Photo 1 / 4Pillared hall and gopuram. Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Melukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple
About the Temple
The Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple sits in the hill town of Melukote, about 50 km north of Mysuru. Tradition links it closely to Ramanuja, who is said to have installed the deity around 1099 CE. The temple is best known for the night Vairamudi procession, when the deity wears a diamond crown, and the Yoga Narasimha shrine crowns the hill above the town.
Why visit
- Visit a Vishnu temple tied to Ramanuja and the Sri Vaishnava tradition.
- Climb to the Yoga Narasimha hilltop shrine and see the Kalyani temple tank.
Temple Timings
Opening hours are not confirmed yet.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
Darshan hours were not confirmed from an official source. Ask the temple office before you travel, and allow for a midday closure. The Vairamudi Brahmotsava, usually in March or April, brings very large crowds and an overnight procession.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1.5 hours to 3 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Dress modestly in traditional clothes and remove footwear at the temple entrance.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
A phone rule for the temple was not confirmed; ask at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
Melukote is a hilltop town and the Yoga Narasimha shrine needs a stair climb. Step counts and wheelchair routes were not confirmed.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
Highlights
- Vairamudi diamond crown
During the Brahmotsava the deity wears the diamond-studded Vairamudi crown in an overnight street procession.
- Ramanuja's temple
Ramanuja is said to have installed the deity in 1099 CE after finding the image here, and the temple was completed in 1104 CE.
- Yoga Narasimha hill shrine
A Narasimha temple on the rocky hilltop overlooks the Kaveri valley. Devotees believe Prahlada installed the image.
- Kalyani tank
The large stepped temple tank and its mantapas have appeared in many Indian films.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Melukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple
- By air: Mysore Airport (Mandakalli) (MYQ) · about 50 km
- By train: Mandya Junction · about 35 km
- By road: Melukote is about 50 km north of Mysuru and about 140 km from Bengaluru via NH275. Carry water for the climb up the hill.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, SrirangapatnaThe Adi Ranga Vishnu shrine on the Kaveri island.26 km away
- Ranganathittu Bird SanctuaryA Ramsar-listed wetland of Kaveri islets.29 km away
- Mysore PalaceThe Wadiyar royal palace in central Mysuru, lit up during Dasara.40 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, wikidata.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
What are the Melukote Cheluvanarayana Temple timings?
Opening hours are not confirmed yet. Check with the temple before you go.
Can I take my phone inside Melukote Cheluvanarayana Temple?
A phone rule for the temple was not confirmed; ask at the entrance.
When is the Vairamudi festival at Melukote?
The 13-day Brahmotsava usually falls in March or April, often early April. The diamond-crown procession runs overnight on Pushya nakshatra. Check the temple's announcement for the exact date each year.
How far is Melukote from Mysuru?
About 50 km north of Mysuru. Mandya railway junction is about 35 km away.
What should I wear to Melukote temple?
Traditional, modest clothes. Footwear comes off at the temple entrance.
What is the Yoga Narasimha temple at Melukote?
A shrine to Narasimha on the rocky hilltop above the town, looking over the Kaveri valley. Devotees believe Prahlada installed the image.