Focus Melukote: Infosys Foundation To Assist Tourism Department In Developing Twelfth-Century Temple Town

Karnataka Tourism department is likely to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Infosys Foundation to develop the twelfth-century temple town Melukote into a tourist hub, Star Of Mysore has reported. Melukote is located 130 kilometres from Bengaluru and the town is famous for its Lord Cheluvanaryana Swamy temple. It is also a centre for Sanskrit studies.

The Infosys Foundation has already renovated the Vasantha Vallabharaya Kalyani at a cost of Rs 9 crore in Bengaluru and Lakshmeshwara Temple Kalyani in Hubballi at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

The foundation is likely to take up the renovation and maintenance of Dodda Kalyani near Cheluvanarayanaswamy Temple in Melukote and Akka-Tangi Kola near Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple. These kalyanis (temple ponds) are currently under the control of Muzrai and archaeological departments.

While the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation Sudha Murthy has not discussed the adoption of Melukote officially she, however, had expressed displeasure over the poor maintenance of kalyanis during her recent visit to the temple. Sources in Karnataka’s Tourism Department told Star of Mysore that the department is interested to rope in Infosys Foundation to develop Melukote.