The legend also has it that the Vaira Mudi was the crown worn by Sriman Narayana at His abode at the Milky ocean ; it was stolen by Virochana , the son of Bhaktha Prahlada , when the Lord was sleeping . Virochana ran away to the nether world with the stolen crown of the Lord and hid there . Garuda was requested later by the devotees of the Lord to go after Virochana and recover the Vaira Mudi . Garuda descended to the nether world , fought with Virochana , defeated him , recovered his Lord's crown and was flying back to his Lord's abode , when he saw child Krishna playing in the mid day heat with His friends at Brindhavan . Garuda spread his wings over his Master , the young Krishna to provide shade and then placed the Vaira Mudi on the head of Lord Krishna . Local legend states that Lord Krishna came later to Thirunarayana Puram from Dwaraka and presented the Vaira Mudi to Seluva Narayanan.
Based on the temple traditions , Vaira Mudi is not to be seen in day light . Hence , it is brought to Thirunarayana Puram from Mandya District treasury on the day of the festival in a special casket shielded from the Sun's rays . There is special police protection for this casket during its journey from Mandya treasury to the temple at Melkote and back on this day . When the casket containing Vaira Mudi arrives at the boundaries of the town , it is recieved with temple honors and brought to the temple on a special palanquin . The sacred crown arrives at the temple around 5.30 PM . It rests in front of Acharya Ramanuja's sanctum for another four hours. Here , the Lord Seluva Narayanan is fitted with the Vaira Mudi by the temple priest before the adoring eyes of Acharya Ramanuja . No one can see the Vaira Mudi until the Lord adorns it . Hence ,the officiating priest covers his eyes with a silk garment , lifts the Vaira Mudi from the casket and places it on the Lord's head as a part of the coronation ceremony . Now the procession starts and lasts until the early hours of the morning of the next day .The majesty of this festival is matchless . The quiet town of Melkote comes to life during this special festival.
Lord Seluva Narayanan is the darling child or Sella Pillai of AchArya Ramanuja , who arrived at Melkote , when he was 82 years young and stayed for 12 long years at Melkote worshipping the Lord . Seluva Narayanan is also known as Rama Priyan since He was worshipped by Lord Ramachandra during His incarnation as the son of King Dasaratha .
Thirunarayana Puram (Melkote) has a sacred temple on the hill for Lord Narasimha consecrated by Prahlada . Many Vaishnavite Acharyas like Nanjeeyar and the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt were born here . A famous Sanskrit Acdaemy is located at Melkote and has its research center in sylvan settings not too far from the temple . Melkote is also famous for a local sweet preparation named Melkote Manoharam , the sacred white clay used by Vaishnavas on their foreheads , Ulundurai , a variation on the traditional Pongal using black gram and special handloom clothings . Many Hoysala Temples are within driving distance of Melkote and have enduring links to the times , when Acharya Ramanuja stayed in Karnataka desam .
Credits: V. Sadagopan