Vaikuntha Narayana, or para-Vasudeva, worshipped as the presiding Deity of Melukote, Karnataka by Dr. C. Nandagopal.
The principal deity of Melukote [Mandya district of Karnataka ] is Vishnu in the form of Cheluvanarayanaswamy. 'Cheluva' means charismatic. The antiquity of the place is attributed to Yadavagiri and Dakshina Badarikashrama of ancient times that gained historical importance due to the patronage of the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana. Sri Ramanujacharya had to leave Sriangam to avoid the persecution and entered the Hoysala territory following the course of the river Cauvery.
Ramanathapura is the entry point of Sri Ramanuja in Karnataka, and he stayed for a while at Saligraama. Later he proceeded to Tondanur on the assurance of the Hoysala King. Hoysala Bittrideva a Jaina King was greatly impressed by the devotional fervor and philosophy and Ramanuja and became the disciple of Ramanuja and changed his name to Vishnuvardhana. The legend has it that Ramanuja (in a dream) discovered the idol of Tirunarayana in an anthill surrounded by thick vegetation and small streams. Situated in a small extended valley with a raised hillock Melukote even today is appealing with its natural habitat untouched by urban vagaries.
The principal deity of Melukote [Mandya district of Karnataka ] is Vishnu in the form of Cheluvanarayanaswamy. 'Cheluva' means charismatic. The antiquity of the place is attributed to Yadavagiri and Dakshina Badarikashrama of ancient times that gained historical importance due to the patronage of the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana. Sri Ramanujacharya had to leave Sriangam to avoid the persecution and entered the Hoysala territory following the course of the river Cauvery.
Ramanathapura is the entry point of Sri Ramanuja in Karnataka, and he stayed for a while at Saligraama. Later he proceeded to Tondanur on the assurance of the Hoysala King. Hoysala Bittrideva a Jaina King was greatly impressed by the devotional fervor and philosophy and Ramanuja and became the disciple of Ramanuja and changed his name to Vishnuvardhana. The legend has it that Ramanuja (in a dream) discovered the idol of Tirunarayana in an anthill surrounded by thick vegetation and small streams. Situated in a small extended valley with a raised hillock Melukote even today is appealing with its natural habitat untouched by urban vagaries.
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