Melkote is a small town located in the Mandya district of the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is situated about 50 kilometers northwest of the city of Mysore. Melkote is known for its historical and religious significance and is considered to be an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.

The town is home to the Cheluvanarayana Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered to be one of the most important Vaishnavite temples in South India. The temple was built in the 12th century by the Hoysala dynasty and is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple is also home to a number of inscriptions and manuscripts that provide insight into the history and culture of the region.

Melkote is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including the nearby Yoganarasimha Hill and the Thirunarayanapura Dam. The town is also an important center of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition and attracts many scholars and devotees from around the country.

Melkote can be reached by bus or train from nearby cities like Mysore and Bangalore. The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which is about 140 kilometers away from Melkote.

Melkote is an important pilgrim center that is about 51 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore. It lies in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district. According to mythology, the Melkote was known as Narayanadri, Vedadri, Yadavadri, Yathishaila, and Thirunarayanapura as the temple of Narayanaswamy is built on a granite rocky hill that comprises some of the oldest rock formations on earth known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Cauvery valley. Melkote is very well known for various famous temples and a festival called Vairamudi.

It is a sacred pilgrim center for Sri Vaishnavas. Legend has it that in the early 12th century was a time of great rivalries between Shaiva and Vaishnava sects in South India. Vaishnavas were persecuted by the Cholas, who were the rulers of Tamilnadu at that time. Sri Ramanujacharya, the leading preacher of Vaishnavism had to escape from Chola rule. He was allowed to live in exile at Melkote by then Hoysala ruler Vishuvardhana. Influenced by Sri Ramanujacharya, Vishuvardhana who was Jain converted to Vaishnavism. During the 14th century, the defeat of Hoysala Kings against Muslim forces saw the destruction of Melkote. The town was plundered by the invaders. It was later restored during Vijayanagar rule.

Sanskrit Pathshala is a traditional school of learning for the study of the Sanskrit language and Hindu scriptures, located in Melkote. It is considered one of the most traditional and reputed institutions for learning Sanskrit in South India. The Pathshala is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the ancient language and culture of India. It offers a variety of courses and programs in Sanskrit, including traditional methods of teaching and learning through the use of memorization, recitation, and the study of classical texts.

The curriculum of the Pathshala is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the language, grammar, literature and philosophy of the Sanskrit tradition. It also offers courses in Indian culture, history, and philosophy, as well as yoga and meditation. The Pathshala attracts students from all over India and even from abroad, who come to study under the guidance of traditional scholars and teachers. Many of the students stay in the hostel provided by the Pathshala and immerse themselves in the traditional way of learning.