Attractions

Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary:

Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a sanctuary in 17th June 1974 particularly to safeguard the wolf. The Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is separated into two blocks, Mudibetta (4.48 sq. km) and Narayandurga (45.34 sq. km).

Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is deciduous scrub forest dominates the area. Cycas circinalis, an endangered gymnosperm is characteristic of this area. A few pockets of Shorea talura exist in the sanctuary. Other species include Acacia leucophloea, Angogeissus latifolia, Santalum album and Zizyphus sp.

Mammals of Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary include Leopard, Wolf, Jungle Cat, Indian fox, Black Buck, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Bonnet Macaque, Langur and Pangolin.The melkote temple houses a large pond called as Kalyani Theertha. The melkote temple premises also houses the oldest Sanskrit college named Sri Veda Vedantha Bodhini Sanskrit Mahapathashala. This ancient Sanskrit college in India dates back to 1854. The institution continues to provide instruction in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy.