Melukote

Yoganarasimha and Cheluvaraya swami temple
This was our long awaited and pending picnic from past few months. We thought of going on May end but somehow it got delayed. Anyways we could make it this time. It was 25th Jul we experienced series bomb blasts in B'lore city. SO we thought of postponing our picnic this time,so we mailed each other and dropped the plan. So after going to home according to the news,we got to know that those bombs were low intensity and couldn't cause much damage and public no need to worry. This was the boosting statements for us and we again decided to stick to our plans. So we have planned to start at 6:30am.
Me Naveen,Praveen,Shyam,Avi,Abhi we six left with three pulsar bikes. Since we left early there was not much traffic and once we got Mysore highway it was traffic free road. May be ppl were scared to comeout due to blasts. We reached chennapattna and then Mandya,took the divertion from there and headed to Melukote temple. The farmers are growing sugarcanes there and making jaggery. We could savour the smell of jaggery,so nice it was. When we reached Melukote it was started drizzling. We reached the foot of the hill,left our bikes and shoes there and started to climb the steps. I think the temple has got nearly 1000 steps. The God Yoganarasimha on the top of the hill. The temples are 900 years old and are very beautiful with carvings around the temple.
At the foot of the temple there is a lake called Kalyani kere. Which is very huge and beautiful. I really getting angry on uncultured ppl who making it dirty by writing their names and their lovers name.

Kalyani kere
Later we visited Cheluvaraya swami temple which is also beautiful one. There, one of an Iyengar who was marketing his puliyogare. I heard about it so we thought we could taste it. It was amazing and really tasty one. So we planned to pack it for us and visit the Rayagopura and Akka thangi Kola.

Rayagopura
Rayagopura became famous now a days after shooting Barso re song from Guru. This is a nice monument with carvings. The below Rayagopura there is two lakes called Akka and thanki kere. Thangi kere water is sweet and Akka kere salty. We had our puliyogare there and had sweet pongal too. We could see chariot of Chelvaraya temple were pulled by devotees. We again came back to puliyogare hut and had sweet pongal. Now we thought of going to Thonnur kere and later Srirangapattana. So we started our bike and headed towards Jakkahalli and from there to pandavapura. So we reached near to thonnur kere and walked for a while to reach the top.


Thonnur kere
The lake was too huge and beautiful. Looks very deep too. It was already 3.00pm so we dropped our plans to Srirangapattana and headed back to B'lore. While we were back it was very cloudy and started to pour. So we stopped in Mandya and had a cup of tea and Maddur vada and continued and reached B'lore by 6:30pm.
What is the story:
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Due to incessant wars between native Hindu kings and invading Muslims the place got ruined. The main deity Cheluvanarayana got buried under the ruins. The Utsavamurthy was however taken away to Delhi, along with the other riches of the temple, by the king Mohammed Badshah.

Sri Ramanuja (born in 1017AD) was camping in Thondanur for propogating Srivaishnavism due to the strong influence of Jainism in the region then. He brought many people into the folds of Srivaishnavism including King Vishnuvardhana. One night, Ramanuja dreamt of Lord Cheluvanarayana beckoning him to unearth the Vishnu idol from the ruins, in a nearby place. With the help of King Vishnuvardhana and his army, Ramanuja arrived in Yadavadri in 1099, and dug up the idol of Cheluvanarayana and reinstalled the Lord in a newly constructed temple. He also established regular prayers and processes for the Lord. From then, the place gained the name "Yathishaila" (Saint Hill).
Once the main deity was established, Ramanuja felt the need for a utsavamurthy in the temple. Again Lord Cheluvanarayana informed in a dream that the temple’s utsavamurthy was available in Delhi in the palace of the king. In spite of his old age, Ramanuja immediately travelled to Delhi and approached the king with all his radiance and charm. He requested the king for the return of the idol of his dreams. The muslim king, who was highly impressed by Ramanuja’s power and devotion agreed to return the idol. The idol however was in possession of the young princess who was deeply attached to its beauty. The princess agreed to hand over the idol to Ramanuja with great difficulty. Ramanuja accepted the idol and started on his return journey to Melkote. The princess who could not bear the separation followed the idol with Ramanuja to Melkote. Even today, there is a small idol of the princess at the feet of Ramapriya in her memory and is identified as "Bibi Nacchiar" (Muslim Angel).
Today, Melkote (known as Thirunarayanpuram among Srivaishnavas) is one of the four most sacred centres of Srivaishnavism in South India, the others being Sriranagam, Thirumalai and Kanchipuram. Ramanujacharya composed the following chant (shloka) in recognition of the places,
The main deity in Srirangam is in a sleeping posture and hence the place is called "Bhoga Mantapam" (House of relaxation). Thirumalai is called "Pushpa Mantapam" (House of flowers) as the deity is always decorated with flowers. Kanchipuram is known as "Thyaga Mantapam" (House of relinquishment) as the main deity bestows the devotees. Thirunarayanapuram is known as "Gnana Mantapam" (House of Knowledge) as the main deity radiates knowledge.

Lord Narasimha Temple:
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Temple of Lord Narasimha on top of the hill is one of the oldest temples in the area. It is a picturesque view from the temple. On a clear day visitors have sighted Sri Gomateswara statue of Sravanabelagola from the roof of the Lord Narasimha temple. The cave below the temple commonly known as "Bilswarga" is an extraordinary cave that goes right under Lord Narasimha's idol. It is a challenging trip down the cave with very tight spaces.

Others:
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Dont miss the Puliyogare and sweet pongal of Iyengars. You can try curdrice as well which is really delicious.

Nandi hills

Nandi hills

We have planned to go to nandi hills on friday and decided to start saturday(5Jul08) early morning to see the sunrise,contacted all our picnic buddies but many people busy on saturday. So we four only decided to go by Pulsar 180 and 150. It was a amazing and thrilling picnic,we started from BTM around 4am in the morning and reached there around 5:30am. We never started so early before to any places from B'lore (but I do remember that we had started at 2:00am to Jog falls once when I was in Udupi).It was a nice chilling ride in NH-7. It was cloudy and full of mist,one cant makeout the road more than 10mtrs. We started so early because we wanted to see the sunrise. So we reached there around 5:30am and we could wait for a while since they only opens the gate after 6:00am. So we took few snaps there. It was drizzling at that time.Waw so romantic atmosphere,we could see couples going around by holding their hands ;) So we went inside after taking the tickets,We had a nice time pass there and crazy moment was we had Amul forstick in that chilling climate..Saw the tippu drop and waited for sunrise. We couldn't got to see proper sunrise but our journey was worth to be frank. Sun was playing around and hiding behind clouds always.

The morning beauty of Nandi hills

After we finished enjoying the nature we came down and decided to move back. We didnt have our breakfast yet. So thought of having breakfast somewhere,it was already 9am. So we started our bikes and reached the the Nandi town. So now we thought of visiting bhoga narasimha temple. What next?? our bikes already headed towards the temple road...Its a historical temple and huge one too.

Bhoga narasimha temple and Shringi kere
We went inside and prayed to God. One could see nice carvings so attractive. We saw the lake called Shringi theertha were monkeys swimming. Amazing,I never saw it before..they are putting dive too. After that we had a breakfast and We started back and reached back to B'lore at 12:30pm. Thanks to Shyam,Naveen,Sathya who made it to happen.

Few things about Nandi Hills:

This range of craggy hills (the highest peak being 1,478 m) holds the shimmering Amrita Sarovar Lake and offers walks of sylvan beauty. A popular health resort today, it was also the place Tipu Sultan and assorted royalty retired when they sought to escape the din of battle and the heat of the plains.
The hills are located about 60km north of Bangalore and about 3940 ft above sea level. The deviation road at Oordagere on the Bangalore-Tumkur Road can reach it. On the top of the hill, there are temples dedicated to Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha. On the lower hill there is a temple dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha. There is a Traveler's Bungalow and a Kalyana Mantap on the top of the hill and a Forest Lodge and Taluk Board T.B. at the foot of the hill.
A flight of 1,175 steps leads from the base of the hills to the top. On top was Tipu Sultan's summer retreat and the remains of Tipu's fort bear this out. Tipu's Drop, a 600 metre high cliff face, where prisoners were hurled down the precipice, is an awe-inspiring sight.
Sir Mark Cubbon, when he was Commissioner of Bangalore made this his summer residence. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Queen Elizabeth II were among the other dignitaries who enjoyed their stay here. More recently, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and the SAARC delegates chose this spot for a retreat after their international deliberations.
You can visit this place at any time of the year. Its best if you are on top of the hill before sunrise. The wind, fog and clouds that blow towards you in the morning is just amazing. To be on top of the hill by 5:30 AM, you need to leave bangalore at around 4 AM. If you are not sure about the route, leave even earlier.

Bangalore to Nandi Hills directions-> From Hebbal flyover take NH7 and then turn right to Devanahalli after about 30 km.From there go till BIAL airport and then take a left diversion at the entry of Chikballapur.The left diversion is too easy to miss since there is no signboard in English.Look out for mount view resorts board .Only when you turn left there is a board ten meters ahead which says Nandi Hills 22 Km.
See
• Tippus Drop the place from where Tippu made his prisoners fall .
• Tippus Summer Residence a beautiful palace on top of this hill. This palace is closed to the general public .
• Temples There are temples dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha .
• Rivers The rivers Pennar, Palar and Arkavati originate from these hills.Most of the sources have dried up .
• Brahmashram It is said that Sage Ramakrishna Paramhamsa meditated here.Its a cool cave .
• Nandi At the foot of Nandi Hills is this place with "Bhoganandishwaraswamy Temple",it is a Wonderful Place.(A Must visit)
• Muddenahalli The home town of Sri M.Visveswaraya, the architect of modern Karnataka. Muddenahalli is just a few Kilometers from Nandi Hills. The house of this genius is now a museum.(A Must visit)
• Paapagni The Panchanandikshtra. Visit it is Only 3kms from Chikballapur. (A Must visit)
• Chikballapur Sri M.Visveswaraya done his school Days in this place.And Also visit SSS Temple (Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Subramanya, Sri Shanimahaathma Temple ), H.S. Garden, Chikballapur.