Sri Rishabapureeswarar Temple, Melsevur, in Viluppuram 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 Viluppuram District. It was around 11.30 hrs when we landed and found the temple was closed. At our request, the person in charge of the temple was kind enough to open the door and have darshan of Lord Shiva. Thiyagaraja has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple. Claimed that it is 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 the 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 the sanctum, the moolavar is swayambhu, with a scar on the moolavar (believed that Rishabam worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple). In the 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 praharam, sannadhi for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Alangara & Vahana mandapas and Mangalambigai. Sri Mangalambigai is in a standing posture with 4 hands  in a separate temple-like sannidhi with koshta Murtis.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The prati bandha adhistanam is with a virutha kumudam and viyyalavari. Kapotam with nasi is in the prastaram. A 2-tier vimana with vesara sigaram is over 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), with later contributions by Chozhas and Vijayanagara Nayaks. Pallava period mixture of Pallava-period Tamil and Grantha inscriptions is 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 and cattle to burn perpetual lamps and daily poojas.

The Chozha king Kulothunga Chozha III’s  13^th year of reign, 1191 C.E., Tamil inscription, on the south wall of the first prahara of the VRISHABНА-PURISVARA TEMPLE inscription records,  a 'nilaimaitittu' made between two chieftains named Erimaruntan Arasanarayanan alias Rajaraja Muvendarayan and Erimarundan Menmattan alias Jananatha Muvendaraiyan and Sengeni Ammai Appan Pandinadu Kondan alias Rajaraja Sambuvarayar, the earlier two hereby pledging their loyalty to the last mentioned.

At the declining period of the imperial Cholas, many chieftains existed independently and ruled their respective areas. The name and regnal year of the ruling king of the imperial line were mentioned in these inscriptions only as formality. Many petty chiefs made alliances among themselves and acted according to the opportunity and circumstances warranted. These types of treaties were common in the peripheral areas of the ruling dynasties, when their position became weak.

Text

ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ திரிபுவநச்சக்கரவத்திகள் ஸ்ரீகுலோத்துங்கசோழ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு 13வது செங்கேணி அம்மைஅப்பன் பாண்டிநாடு கொண்டானான இராஜராஜச் சம்புவராயர்க்கு 

References

1. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy, year 1904.

2. South Indian Inscriptions volume  - XVII.

3. Select Inscriptions, Department of Archaeology

 Inscriptions- Telugu

 Inscriptions

Vijayanagara Nayak Period Donors

LEGENDS (MYTHS)

The east entrance was kept closed. The story behind that is that many times during heavy rain, the flood in the Sarangapani River flows up to the 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 said 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 at 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 the Sangarabarani river. 

CELEBRATIONS: 

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

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

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

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers +91 99621 72565, 97877 20215, 99433 22152 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

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

The temple is 17 km from Gingee, 48 km from Viluppuram, and 151 km from Chennai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Ardha mandapa

 Vishnu Durgai panel

 Saptamatrikas

Veerabhadra- Yogeswarar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---