Sri Adhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple/ ஸ்ரீ வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில், மேலக்காவேரி/Melacavery, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Adhi Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Melacavery, Kumbakonam, was a part of the Shiva and Vishnu temples visit on 08^th March 2025, the previous day of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், on 09^th March 2025. Thanks to Mrs. Vidhya, who accompanied me to this temple.

Moolavar  :  Sri Varadharaja Perumal

Thayar     :  Sri Perundevi Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces west with a three-tier Rajagopuram, without any stucco images. Balipeedam and Garudan are under a 4-pillar mandapam after the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Ranganathar as Ananda Sayanar with Brahma, Sri Devi, and Bhudevi are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in a standing posture with Bhumi Neela and Sridevi. Alwars are in ardha mandapam. A Krishna’s image is on the back side of the sanctum koshta.

In praharam Sri Perundevi Thayar sannidhi facing east. Thayar is standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Garudan and Anjaneyar sannidhis are also in the praharam. A fragment inscription stone with Chakra is worshipped as Chakarathalwar on the right side of the Thayar sannidhi.

A ko sala is functioning inside the temple premises.

PC website

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha upanam. Basreliefs are on the gandam. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and kapotam. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilaster with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and vettu / pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and viyyalavari. A two tala brick vimanam is on the bhumi desam. The sigaram is of vesara style. Maha Vishnu’s various avatar stucco images are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

The Garudan mandapam was reconstructed using the different available pillar stones.

Garuda Mandapa Pillar

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Most of the inscriptions are damaged. The Temple might have been constructed in the 12^th to 13^th Century during the Chozha period. Later, the same was reconstructed during the Marata period.

 A damaged inscription

 A damaged structural part being worshipped as Chakarathalwar

LEGENDS

The Moolavar Sri Varadaraja Perumal is also called Adhi Varadaraja Perumal, and it is believed that this temple was built earlier than the other Maha Vishnu temples of Kumbakonam.

As per the legend, Matanga Rishi was on the way to Kanchipuram to worship the Garuda seva of Athi Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram. Due to the rain he couldn’t go. Sri Varadaraja Perumal, along with his consorts Bhumineela, Perundevi Thayar, and all celestial deities, came to Kumbakonam, Melacavery, and gave Garuda seva darshan to Matanga Rishi. Hence, this place is called Dakshina Kanchipuram.

This is a Mesharasi and a parihara sthalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The temple comes under oru kala pooja of HR & CE, and the timing will be 10.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs. Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi and some important Vaishnavite functions. Vaikasi Visaka Brahmotsavam is celebrated grandly.

PC- website

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Archagar S Arun Prasad may be contacted on his mobile number +919442820671 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Sri Adhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple, at Melacavery, is on the banks of the Kaveri River, 3.5 km from the Kumbakonam Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Nanjundeshwarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ நஞ்சுண்டேஸ்வரர் கோவில், Perumandi S St, Valayapettai Agraharam, மேலக்காவேரி/Melacavery, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Nanjundeshwarar Temple, Melacauvery, Kumbakonam, was a part of the Shiva and Vishnu temples visit on 08^th March 2025, the previous day of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், on 09^th March 2025. Thanks to Mrs. Vidhya, who accompanied me to this temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Nanjundeswarar

Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east, Balipeedam and Rishabam are in the maha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in ardha mandapam faces south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Varahi (may be 10^th to 11^th century CE) in standing posture is in the maha mandapam. Bairavar and Chandikeswarar are in the outer praharam.

Varahi

Varahi - a beautiful Chozha sculpture

ARCHITECTURE

The entire temple was constructed with cement concrete, in recent years. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The ardha mandapam was built in the vavvalnethi style. Bricks are pasted in the ceiling for the antique look.

The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam kudam, palakai and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The superstructure vimanam is of 2 tiers with a dravida-style sigaram. There are no images found on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the 10^th to 11^th century CE, the Chozha period. When the temple was in dilapidated condition, both Moolavar and Ambal were moved to Sri Brahmapureeswar temple, which is about 300 meters away from this temple. The original Moolavar and Ambal didn’t return to their original temple; instead, a new Shiva Linga and Ambal were installed. 

The Varahi in the maha mandapam is very old and may belong to the 10^th to 11^th Century.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, the Devas and Asuras agreed to churn the milk ocean to amirta. They used Manthara Hill as a mathu and the Vasuki as a rope. In the process of churning, the Vasuki couldn’t bear the pressure and vomited the poison. Shiva consumed the poison. Hence, Shiva is called Nanjundeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr. Mani, the caretaker, may be contacted at his mobile number +919787774519 for further details and Darshan.

HOW TO REACH

Sri Nanjundeshwarar Temple, Perumandi S St, Valayapettai Agraharam, at Melacavery, is on the banks of the Kaveri River, 4.1 km from Kumbakonam Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sri Mangalambigai.

 

Sri Nanjundeswarar and Sri Mangalambigai belong to this temple and are now near the Sri Brahmapureeswarar temple. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீபிரம்மாபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், மேலக்காவேரி/Melacavery/ Melakaveri, Vaikkolkattu Street, Valayapettai Agraharam, Melacavery, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

I visited Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Melacauvery/ Melakaveri, Kumbakonam, as part of my Shiva and Vishnu temples visit on 08th March 2025, the previous day of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், on 09th March 2025. Thanks to Mrs. Vidhya, who accompanied me to this temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Brahmapureeswarar 

Consort    : Sri Brahan Nayagi, Periyanayaki/ Periyanayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance mottai gopuram with stucco images of Vinayagar, Shiva and Parvati, and Murugan. The 3-tier Rajagopuram is at the second level. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in the mukha mandapam. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Dakshinamurthy alone in the koshtam.

In the front mandapam, Sri Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Brahma (a mirror is kept on the back side of Brahma to have the darshan of the 4^th head), Sri Nanjundeswarar, Sri Mangalambigai, (belongs to nearby temple), Prithiyangaradevi, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Saniswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, and Chandran.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Brahma (a mirror is kept on the back side of Brahma to have the darshan of the 4^th head).

Saniswarar, Bairavar and Suryan

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. 

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Bramha kantha pilasters with Kalasam, Kudam, palakai, and pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. A two tala dravida vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

The mandapas are of vavval nethi mandapas built during the Maratas period.

Bricks can be seen behind the peeled-off lime mortar portions

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original brick temple belongs to the 11^th to 12^th Century, the Chozha period. Lime mortar was applied to the brick structure, and kumbhabhishekam was conducted in recent years. The mandapas are of vavvalnethi mandapas constructed during Maratas. Temple tank padithurai was constructed on 1^st August 1957.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2005 and Thai month, 2016.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Brahma established a Shiva Linga and worshipped it to create this universe after the pralaya. He also created a theertha called Brahma Theertha. An idol of Brahma (a mirror is kept on the back side of Brahma to have the darshan of the 4^th head) is at the entrance of the temple, along with Maha Vishnu. Hence, Shiva is called as Brahmapureeswarar.

It is believed that, one’s fate can be changed after worshipping Brahmapureeswarar of this temple.

On Amavasya day, Nigumbala yaga is conducted from Prithyangaira Devi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 11.00 hrs and 12.00 hrs for pooja.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal S. C. Bala Subramaniam may be contacted on his mobile +919500295743 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple in Valayapettai Agraharam, Melacavery, is on the banks of the Kaveri River, 4.0 km from the Kumbakonam Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Prithiyangaradevi

Sri Mangalambigai (belongs to nearby temple).

 

Sri Nanjundeswarar, Sri Mangalambigai (belongs to nearby temple). 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---