Courtyard houses replete with stone pillars, red oxide flooring, kolam (rangoli) on the floor, and the white and red Iyengar namam firmly painted on the ancient-looking but sturdy main doors. Time seems to be an illusion as one takes a stroll through the deserted streets of Melukote. An air of antiquity, oodles of rustic charm and heritage vibes are unmissable when you visit this quaint hilltop town, about 150 km from Bengaluru. Also spelt Melkote and known as Thirunarayanapuram, the town is synonymous with the Cheluvanarayana Swamy and the Yoga Narasimha Swamy temples. But beyond this, Melukote offers an eclectic mix of sights spanning history, culture, craft and tradition.