Vairamudi Utsava

If you are looking at a religious and spiritual event that will sweep you off your feet with its grandeur, then you must experience the vibes of the Vairamudi Utsava in Melukote, Karnataka. The Vairamudi Utsava is an annual festival that takes place in the Melukote town of the Mandya district in Karnataka. Melukote is a historical town and is the place where the renowned Vaishnava saint, Shri Ramanujacharya is believed to have stayed for 12 years in the early part of the 12th century. The centre of the Vairamudi Utsava is the sacred Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple of Melukote. The temple is dedicated to Cheluvanarayana Swamy, also known as Thirunarayana, a form of Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that the idol of Cheluvanarayana Swamy was worshipped in the Treta Yuga by Lord Rama himself and hence is also referred to as Ramapriya. Later in the Dwapara Yuga, the idol is believed to have been worshipped by Lord Krishna. The Vairamudi Utsava also referred to as the Vairamudi Brahmotsava is an annual celebration that spans 13 days and happens during the months of March-April, the dates depend on the position of the stars according to the Hindu calendar. The highlight of the festival is the Vairamudi crown festival and the Vairamudi procession. The Vairamudi is a crown embedded with diamonds and other precious stones. This crown along with two other crowns and jewels is kept in the Mandya District treasury and brought to Melukote annually for the ceremonies of the Vairamudi Utsava. The Vairamudi is also known as Vajramukuta and according to legend was brought to the temple by Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The legend goes that once Lord Vishnu was asleep and his crown was stolen by a demon named Virochana. Garuda chased the demon and after a fierce fight, took possession of the sacred crown and brought it back to Lord Vishnu. Since that day the Vairamudi Utsava is celebrated. Historically there is no evidence to trace the origin of this crown. However, there are two other crowns that have been donated by the erstwhile kings of Mysore, Maharajah Raja Wodeyar I, and Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. These are known as Rajamudi and Krishnarajamudi respectively. Out of the three, the Vairamudi is the most precious and adorns the head of the main deity during the Vairamudi Utsava. The head priest of the Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple places the Vairamudi on the head of the main idol, with blindfolded eyes, as he is not supposed to look at the glittering crown. The grand Vairamudi procession happens at night as it is believed that the sacred crown should not be exposed to sunlight. The grand spectacle of the dazzling Vairamudi can be seen from 9.00 PM to 3.00 AM.