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 Vyramudi
Seva is a famous Utsavam in this temple town. This is performed in
the tamil month of Panguni (march15th-april15th). It is supposed to
be a 10 day event .But is celebrated for almost a fortnight. There
is a float festival which is a part of Vyramudi Seva and it has
several names. Teppa Utsava, float festival. Teppa Jatra etc.. This
festival of Barge as it also called is held in Dhara Mantap in
Kalyani lake.
The celestial wedding of Cheluvaraya with Cheluvanayaki takes place
in the sylvan surroundings with trees plants and water witnessing
the event. It is a feast to the eyes.
On the 4th day of the Carnival coinciding with
the Pushya star Cheluvaraya wears the Vyramudi. It is a glittering
crown studded with diamonds and precious gems. This crown is carried
to Melkote with full honors from the government treasury at Mandya..
The deity wears the crown and visits all the places in Melkote
amidst chanting of scriptures by the Vedic pundits.
Similar to this there is another festival called
Krishnarayamudi Utsava. The kings of Mysore were ardent devotees of
Cheluvaraya and rendered services to the temple.
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar gifted a crown to
similar to that of Vyramudi to the deity. Studded with precious gems
and priceless diamonds the deity wears the crown gifted by the
Mysore king on Ashada month . this festival is called
Krishnarajamudi.
The deities have blessed their devotees and let
us read about the divine intervention.
 Long ago Sucharita the temple priest had to go
out of town and asked his son Narayana to perform the duties of a
priest. Thus the child Narayana offered rice as neiveidhyam to the
God and begged to partake the food,. He was perturbed that God did
not take even a morsel of food. The innocent boy pleaded with the
God. The almighty known for his benevolence did not disappoint the
child and accepted the offering . Narayana told his mother about the
incident and his mother was shocked beyond words. She became furious
as she thought that he was bluffing. She ordered him to go around
the streets for alms .Cheluvanayaki moved at the boys devotion gave
him alms personally . She gifted him precious gems and diamonds when
he went around the streets. Thus his family became prosperous by
Gods blessings..
Melkote is inextricably interwoven with a
renowned spiritual preceptor. Who is he?
Melkote 1
Melkote 2
( To be contd.)
Usha Raja
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