Śrī Yoga Narasiṃha Temple, Melukote Hill
The hill shrine above Rāmānuja's town
⭐ Why it is famous
A steep 300-step climb to a small hilltop sanctum of Yoga Narasiṃha, looking down on the Kalyāṇi tank and the Cheluvanārāyaṇa temple where Rāmānuja lived for twelve years.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Tradition ascribes the hill image to Prahlāda; the temple was patronised by the Hoysalas and later the Wodeyars of Mysuru. Melukote became the northern seat of Śrīvaiṣṇavism after Rāmānuja's stay in the twelfth century.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 08:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 19:00
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; the climb is 300 stone steps with rest points
- Vairamudi festival (March–April) is the town's great night
- Puliyogare and cakkarapoṅgal from the temple kitchen are famous
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Śrī Yoga Narasiṃha Temple, Melukote Hill, Melukote, MandyaMandya (MYA) — 32 km
- Government: Melukote KSRTC bus stand, 1 km from the steps
- Private buses: Private buses from Mysuru and Bengaluru to Pandavapura, then local bus
Mysuru (Mandakalli) (MYQ) — 55 km
Mysuru (Mandakalli) (MYQ) — 55 km · UDAN regional flights
51 km from Mysuru and 133 km from Bengaluru; buses every hour from Mandya and Pandavapura.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Basic lodges in Melukote, ₹500–₹1,200
- Hotels in Mandya, ₹1,000–₹2,500
- Mysuru heritage hotels, 51 km
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,400 | ₹3,200 | ₹7,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Kalyāṇi tank
- Rāya Gopura
- Ranganathittu bird sanctuary
📅 Best time to visit
October–March; Vairamudi in Phālguna