Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The Utsav murthy (metallic procession idol) representing the deity is referred as Cheluvapille Raya whose original name appears to have been Ramapriya. It is believed that the utsav murthy was worshipped by Lord Rama and his son Kusha, hence the name Ramapriya. Cheluvanarayana in Kannada means, A very Handsome Narayana. Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple is facing in East direction and the Gopuram of the temple reflects, Mysore Vudayar type of architecture. The Rajagopura is an incomplete structure leading to the Melukote hill, which is a scenic place and people can see the aerial view of the surroundings. A stone cut inscription of a beautifully adorned temple elephant with bells on its side, it is said that Tipu Sultan had gifted elephants during his reign of Mysore, Statue of Yoga Narasimha on one of the granite pillars and a huge Dwajastamba (a pillar), which was made out of a single rock. The temple walls are Shadowed recesses, moss grown masonry walls, outer walls of the entire temple have a pillared corridor. The deity of Ramapriya is in the Ranga Mandapam hall in front of the sanctum and Outer walls of the entire temple have a pillared corridor, where these pillars have intricately carved sculptures decorated on them. On one of the pillars of navaranga of the Narayana swami temple is a bas relief about 1.5 feet (0.46 m) high, of Raja Wodeyar, standing with folded hands, with the name inscribed on the base. Before the main sanctum of Sri Cheluvanarayana, is a pillar with the structure of Garuda carved out. The block-shaped stone steps have arched pillows, for tourists to lean on them and take rest.

Koneru :

• The temple infrastructure boasts of a large pond called as Kalyani. The beauty of the steps leading to water and the mantapas built all around are such that it has been captured in many Indian films. Large pond constructed near the foothills, just next to the main steps of the temple. This pond is built of stone and is in the shape of a stepped well.
• Behind this temple, the sisters’ ponds (elder and younger sisters, Akka-Tangi kola) are located.
• According to the Isvara-samhita, when Lord Krishna in his incarnation as Lord Varaha lifted the earth from the universal ocean, some drops of water clinging to his body fell on the hill at Melukote, creating Kalyani Pond.

Pancha Kalyani Pond : The pond is very big with mantaps, Bhuvaneshwari mantap is located here. Kalyani Pond, the chief of several sacred ponds in Melukote by sprinkling some of its water on our heads.