While I was searching the Aalayam Kanden website, I understood that Mrs PadmaPriya Baskaran is organizing a one-day trip to Thakkolam (click here), Melpadi, Pullalur, and Thiruvalam on 9th August 2015 for Ponniyin Selvan Group (Click here Click Here). Even though I had been to Thakkolam and Thiruvalam temples as a part of a pilgrimage yatra to cover 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal (for details, CLICK HERE) thought of doing it once again with a group of heritage enthusiasts.
Second level 3-tier Rajagopuram view from Mottai Gopuram entrance
From Thiruvalam, we reached Melpadi. We are lucky, and the temple was kept open. This temple and Arinjaya Cholan’s Pallipadai are under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Some of the important details are as follows.
Moolavar: Sri Somanatheeswarar
Consort: Sri Thabaskirutha Devi.
Some of the Important features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with an entrance on the south side. There is no Rajagopuram, but up to the mottai Gopuram level. There is a second-level Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in the outer prakaram.
In the outer praharam, Ambal (No koshta moortham in the sanctum niches), Navagrahas, and statues of Pichadanar, Shiva Parvati, Sapthamatrikas, Vinayagar, excavated at the temple (Kept in an enclosure), Bhairavar, Yagasalai, and madapalli. In the inner praharam, there is no sannadhi except Rishabam.
In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu (in place of Lingothbavar), Brahma, and Vishnu Durgai.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. Moolavar vimanam is of eka tala vesara stone vimanam, and the kalasam is also made of stone. The sigaram and the kalsam are dark black/ green colour stones.
For making this idol, it was believed that Kundavai was the model.
HISTORY
A lot of inscriptions around the sanctum wall.
The left side mandapam
Moolavar Vimanam - Complete stone structure
Outer praharam
Dwajasthambam, Rishabam, and balipeedam
Ambal Sannadhi in the outer praharam
In koshtam – Dakshinamurthy
In koshtam – Vinayagar
In koshtam – Durgai
Relief at the entrance of Mottaigopuram
Saptamatrikas (Not full set) & Vinayagar
Saptamatrikas (Not full set) & Vinayagar
Relief of Subramaniyar
A Pallava Style Pillar
A stone bowl and Shiva Lingam with broken avudayar
A hero stone facing on the right side, holding a shield and an angusa-like weapon.
A hero stone facing on the right side, holding a shield and an angusa-like weapon.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Padmapriya Baskaran, Mr. Venkatesh, Mr Vaidyanathan Ramamurthy, and other organizers of the Photo Walkers for organizing a wonderful one-day trip.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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