Sri Rishabapureeswarar Temple, Melsevur, in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

08^th June 2019.

After Visiting Sri Aatcheeswarar Swami Shiva Temple at Acharapakkam, one of the Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam, it was planned to Visit Sri Rishabapureeswarar temple at Melsevur in Villupuram District. It was around 11.30 Hrs when we landed and found the temple was closed. To our request, the in charge of the temple was kind enough to  open the door and have the darshan of Lord Shiva. Thiyagaraja has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple. Claimed that it is also a Vaippu sthalam and the hymn was sung by Sundarar.

Moolavar: Sri Rishabapureeswarar

Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai also known as Sri Gunasmvardhini

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is on the south bank of river Sangarabarani and faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram on the west side (back side). A Vinayagar Sannidhi is after the Rajagopuram abutting the prakaram wall. A balipeedam, Rishabam, and Dwajasthambam are in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum under a mandapam with 2 Pallava-style squatting lion pillars. In Sanctum the moolavar is swayambhu, with a scar on the moolavar ( believed that Rishabam worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple ). In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner praharam Somaskandar (empty), Saptamatrikas with Veerabhadra and Vinayagar, Flower garland making platform (Palli thamam platform), Shiva Lingas of Kalamuki, Thathpurusar, Agoramurthy, Sadyojata murthy, Kasi Viswanathar, Sahasra Linga, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sambandar, Bhairavar, Suryan, Bas relief panel of Vishnu Durgai, Vijayanagar Nayaka period Donors and Chandikeswarar.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Alangara & Vahana mandapas and Mangalambigai. Sri Mangalambigai is in standing posture with 4 hands  in a separate temple like sannadhi with Koshta Murtis.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The prati bandha adhistanam is with a virutha kumudam and Yazhivari. Kapotham with nasi is in the prastaram. A 2-tier Vimana with vesara sigaram is on the sanctum. 

The alangara mandapam also has two Pallava-style squatting lion pillars.

 Vahana and Alangara mandapa with squatting Lion Pillars

 Pallava period squatting Lion Pillars

 Sanctum architecture

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:

Even though it was claimed that the temple was built during the Pallava period ( 850 CE ), as per the inscription the temple was built by Parantaka Chozha ( 928 CE) and later contributions by Chozhas and Vijayanagara Nayaks. Pallava period mixture of Tamil and Grantha inscriptions are found on the Kumudam. Aditya Chozha-I ( 898 CE ), Rajaraja-I ( 985 – 1014 CE ), Rajendra Chozha-I,  Kulothunga Chozha-I, Samburayars, and Vijayanagara period inscriptions are found on the walls. As per the inscription the place was called Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Uthama Chozha valanttu Sevur and Iraivan was called Than Thontreeswarar. The inscriptions mainly speak about a donation of land, cattle to burn perpetual lamps, and daily poojas.

 Inscriptions- Telugu

 Inscriptions

Vijayanagara Nayak Period Donors

LEGENDS ( MYTHS )

The east entrance was kept closed. The story behind that is, many times during heavy rain the flood in the Sarangapani River flows up to feet of Ambal. At the request of the people Ambal Mangalambigai changed the direction of the river and the east entrance was permanently kept closed.

It was told that there was an underground passage from this temple to Gingee Fort and the queen used to visit and worship lord Shiva at this temple.

Chandikeswarar was cursed by Durvasa, born as Kamala Muni, and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. When the Shiva linga was covered by the anthill, Nandhikeswarar removed it with his hoop which hit Lord Shiva and blood oozed out and flowed as Sangarabarani river. 

CELEBRATIONS: 

Apart from regular poojas, Maha Shivarathri, Pradosham, Annual festival during Chithirai (April-May), Panguni Uthiram, Thaipoosam, 

  are conducted in a grand manner.

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the temple will be kept open in the morning hours.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers may be contacted for further details

+91 99621 72565, 97877 20215, 99433 22152

HOW TO REACH:

The place Melsevur can be reached from Vallam to Kongarapattu bus and from Gingee.

17 KM from Gingee, 48 KM from Villupuram, and 151 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Ardha mandapa

 Vishnu Durgai panel

 Saptamatrikas

Veerabhadra

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---