Melkote is sacred town in Karnataka which is the abode of Lord Thirunarayana which I had dealt in my previous article.Vyramudi �diamond crown is synonymous with this temple.
There is an interesting story about how the Vyramudi reached Melkote. Prahalada's on Virochana stole the diamond crown from the Lord Mahavishnu when he was .in deep slumber. Virochana then hid it in the Nether world �Patala loka .As desired by the devotees Garuda, Mahavishnu's mode of transport went to Patala loka and brought back the crown.
He succeeded in his mission after a duel with Virochana. While returning with the crown he was attracted towards an ethereal Nadam wafting in the air. He looked down to view the spectacular scene of lord Krishna playing the flute in Brindavan.Garuda worshiped the lord and handed over the crown to him. Krishna placed it on Cheluvaraya's head his family deity. It suited the deity perfectly.
Krishna's brother Balarama was on a pilgrimage and halted at Yadavadri-Melkote.
He was bewildered to see the resemblance between their family deity Cheluvaraya and the presiding deity at Melkote Thirunarayana �Moolavar .
On his return to Dwaraka, Balarama informed Krishna about the similarities of the deities.
Thus both Krishna and Balarama brought Cheluvaraya with the diamond crown �Vyramudi and installed the lord in Melkote. Even now the practice of bringing the Cheluvaraya swami to the temple is held symbolically. Brahma was responsible for the deities being consecrated here.
Moolavar �Thirunarayana Perumal
Utsavar- Cheluvaraya Swami(Chella Pillai)
The temple has a Chaturmukha Gopuram ( four equal sided) which looks alike from all four sides. It is believed that Hanuman is guarding the temple . The almighty blesses his devotees with Chanku and Chakra. The goddess is seated at the feet of the lord �Varanandi..The god preached the Dwaya mantra to Lakshmi in this hallowed shrine. The Vyramudi Seva is held on the tamil month of Panguni( March15th-April 15th) every year. Let us see how it is celebrated in the next article
Melkote part 1- Melkote is the abode of Lord TiruNarayana......
( To be contd.)
Usha Raja