Sri Meikandeeswarar Temple / Thondai Mandala Adheenam Temple, Melkathirpur, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

This blog already lists Shiva temples in and around Kanchipuram, with links to Google Photos, Google Maps locations, and Location QR codes.  

Maha Shivaratri 2020 – Kanchipuram  Shiva Temples  Visit- 29

21^st February 2020.

The visit to this Meikandeeswarar temple, inside Thondai Mandala Adheenam, Melkathirpur, Periya Kanchipuram, was a part of the 2020 Maha Shivaratri Temples Visit, on 21^st February 2020. After Sri Kaduveli Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi  (Mathaleeswarar Temple), our next destination was Sri Meikendeeswarar Temple.

During the Pallava and Chozha period, South India was divided into Thondai mandalam, Kongu mandalam, Chera Nadu, Nadu Nadu, Chozha Nadu, and Pandya Nadu. This Adheenam was formed in the name of  Thondai mandalam itself. Gnanaprakasar founded the Thondai Mandala Adheenam during the 14^th Century. Now the Adheenam is headed by the 232nd Guru Maha Sannidhanam of Thondai Mandala Adheenam, Sri Thiruvambaladesika Gnanaprakasha Swamigal.

Moolavar: Sri Meikandeeswarar / Sri Meikanda Eswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with a single-tier Rajagopuram. The Stucco images of Meikanda Nayanar and Thondai mandala Adheenam are on the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in the artha mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in the antarala also. Vinayagar and Subramaniar are in the artha mandapam. Chandikeswarar is in the praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. We could see Pallava / Chozha period pillars in the artha mandapam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that this temple was built during the Pallava period and reconstructed during the Chola period. Now the temple is under the control of Thondai Mandala Adheenam and is called Thondai Mandala Adheenam Temple. 

LEGEND:

It is believed that Meikandar, who had written Sivagnanabotham, the first of the Saiva Siddhantha Sasthiram, worshiped Shri Shiva of this temple. Hence Shiva is called Meikandeeswarar. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs. 

HOW TO REACH:

About  600 meters from Sri Ekambaranathar Temple.

The temple is about 1.3 km from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, 1.2 km from Kanchipuram Railway Station, 28.0 km from Arakkonam, and 65 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram, and the Railway Junction is Arakkonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---