Raya Gopuram in Melkote: Movie Shooting Spot of Karnataka
The four incomplete pillars of Raya Gopuram of Melkote look stunning against the bright blue sky. Had it been complete it would have turned out stupendous!
After we toured the Temples and Kalyani of Melukote Temple we wandered to this place.
Incomplete Raya Gopuram
There are many folklore around this structure, one of them being:
A sculptor was challenged to complete the construction of pillars and tower over it in one night. The sculptor and his team seemed to be doing well when his opponents fearing the sculptor would win played a trick. They rang the morning bells at two in the night instead of five in the morning.
Disappointed, the sculptor abandoned his work and the pillars stand incomplete to this day.
I took it just ‘another story’ associated to the place. The pillars do look incomplete with no tower built over it. It looks as if the work was abandoned in a hurry. Take a look at the pictures below and you will understand why I say that this Gopuram too could have been wonder of wonders had it been completed.
Sculptures of Raya Gopuram
The walls and pillars of this gopuram is infused with sculptures. Most of the sculpted images were that of women , couple of them handling snakes.
Lady Snake Charmer
Face and Hairstyle of Lady Snake Charmer in Raya Gopuram
Raya Gopuram Melkote Wall
View from Wall of the Gopuram
View of Temple from Melukote Raya Gopuram
View of Kalyani from Melukote Raya Gopuram
Movie Shooting Location at Melukote
It is also known as Gopalraya entrance leading to the hill. Climbing up the structure I found boulders scattered. Wasn’t this the same place where Aishwaray Rai, Miss World 1994 danced for the Hindi movie Guru in 2007?Amazing what lighting effects could do to a simple place full of boulders like this!
Do watch this song sequence “barso re”, to see the place ‘Raya Gopuram’ where the sequence was shot.
Other popular movies shot here are: Thalapathy (the Rajinikanth starrer), Rowdy Rathore (Akshay Kumar – Sonakshi Sinha starrer).
Location of Melkote
Melkote is 150 km south west of Bangalore and 55 km north of Mysuru. Road trips during weekends are best option. You can hire private vehicles or take state transport buses. Plenty of eateries along the highway SH47.
Tickets: No tickets are required to see the place.
Open Timings: This place is open 6am to 6pm on all days.
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Super Structure..Well covered.. Reminds me of my visit..
Thanks for sharing the video, Indrani. Though I've seen the Barso Se video before, I probably wouldn't have recognised it from the photographs. And yes, that's such a beautiful song!
I am a fan of Ms. Rai ever since ^_^ And yes the video is amazing. The lighting is so good well filmed. Thanks for sharing and happy weekend!
SWF
I think the story of the builder's challenge is a pretty good explanation of the incomplete look of this place. Your first photo is stunning, and I like the details on the pillar in your second photo. Thanks, too, for sharing the video shot at this place.
Very impressive and what a contrast to this blue sky ! The video clip is very special, love the music too !
Iam always fasinated by such works…one similar incomplete 'rayagopuram' is there next to meenakshi temple in madurai and as always has many folklores around it
What a lovely lovely blue sky!
Liebe Indrani,
sehr beeindruckend deine Fotos, auch das hier eingestellte Vodeo ist grossartig. DANKE!!!
Liebe Grüsse aus der Schweiz
Hans-Peter
Saw the 1st image and for a minute thought it was Hampi!! beautiful.. have seen shows and pics of Melkote, but yet to visit…
The blue sky provided a beautiful backdrop, great contrast of colors!
Your last shot is gorgeous!
Amazing structures and I really enjoyed the video you included!
Best wishes for the upcoming New Year!
There are 3 such Rajagopuras built by Vijayanagar kings , one in melkote ,Mahabalipuram and Tadapatri . And all are incomplete .
fascinating legends/myths
Beautiful blues.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Lovely song, lovely place. Happy new year!
Good pictures and a wonderful song….i like it Indrani.
and.. so fun to see she dances on the same place as your pictures of the pillars are from! 🙂
Oh Indrani!! =) What a very very beautiful song!! I just love it! And the fascinating nature, absolutely gorgeous!! The waterfall – wow!!!! =)
Thanks for sharing Indrani! 🙂
The lighting is indeed amazing and such beautiful skies!! Great video! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
I like the way that look against the blue sky. In some way incomplete or damaged structures that are left have their own beauty and poignancy.