A Thing Of Beauty -The Devi's Rangamantapa at MELUKOTE

RANGAMANTAPA OF THAYAR SANNIDHI
 ( Thayar = Mother , refers to Lakshmi aka Yadugiri Ammanavaru )
At Cheluvanarayana Swami Temple of Melukote (Melkote) 

This famous temple has no foundation inscription. 
The large temple structure seen today is the cumulative result of many alterations and additions made by many patrons down the ages, from W.Ganga times right up to the present . 
Among such additions , the RANGAMANTAPA in front of the DEVI SHRINE stands out  . This attractive long corridor with 38 ornamental pillars  was commissioned by one Rangambika , wife of Thimmanna Dannayaka , the Lord Chieftain of Nagamangala, who governed the prosperous region for Mallikarjuna Immadi Proudhadeva Raya of Vijayanagara .
Between 1458 and 1460 , this devout couple renovated  and made many grants and gifts  to this temple . Rangambika is especially remembered for her splendid offering , the Rangamantapa , an artistic delight . And also for establishing a Matha for free feeding of pilgrims . 
Each pillar of the Rangamantapa is unique . Though all of them have panels narrating puranic episodes (with captions ) , the embellishments are varied - some ordinary , most are extra-ordinary. Of the artisans themselves , nothing  is known. 
  
Melukote, Mandya District , Karnataka . 148 Kms from Bengaluru , 55 Kms from Mysuru . 
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