The second visit to this Sree Valmikeswarar Temple at Melvisharam near Arcot was part of the “Sadaranya Kshetram Visit” around Arcot on January 11, 2026, organised by Rameswaram Travel Agency.
This Sree Valmikeswarar Temple at Melvisharam, on the banks of the Palar River, is one of the Shadaranya Kshetras around Ranipet. During the Puranic period, this place was associated with Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram. The Shiva of this temple was installed and worshipped by Valmiki Maharishi.
Sl No | Temple | Munivar | Place | Aranyam |
1 | Sri Vasishteswara Swamy Temple | Vasishta Maharishi | Veppur | Nimbavanam – Neem Trees |
2 | Sri Valmikiswarar Temple | Valmiki Maharishi | Melvisharam | Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram |
3 | Sri Gauthameswarar Temple | Gautama Maharishi | Karai | Kaarai Vanam – Kaarai trees |
4 | Sri Agastheeswarar Temple | Agasthiya Maharishi | Vannivedu | Sameevanam – Vanni Trees |
5 | Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple | Atri Maharishi | Gudimallur | Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli |
6 | Sri Barathwajeswarar Temple | Barathwaja Maharishi | Pudupadi | Soothavanam – Mango Trees |
7 | Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple | Kashyaba Maharishi | Avarakarai (Navlock) | Karai Flowers |
Moolavar : Sree Valmikeeswarar
Consort : Sree Vadivudai Amman
Aranyam : Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east. Nagars and Anjaneyar are on a platform, before the entrance. Stucco images of Shiva, Parvati, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the entrance. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple. Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar and Arumugar are at the entrance of the antarala and sanctum sanctorum. Valmiki Maharaishi is in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is of swayambhu and small on a round avudayar. Natarajar is in the ardha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
In the praharam Nalvar Ambal Sannidhi, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Chanikeswarar, Muthu Mariamman, Kapala Bushna Bairavar, Nagars with Vinayagar, unfinished idols, and Navagrahas.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The one tala vimanam is over the prastaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams. The Sigaram is of the vesara style with maha nasis on the cardinal directions. The alpha nasis are between the maha nasis.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Based on the architecture, the temple may belong to the 13th to 14th century, the latter Chozha period. Later may have been reconstructed with bricks during the Vijayanagara period.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Ma Kamakshi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva. The universe has come to a standstill. Angered, Shiva cursed Ma Kamkshi to go to the earth. Ma Kamkshi did penance on Shri Shiva. Pleased by the penance, Shiva married at Kanchipuram. To witness the celestial wedding, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, the celestial gods, and all the Rishis and Munis assembled at Kanchipuram. The 6 Maharishis (“ஷட் (Saṭ / षट्)”- Six) (Many claim that Seven Maharishis worshipped, hence 7 temples are grouped on Shadaranya Kshetram), stayed in 6 forest areas on the banks of the River Palar, established Swayambhu Shiva Lingas and worshipped. The Shiva Lingas are called in the name of the Maharishis, who established the Shiva Lingas. Hence, all seven temples are called Shadaranya Kshetras.
This temple is for the Ashvini Nakshatra parihara sthalam and Sthala Vruksham, Bhrigu Munivar Jeeva Nadi, Agni Theertham and 300 Theerthas are in this place.
Valmiki Maharishi
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, pournami, Monthly Shivaratri, Amavasya, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Theipirai Ashtami, Kiruthigai, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The priest D Udhaya Kumar’s mobile number +919994041332 may be contacted for further details
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 500 meters from Chennai to Krishnagiri, Bangalore and Mumbai Highway. Melvisharam is at Navlock, a part of Arcot, 6.6 km from Arcot town, 12 km from Walajapet, and 13 km from Walajah Road Junction.
The nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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