The route to Melukote from Bangalore is via Mandya. After taking a right turn on the highway, we travel through serene Indian countryside. The green belt of Mandya is rich in sugarcane plantations, and a treat for one’s sore urban eyes.

It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Melukote from Bangalore. Once we arrive, we head straight out to the large tank which is locally known as kalyani. Almost every temple in South India features a water body known as kalyani or pushkarini.

The Kalyani in Melukote is unusually large. Many regional movies have been shot here for its dramatic views.

Pilgrims use the kalyani for ritual cleansing. Consequently, a lot of interesting activities take place around the kalyani.

We spend the first half watching and taking photographs of people around the kalyani.

A number of old Dasayyas spend the day near the kalyani. Dasayyas are men with huge trumpets and colorful namaas who bless people and sing praises of God.

If you hear loud trumpet sounds, don’t be alarmed! The dassayas are doing their job.

The dassayas bless the pilgrims by putting a tilak or namma on the forehead.

The corridor around the kalyani has beautiful stone pillars which makes for an interesting composition.

Moving on from the kalyani, we have lunch at Subbanna’s Mess. This place is famous for puliyogere and sweet pongal – a dish that Iyengars know best to make.

After lunch, we go to see a structure known as Raya Gopura. This is an unfinished building at the back of the town.

From the Raya Gopura, walking down, we reach two tanks beside each other known as Akka Thangi Kola. This literally translates into ‘two sisters tank’. The water in one tank is potable, while in the other it isn’t.

There are plenty of old structures and temples scattered around the town. This one is near the Akka Thangi Kola.

From the Akka Thangi Kola, we walk past the Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple. If lucky, you’ll get to meet this very photogenic priest 🙂

If not this one, there are others!

We may also come across students of the Vedas who reside in Melkote.

The town bazaar near the temple has managed to retain its old world charm. This is an opportunity to see locals and photograph them.

The local villagers go about their activities oblivious to the pilgrims and tourists, like this lady who was drawing a huge rangoli.

Most houses in Melukote are quite old, which adds to the flavor of the place.

If the weather is right, we also stop by Danush Koti. This is about a kilometer away from Raya Gopura. From this place, you get a panoramic view of the landscape around Melkote.

Crossing the bazaar, we arrive at the kalyani once again. From there we start walking up to the Yoganarasimha temple.

It takes about 45 minutes to climb up to the temple, which is on top of a hill. The walk up on the stone stairway is very interesting.

Occasionally, you may get to meet the priest of the  Yoga Narasimha Temple. As per tradition, the priest carries water up the stairs before opening the temple doors in the evening. Imagine carrying a large vessel of water up a 100 stairs!

We reach the top of the hill in time for sunset. From here, we have a beautiful view of the town of Melkote.

We close the day at sun down after witnessing the sunset. This is a great reward for staying on foot all day and exploring the temple town of Melkote.

Street Photography in Melkote

Melkote is a great place to shoot portraits of people, happenings and every day life. The streets of Melkote is full of photography opportunities Here are photographs that I have shot in Melkote over the years.

 

I lead mentored photography day trips to Melkote. This is a temple town near Mysore, in Mandya district. The photos here were shot during my many visits. On the day of the tour, we leave Bangalore early in the morning, spend 6-7 hours in Melkote, and return the same day.