Melukote Temple, Khadi, & Iyengars

This small town has a few good reasons for visiting and you could spend a full day here. It’s just a 90 minute drive from Mysore. The drive itself was very pretty and I was happy to be going by car with goMowgli rather than bus so I could stop to take photos or to just look around. There is a Melukote Temple, Khadi being made, and Iyengars roaming about.

This is one of my 8 favorite day trips from Mysore.

The coolest bit might have been the Melukote Khadi Shop and the organic Khadi Farm we visited. I bought a good amount cotton to get some clothes made back in Goa. We watched the women work and I was truly amazed- I’ll post more on this later and how to get clothes made in India.

Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple

Also in Melukote, a town meaning something like ‘High Fort’ in Kannada … surprise surprise has a big fort!

The name of the fort is Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple but only ruins remain. We didn’t go up as I was exhausted from the hike up to Bahubali that morning. I suggest you go up and not be lazy like me, but after seeing so many forts and temples I just didn’t have the will power!

The Iyengars

We toured the town, had lunch, and watched as the Orthodox Vishnu worshippers called Iyengars brought items from the temple to their homes for a puja. While Shiva worshippers draw lines horizontally on their forheads, Vishnu worshippers draw them vertically.

Everyone born in the town is a strict sect of Vishnu worshippers called Iyengar and the men have little ponytails in the back.

This is one of the many places I visited using Mysore as a base and is a perfect day trip from Mysore. I love seeing smaller towns outside the big cities and this was one of my favorites… ok, it might have had something to do with the khadi!

We were here most of the day and had a traditional lunch of tamarind rice which I have to admit was not my favorite. There are lots of places to eat here though, so have no fear you won’t go hungry. You can pick up snacks in town like fried banana chips and other sugary Indian sweets.

I visited this town with gomowgli, but all opinion are my own.

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2016-10-13T10:03:36-04:00

About the Author: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones left a career in nursing and lived on the beaches of Goa, India for the five years. Now she lives in Mexico where she gives advice on the 40+ countries she’s visited in the last 10 years. She’s the author of two India travel e-books: Guide to India and Insider’s Guide to Goa. Her blog, Hippie in Heels, like its name, is a contradiction combining off-beat adventurous places with glamorous and bespoke travel. Hippie in Heels has been featured in ELLE, Marie Claire, Grazia, and Cosmopolitan magazines. She’s a writer for Bravo TV.

16 Comments

venus john January 5, 2015 at 7:36 pm - Reply

thanks for the info about organic khadi farm,etc..
even though I am indian,i did not know that shiva worhippers draw horizontal lines on their foreheads and Vishnu worhsippers have vertical lines..interesting..
- Rachel Jones January 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm - Reply
  
  I hope it’s accurate information. It was what I was informed during my tour :)
Colleen Brynn January 5, 2015 at 8:00 pm - Reply

The diversity in India never ceases to amaze me. When I was roaming about, we went to a village called Orchha, and this was a definitely highlight – such a different flavour and feel. I hope you share the clothes you get made up!!
- Rachel Jones January 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm - Reply
  
  I’ve heard of that place!! & Yes I’ll share the clothes for sure, have a post ready on how to buy cotton and get things made in India and figured I should get some pics of the cute dresses I got made!
Renuka January 5, 2015 at 11:06 pm - Reply

Looks like quite an interesting place. I am yet to explore the surrounds of Mysore. Thanks for this insight!
- Rachel Jones January 6, 2015 at 12:30 pm - Reply
  
  Thanks! I have lots of posts coming from around Mysore.
Claire January 6, 2015 at 12:58 am - Reply

I wish I had known about Melukote when I was in Mysore this past Summer. I definitely would have taken a day trip there.
- Rachel Jones January 6, 2015 at 12:30 pm - Reply
  
  Yeah, it’s a bit of a secret so I was pleased when goMowgli introduced me to this place.
Justine January 6, 2015 at 9:13 am - Reply

I love reading your posts about India because it makes me realize just how many different and unique places there are to visit there. This place, with its temples and old buildings, looks amazing! I really love your last photo. I have a thing for old, rundown buildings :)
- Rachel Jones January 6, 2015 at 12:31 pm - Reply
  
  I do too! I love wandering through little villages here & taking photos.
jen January 13, 2015 at 1:08 am - Reply

I think I will visit Melukote when I am in Mysore for the month of March. Do you have suggestions on how I could be able to arrange a trip there? And I am looking forward on your post on how to get clothes made in India!
- Rachel Jones January 13, 2015 at 12:05 pm - Reply
  
  I recommend goMowlgi – they know the guy who owns the khadi so I assume I got a nice rate due to being with them, plus I think the town is really small and a taxi driver may not find it.
  - jen January 13, 2015 at 11:08 pm - Reply
    
    Thanks Rachel, I sent an email to GoMowlgi and will be sure to mention you again because if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have known about their services.
    - Rachel Jones January 14, 2015 at 12:16 am - Reply
      
      awesome news! thanks ! :)
jen January 13, 2015 at 11:09 pm - Reply

P.S. Am super looking forward to your clothes post! :) <3
Reshma April 21, 2015 at 11:51 pm - Reply

Awesome! you write so well! Love your observations about the little things. I am from Mysore and these places remain close to my heart!