Nano Technology in Electronics

Nanotechnology has already reached the electronics industry with features in microprocessors now less than 100 nanometres (nm) in size (Intel’s Prescott processor uses 90 nm size features). Smaller sizes allow faster processing times and also more processing power to be packed into a given area. However, these advances are really only a continuation of existing microelectronics, and will reach their limit sometime around the end of the next decade (2018 or so) when it will be both physically impossible to “write” or “etch” smaller features in silicon, and also because at extremely small sizes (less than 20 nm) silicon becomes electrically “leaky” causing short circuits.


Nanoelectronics on the otherhand offer a new approach for the electronics industry in the form of new circuit materials, processors, information storage and even ways of transferring information such as optoelectronics.






















Nanoelectronics: Company Directory
Company - Products or Projects

Motorola - Nanoemmissive displays

Freescale - Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM)

Nanochip - Memory chips that use nano-scale probe tips to read and write data

HP - Self-assembled nanostructures

IBM - Nanophotonics

Intel - Integrated circuits with nano-sized features

California Molecular - Molecule sized switches and other devices
Electronics Corp.

















Nanoelectronics: Resources

Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Lab

Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs

Nanoelectronics Research Initiative

Center for Electron Transport in Molecular Nanostructures at Columbia University

NASA Announces 2012 Destruction Probable

NASA recently published report detailing new magnetism on the Sun that will probably result in Major Solar Changes and destruction of satellite communications, GPS, Air Traffic, and Power Grids.

The report is published on HERE and clearly states that a new Solar Cycle is possible resulting from a knot of magnetism that popped over the sun's eastern limb on Dec. 11th 2007.


The report goes on to mention specific years which major Earthly impact will be seen. The exact quote which mentions these years states

"Many forecasters believe Solar Cycle 24 will be big and intense. Peaking in 2011 or 2012, the cycle to come could have significant impacts on telecommunications, air traffic, power grids and GPS systems. (And don't forget the Northern Lights!) In this age of satellites and cell phones, the next solar cycle could make itself felt as never before."

I find it quite a coincidence that this major happening is forecasted for 2012, as this exact timing correlates to the ancient Mayan prediction of the end of the dimension.

The 2012 (End Of The World) theory has been gaining much popularity the last few years. Some predictions include a great human consciousness awakening, the rise of the anti-christ, alien visitation and attacks, a polar flip, and a great alignment in which the Sun will line up with the center of the galaxy causing massive destruction.

Although we are not sure of the exact events that will transpire, the evidence is becoming clear that something is in store for us Earthlings.

Many people are starting to prepare both physically and mentally for the upcoming changes, but as of now, trustworthy guides on exact preparation plans are scarce. As this situation winds down, and we get closer to the predicted final year, we can only hope more information becomes available to us.

Indian Population; A bane or a boon?

Indian Population; A bane or a boon?

Many say that India’s population is her strength; the average age of Indian population is 30 which is a greatest advantage. Perhaps; nevertheless, I always get mislead or confused about this statement. If the average age of the populace is on the young and favorable side and the manpower is high, all things should move fast in India, is it not?



On the contrary, we get delayed everywhere. Right from the road transport especially on the metropolis the swarming people and moving vehicles cause more chaos than easy flow. True, the young people of present day get a job across the counter; all in the field of computers and software for attractive pay pockets. But are we the real beneficiary? Are they doing the job for India and its population? All they do is for the developed nations where manpower is not only less but also expensive; so these are outsourced to Indian young people. Well, our economy has grown strong and the buying power is good; again who reap the harvest? The multinational with their aggressive sales tricks take back through innumerable consumer goods crowding the market.



Wherever we go we find only crowd; right from temples to hospitals. Can this be called a good sign? In all these places the movements are excruciatingly slow and painful. The process of waiting in every place almost saps most of our energy.



India ’s population growth and the chaotic and anomalous situations could be explained by the economic and financial pundits with fancy words; but the reality is something different. Even the economic growth is, to be honest, is disproportionate and follows geometric progression only in certain segments. Even a person can afford to have the sleekest car he has no option except to snake through the horrendous roads in the milling crowd. He is forced to breathe the polluted air and wait in the queue for withdrawing money from the ATMs.


Only linear growths are sustainable; whether it is population or finance. I am afraid such phenomenal raise will one day find unceremonious fall only.



According to the 2001 Census, India’s population was 102.9 crores. Viewed in a global context, India constitutes 16.9 per cent of world population and 2.4 per cent of the global land area. Currently, India’s population is estimated to be around 111.2 crores.

The population of India grew by 21.6 per cent in the first decade following Independence; the rate rose to 24.8 per cent during the next decade. The growth began declining from the third decade onwards and in between 1991 and 2001; it declined to 21.5 per cent. Despite population growth in India declining steadily over the last two decades, the population size is increasing because of the high proportion of young people in the reproductive age group. The population size will continue to grow for some more time because of the "population momentum" factor. The high population growth rate in some parts of the country is due to the large size of the population in the reproductive age group, higher fertility due to lack of contraception, and high wanted fertility due to the high infant mortality rate (IMR).

According to the report of the Registrar General of India, Technical Group on Population Projections:

(A)The population of India is expected to increase from 1,029 million to 1,400 million during the period 2001-2026-an increase of 36 per cent in 25 years at the rate of 1.2 per cent annually.

(B)The Crude Birth Rate will decline from 24.1 in 2004 to 16.0 during 2021-25 because of the decreasing level of total fertility.

(C)The IMR, reported to be 58 in 2004, is expected to decline to 40 by the end of the period 2021-25.

(D) With declining fertility and increase in life expectancy, the number of older people is expected to more than double, from 71 million in 2001 to 173 million in 2026.

(E)The urban population, which was 28 per cent in 2001, is expected to increase to 38 per cent by 2026.

(F)The total fertility rate (TFR) is expected to decline from three in 2003 to two during 2021-25. The assumption is that the TFR would decline steadily and touch the floor value of 1.8 in some states.

With this, the weighted TFR is projected to reach the replacement level of 2.1 by 2021-25.

Population stabilisation is not merely about numbers, it has to be looked at in the context of wider socio-economic development. It does not matter if, in the process, we don’t stabilise by 2045 (as indicated in the National Population Policy (NPP), 2000-it could be achieved by 2050 or 2060. But what is of greater concern is how we approach the issue of population stabilisation. It should be a gender-balanced and rights-based approach rather than a top-down authoritarian approach.

The "two-child norm" can cause immense harm to women’s health in the existing social situation, where the preference for a son is high and the woman’s status is still very low.
One of the important risks includes increase in sex-selective abortion and consequent reduction in the number of girl children.

It is being increasingly recognised that social investments help in attaining the goal of slower population growth. Improving access to and equity in quality health care, education and opportunities for women is a matter of human rights. It also empowers women and results in smaller, but healthier families.

Family planning and other population stabilisation programmes should form an integral part of the comprehensive primary health care programmes and need to be based on "community needs assessment".

Micro planning with community needs assessment can help identify and address the local problems through more acceptable strategies.

Women’s health can be better taken care of with such a decentralised approach. The twin issues of gender and equity should be over-arching while implementing the NPP.
In the planning stage itself, certain minimum and practical indicators of quality of care should be incorporated and monitored. The emphasis on complete registration of births, marriages, pregnancies and deaths can inform the planners of the current and the future status of the population and help them review policies at various stages.

India is emerging as a regional-or even global power in not too distant future. The demographic advantage to be derived from the age structure of the population is traced to the fact that India is (and perhaps will remain for some time) one of the youngest countries in the world. The population of India could be its biggest asset, if appropriate policies are formulated and implemented with people’s participation. We can reap the demographic dividend as we stabilise our population over the next 50 years.

Temples in Bangalore

Temples in Bangalore

Bull Temple at Basavanagudi



A temple built in the Dravidian style by Kempe Gowda, founder of Bangalore, it has a monolithic bull, made of gray granite which is 4.5 mts high and 6.5 mts long. The Nandi bull is revered as the 'vahana' (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. The temple was supposedly built to appease a bull that devoured all the groundnuts/peanuts grown in the area. The bull stopped inflicting damage and the thankful farmers held a Groundnut Fair (Kadalekai Parase) near the temple premises which continues even to this day! The monolithic Nandi bull is . One can also visit one of Kempe Gowda's four towers situated near the temple.

Banashankari Temple on Kanakapura Road

The uniqueness of Sri Banashankari Amma Temple is that the deity, Banashankari Amma is worshipped in Rahukala, an inauspicious time according to Hindu belief. The area, Banashankari is named after the goddess. Situated on the busy Kanakapura Road, it is one of the most popular temples of Bangalore. Devotees believe that by worshipping the goddess Banashankari Amma in Rahukala one's hardships and poverty will be removed.
Considering the large number of devotees who come to the temple, the Government of Karnataka has taken it into the purview of the Endowment Department. Though the temple is opened to devotees everyday, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are special days when thousands of devotees throng to the temple from dawn to dusk to offer special Pujas. The goddess is worshipped with deeparaadhane by lighting multiple oil lamps in half cut lemon peels with the pulp removed.
The temple was built in 1915 by a devotee, Somanna Shetty who installed a deity of Banashankari Amma brought all the way from Badami in Bijapur district.
There are three big cultural ceremonies that are held annually at the temple. The first one on September 13 every year celebrates the birthday of Banashankari Amma. The temple also conducts the Dasara Festival in October and the temple anniversary in Pushya Maasa, which falls either in the end of December or in the first week of January.

Kadu Mallikarjunaswamy Temple at Malleshwaram

Built in one of the oldest areas in Bangalore - Malleswaram, the temple is on a hillock. As the legend goes, the temple belonged to Chatrapati Shivaji's stepbrother Venkoji, who came upon a 'shivalingam' in 1669 and consecrated the temple around it.

Dodda Ganesha Temple at Basavanagudi



The monolithic Ganesha is about 18 ft in height and 16 ft in width. The God is also known as Shakthi Ganapathi or Satya Ganapathi. People from all walks of life come here to seek blessings. What makes this idol more attractive to the devotees is, the different types of decorations that are done during the week. The most famous is the butter coating of the idol. More than 100 kgs of butter is used for this purpose.

Shiva Statue on Airport Road


The Shiva Temple, located on Airport Road, is seated Shiva in the Himalayas, built in the year 1995. Shiva's idol is a great crowd puller due to its grandeur, aesthetic values, scenic beauty and majestic look. During festivals it draws nearly four to five lakhs of devotees in a day. Puja seva (service) is free of cost for everyoneIt boasts of Awesome 65 feet high depiction of Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position. It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash the Lord's heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks as depicted in the mytholog

Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple



This temple, also located near Basavanagudi, is well known for its remarkable architecture. The Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. Legend has it that the cave temple dates back to the Tretha Yuga. Kempegowda built two of the oldest temples in Bangalore: the Bull temple and the Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is inside a natural cave in Gavipuram. Legend has it that Kempegowda built this temple in gratitude after being released from his five-year imprisonment by Rama Raya. Devotees gather here on Makara Sankaranti day when it is believed that at a particular moment in the evening the sun's rays fall directly on the linga inside the cave, passing between Nandi's horns.

The temple, which roughly covers an area of 300 ft by 200 ft, was renovated during the period of the local chieftain Kempegowda, who is also known as the founder of Bangalore. This dates the temple back to nearly 500 years. The 14-pillared Mantap of the temple has elements of the Vijayanagar style of architecture.

The trishula dhamaruga (a drum attached to a trident), two monolithic pillars called Suryapana and Chandrapana, the towers on the rock outside the temple and a stone wall on the adjoining Harihararaya Gudda were all said to be installed during the Kempegowda period. The most interesting feature of this temple is said to be the two paths inside the cave. It is believed that while one path leads to temple town Shivaganga in Tumkur district, another path leads to Kashi. Apart from the idol of Eshwara with the river Ganga springing from his head, there are also Durga and Parvathi temples inside the cave. If one circumvents these, one can see Sapthamathruke, Sridevi and Bhoodevi idols.

Apart from these idols, there is also the idol of Agnimurthi, which comprises two heads, seven hands and three legs. It is believed that worshipping this deity will cure one of all eye defects. The priest points out that hundreds visit the temple to find an answer to their problems. Mondays see a huge turnout of devotees, he adds. Apart from that, the Shudda Pournami day in February is also a special day at the temple. A car festival is also held during that time.

The temple blends in beautifully with the entire area, which also has a feel of old-world simplicity to it - a little Bangalore away from the fancy and footloose City that we all know of. The well-lit park that adjoins the temple, with fountains et al, is probably the only “modern” element in the vicinity.

The temple is open from 7.30 am to 12.00 pm and again from 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

Dharmaraya Temple



Located in Nagarathpet, this temple has two exceptionally fine images of Lord Krishna and Dharmaraja - hero of the epic 'Mahabharata'. The temple is also well known for the annual Karaga festival.
The Karaga festival - a form of Shakti worship, is celebrated during March/April of every year. The Karaga procession starts from the Dharmaraya temple at Nagarthpet at about 2 am.

ISKCON Temple on West of Chord Road





Sri Radha Krishna temple and cultural complex, which is an architectural masterpiece is set on a seven-acre hillock called the 'Hare Krishna Hill'. This is ISKCON's global project to commemorate the birth centennial of its founder Sri Prabhupada. Built in the Neo-Classical style, it combines traditional elements of temple architecture with high-tech utilities. Ornamental arches and illuminated water cascades lead to an elaborately decorated Rajagopuram. There is a unique open air amphitheatre for concerts and festivals.The four temple 'gopurams' are connected by a stunning glazed glass canopy which forms the main 'Hari Naam Kirtan' - a hall of 10,000 square feet. The hall has wonderful ceiling paintings. There are also Vedic museums and exhibit areas, a lecture hall with multiple language translation system and landscaped gardens. The main attraction is ISKCON Vedic Theatre, where a multimedia Vedic film is shown.

Prasanna Veeranjaneya Temple in Mahalaxmi Layout


The uniqueness of the Prasanna Veeranjaneya temple, apart from the 22-foot-high deity of Veeranjaneya, is its peaceful atmosphere. The cool breeze and surrounding greenery, coupled with an aura of mysticism, bring solace to devotees visiting the temple.

Sugreeva Venkateshwara Temple



Located in Balepet area, this temple houses idols of Sugreeva and Venkateshwara. The inner shrine of the temple has an idol of Lord Venkateshwara placed on a pedestal. The Sugreeva idol, which is about six feet in height and appears like Hanuman. The long teeth on either side of the mouth are the only thing which differentiates it from Hanuman.

Kanyakaparameshwari Temple in KumaraPark

Apart from the Goddess which is a popular among the devotees in and around Malleshwaram, the Temple has a fascinating feature - Marble Mandira, murals of holy places and Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir) depicting Rishis, Bhagawada Gita and Vasavi history

Venkataramanswamy Temple

Is a small temple with some interesting carvings, built by Chikkadevaraj Wodeyar. There are figures of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on the walls and an idol of Venkatarama in the sanctorum. After Lord Cornwall's assault, in 1791, the original pillar had to be replaced as it was hit by a cannon ball. Built in typical Dravidian style, this temple has survived through the reign of Chikkadevaraj Wodeyar, Sultan Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.


Vishwashanti Ashram - an ashram dedicated to Bhagavad Gita and Bhakti Yoga


















The Ashram is located around 25 kms from Bangalore (Bengaluru) on Tumkur Road near Nelamangala Town. It is a well kept secret as far as tourists are concerned.

Vishwa Shanthi Ashram was established by Sant Sadguru Keshavdas in 1982, with the objective of promoting world peace and also to spread the teachings of the Gita and Bhakthi Yoga.

The Ashram is well landscaped and cleanly maintained. You can also find the tallest statue of Vijaya Vittala (36 feet), an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and also Gayathri Devi.

Bhagavad Gita Mandir - VishwaShanti Ashram
Another attraction here is the Bhagavad Gita Mandir, where all the verses of Bhagavad Gita are carved on the walls. In front of this Mandir is a beautifully sculpted form of the chariot driven by Lord Krishna.

There are numerous other shrines dedicated to other Gods and Goddesses within the campus. During festivals, it serves free food and Prasadams to numerous devotees that come to this spiritual destination.

How to reach: It is located in Nelamangala town on Tumkur road, about 25 Kms off Bangalore. You can reach Nelamangala and ask fr directions.


Durga Temple @ Vidyaranyapura

With this pic, I am beginning a new series of articles called ‘Explore Bangalore’. The Shikhara or Gopura (gateway tower) clicked below belongs to Sri Kalika Durga Parameshwari temple near Vidyaranyapura. Specialty of this tower is the sheer height, it is 108 feet tall. This temple is very famous for the various kind of special pooja’s are offered to goddess Durga. I had to attend a wedding of my engineering days classmate and since I had a bit of time, thought of visiting this temple!

Within this temple premises, you can find 9 different avatars of this goddess. Also, you can find many more idols including Sri Venkateshwara swamy, Narasimha, Krishna, Hanuman, Vijaya Durga devi, Kalika Devi, Sharabeshwar etc., Also while exiting this temple you can notice Nataraja idol made of cement. You can also notice sculptures all around the temple depicting various stories of the Goddess and Shiva. Since photography is not allowed inside the temple, I couldn’t click any of those except the main tower. See the bigger picture by clicking on the photo.
Durga Temple @ Vidyaranyapura

To reach this temple, you need to travel through ISKCON, Yeshwantpur, BEL circle and then towards Vidyaranya pura via Doddasandra. Special Pooja offered to the god every new moon day and on Tuesday/Friday/Sunday during Rahu kal. The temple also offers free lunch to visitors on special days.

Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar extended his record one-day aggregate to 17,000 runs on Thursday in his 20th season in international cricket.

Tendulkar achieved the mark during the fifth one-day international against Australia when he reached seven runs with a three off pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus past square-leg in his 435th ODI game.

Tendulkar, 36, who also holds the records for the most test runs (12,773), test hundreds (42) and one-day hundreds (44), was nine not out.

India were on 24 without loss, chasing 351 for victory and a 3-2 lead in the seven-match series.

Dr.A P J Abdul Kalam

Abdul Kalam’s Autobiography




Born - 15 October 1931


Achievements - This eminent scientist and engineer has also served as the 11th President of India from the period 2002 to 2007. APJ Abdul Kalam is a man of vision, who is always full of ideas aimed at the development of the country. He firmly believes that India needs to play a more assertive role in international relations.

Apart from being a notable scientist and engineer, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from the period 2002 to 2007. He is a man of vision, who is always full of ideas aimed at the development of the country and is also often also referred to as the Missile Man of India. People loved and respected Dr APJ Abdul Kalam so much during his tenure as President that was popularly called the People's President. Read more about the biography of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam here.

APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 at the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and received honorary doctorates from about 30 universities globally. In the year 1981, the Government of India presented him the nation's highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan and then again, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997. Before Kalam, there have been only two presidents - Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Zakir Hussain - to have received the Bharat Ratna before bring appointed to the highest office in India.

Read on about the life history of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who's also the first scientist and bachelor to occupy the seat of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His perspectives on important topics have been enunciated by him in the book 'India 2020'. It highlights the action plans that will help develop the country into a knowledge superpower by the time 2020. One thing for which he received ample kudos is his unambiguous statement that India needs to play a more assertive role in international relations.

And Dr APJ Abdul Kalam regards his work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower. Even during his tenure as President, APJ Kalam took avid interest in the spheres of India's science and technology. He has even put forward a project plan for establishing bio-implants. He is also an ardent advocate of open source software over proprietary solutions to churn out more profits in the field of information technology in India.




Abdul Kalam’s Quotes


29 Quotes:

1) As a child of God, I am greater than anything that can happen to me.
Abdul Kalam

2) Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness.
Abdul Kalam

3) Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career.
Abdul Kalam

4) Do we not realize that self respect comes with self reliance?
Abdul Kalam

5) Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.
Abdul Kalam

6) English is necessary as at present original works of science are in English. I believe that in two decades times original works of science will start coming out in our languages. Then we can move over like the Japanese.
Abdul Kalam

7) God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers.
Abdul Kalam

8) Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended.
Abdul Kalam

9) I was willing to accept what I couldn't change.
Abdul Kalam

10) If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.
Abdul Kalam

11) If we are not free, no one will respect us.
Abdul Kalam

12) In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.
Abdul Kalam

13) It means, people who are in high and responsible positions, if they go against righteousness, righteousness itself will get transformed into a destroyer.
Abdul Kalam

14) Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.
Abdul Kalam

15) Life is a difficult game. You can win it only by retaining your birthright to be a person.
Abdul Kalam

16) Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
Abdul Kalam

17) Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.
Abdul Kalam

18) My view is that at a younger age your optimism is more and you have more imagination etc. You have less bias.
Abdul Kalam

19) No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.
Abdul Kalam

20) Tell me, why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognise our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
Abdul Kalam

21) Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.
Abdul Kalam

22) To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.
Abdul Kalam

23) Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.
Abdul Kalam

24) We have not invaded anyone. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them.
Abdul Kalam

25) We must think and act like a nation of a billion people and not like that of a million people. Dream, dream, dream!
Abdul Kalam

26) We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.
Abdul Kalam

27) We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage.
Abdul Kalam

28) Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? Is it a legacy of our colonial years? We want foreign television sets. We want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported?
Abdul Kalam

29) You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
Abdul Kalam

Melukote

Melukote in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district ,Karnataka ,is one of the sacred places in Karnataka. The place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram. It is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Cauvery valley. It is about 51 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore.




From Bangalore
One can reach Melkote from Bangalore by car/taxi/bus by travelling on the Bangalore Mysore state highway and reaching the Mandya town. Just after Mandya, there is a right turn which goes to Melkote. Alternatively, one can take any of the numerous trains that go from Bangalore to Mandya and then take a bus/taxi from Mandya to Melkote. There are some buses which go directly from Bangalore to Melkote.

From Mysore
There are buses that go from Mysore to Melkote. Alternatively, one can catch a bus that goes from Mysore to Tumkur (and onwards) and get down at a place called Jakkanahalli Cross. Melkote is around 6 km from there. Bus start from Platform No.2 of Mysore Bus Stand. Charges Rs.32/per adult. From Jakkanahalli Cross lots of share auto's pay charge Rs.6/per person. Self Hire autos charge Rs.50 until Chelvanarayanan temple.

Route: Mysore -> Srirangapata (Take a left after crossing second Kaveri bridge) -> Pandavapura -> Jakkanahalli Cross -> Melkote


History

View of Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple


Early in twelfth century, the great Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya took up his residence and lived here for about 14 years (said so). It thus became a prominent centre of the Srivaishnava sect of Brahmins, who obtained from the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, who had become a follower of the Acharya, an assignment of the fertile tracts of land in the neighbourhood, especially of the Ashta Gramas, on either bank of the Cauvery]








Muslim Invasion


In the 14th century, the place suffered at the hands of Muslim invaders, who wrecked Dwarasamudra and it was at Tondanur(Tonnur) at the southern foot of the hills, that the Hoysala king at first retired. It was subsequently restored, in about 1460 by Thimmanna Dannayaka, a chief of Nagamangala, who was an army commander of the Vijayanagar king Mallikarjuna or Immadi Prudhadeva Raya . The buildings must have been on a grand scale, as can be seen from the remains of the Gopal Raya gate on the South which are of immense proportions. The Brahmins deserted Melkote which was then plundered.


heluvanarayana Swamy Temple

Cheluva-Narayana Swamy Temple

The principal temple is a square building of large dimensions but very plain, dedicated to Lord Cheluva-Narayana Swamy or Tirunarayana. The utsavamurthi, which is a metallic image, representing the deity which is called Cheluvapille Raya or Cheluvanarayana Swamy whose original name appears to have been Ramapriya. According to a legend, this metallic image was lost and was recovered by Sri Ramanujacharya. The annual report of the Mysore Archeaelogical Department states on the strength of epigraphic evidence, that the presiding deity of this temple was alerady a well known object of worship before Sri Ramanujacharya worshipped at the shrine in December 1098 CE. and even before he came to the Mysore region and that very probably he used his influence to rebuild or renovate the temple. From the lithic records of the period, existence of Tamil influence and Vaishnava worship in the area are also evident.[

The temple is richly endowed having been under the special patronage of the Mysore Rajas, and has a most valuable collection of jewels. As early as 1614, the Mysore king Raja Wodeyar who first acquired Srirangapatna and adopted the Srivaishnava faith, handed over to the temple and the Brahmins at Melkote, the estate granted to him by Vijaynagar king Venkatapati Raya . On one of the pillars of navaranga of the Narayanaswami temple is a bas relief about one and a half feet high, of Raja Wodeyar, standing with folded hands, with the name inscribed on the base. He was said to be a great devotee of the presiding deity and a constant visitor to the temple. A gold crown set with precious jewels was presented by him to the temple. This crown is known as the Raja-mudi after his name. A legend says that on the day of his death, he was observed entering the sanctum and was seen no more afterwards. From the inscriptions on some of the gold jewels and on gold and silver vessels in the temple it is learnt that they were presents from Krishnaraja Wodeyar III and his queens. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III also presented to the temple a crown set with precious jewels. It is known after him as Krishnaraja-mudi. Vairamudi or Vajramukuta, another crown of great value, seems to be older than Raja-mudi and Krishnaraja-mudi and it is not known as to who gave it to the temple.
All the three crowns are kept in the safe custody of the Government and brought to the temple on specific annual occasion for adoring the image of Cheluvanarayana Swamy. The vairamudi festival, which is the chief annual celebration is attended by more than 400,000 people.


Vairamudi Utsav or Vairamudi festival

This temple of Melkote is popular for its Vairamudi Utsav, which is held in the month of March/April, the procession idol of Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy is decorated with a diamond crown and taken out in procession. The Vairamudi utsav, which is the chief annual celebration, is witnessed by more than 4 lakh people.

It is believed that the diamond crown is not to be viewed at when it is not worn by the utsav murthy (procession idol); hence every year, on the occasion, the officiating priest takes out the crown from its chest with his eyes blindfolded and then places it on the head of the idol of Sri Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy.

Other attractions at Melkote

Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary
Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary was created on 1974 mainly to preserve the wolf. Other mammals found in this sanctuary include leopard, jungle cat, bonnet macaque, pangolin and langur.

Best time to visit Melkote is throughout the year.

Distance from Melkote
Mysore: 50 km
Pandavapura: 25 km
Bangalore: 150 km


How to get there:

Nearest Airport: Bangalore

Nearest Railhead: Pandavapura, Mandya

Road: Melkote is well connected by roads.




Kalyani or Pushkarani


Pushkaranani pond

The temple infrastructure boasts of a large pond called as Kalyani. The beauty of the steps leading to water and the mantapas built all around are such that it has been captured in many Indian films.

Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary


Melkote is also the location of the Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary. This Sanctuary was created on 17 June 1974 mainly to protect the wolf. Other mammals found in this sanctuary are jungle cat, leopard, bonnet macaque, langur and pangolin. It is also an ornithologist's paradise, with numerous species of birds indigenous to the area.and also if walk in the early morning you will see peacock



Accommodation & Annadanam


Devotees can find various Mathas in and around the temple. However, some of the Mathas are going to provide accommodation to the devotees. Most of the Mathas are provideing free annadanam every day to the devotees, at the same time devotees can also offer donations to mathas towards annadanam. Donor can opt the date to perform annadanam to the devotees.

Vairmudi Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM1ONjb0VZk&feature=fvw