Melukote

This place is situated 3589 feet high on Yadugiri hill, 24 km north from the taluk centre Pandavapura, 40 km northwest from the district centre Mandya and 130 km southwest from the state capital Bangalore. An important historical and religious centre, this is also referred as Theerthakshetrapura. This sacred place was the headquarters of the Sri Vaishnava pontiff Ramanujacharya, the propagator of the Vishisthadvaita Siddhanta for few years. Recently discovered line drawings on a boulder at Melukote as well as the burials called Pandavara gavi on the hill range show that this was a habitation site of the Megalithic people. A local legend says that Melukote, the residence of god Narayana was Narayanadri in Kritayuga, Vedadri in Tretayuga, Yadavadri in Dwaparayuga and Yatishaila in Kaliyuga. The Dhanushkoti is said to be the place formed by the arrow used by Rama to meet the thrist of Sita. The caves to the left of the road to the Yoganarasimha temple are called ‘Pandava Gudi’ and the worn-out boulders, as the plates used by the Pandavas. There are also relics of the Megalithic culture.

The name ‘Melukote’ is because of the fort on the hill and the place is spread over an area of about 15 square kms. Since the place is at a strategic position, it became a camping place during the Hoysala regime.