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