INTRODUCTION

NAVANEETA BALAKIRSHNA SWAMY TEMPLE

&

SRI MAHALAKSMI (PADMAVATI) TEMPLE

(MELUKUNTE, SIRA TALUK, KARNATAKA )

Location : The temple is situated in a tiny village by name Melukunte , 11 kms from Sira Taluk, bus stand, on the Sira-Amarapura road. It is in Tumkur district. It must be emphasized that this place is not to be confused with Melkote, Chaluvarayaswamy, near Mysore.

How to reach Melukunte from Bangalore ? Board the state transport buses ( KSRTC ) at Majestic bus stand, Bangalore plying towards Sira, Chitradurga, Davangere or Poona. Alight at Sira bus stand. Regular KSRTC town buses which ply from Sira bus stand to Melukunte. However, there are only four KSRTC trips viz., 9.30 AM, 1.30 PM, 4.30 PM & 6.30 PM.

Alternatively one can also hire an auto or cab. For further details to reach the temple contact T N Ravindra, Secretary Mob : 09480405407 or Chakrapani, Chief priest 09880066835.

Stay in Melukunte : There are no special facilities for lodging / stay, however one can stay in the temple premises. Alternatively, good hotels are available in the nearby Sira town.

Temple Timings : The temple is normally open on all the days from 8:00 AM to 1: 00 PM in the mornings and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evenings. The devotees visiting the Temple can also contact the priests, who live just beside the Temple.