Saturday 23 May 2020

SRI MEIKANDEESWARAR TEMPLE / THONDAI MANDALA ADHEENAM TEMPLE, MELKATHIRPUR, KANCHIPURAM, TAMIL NADU.

Maha Shivaratri 2020 – Kanchipuram  Shiva Temples  Visit- 29

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

During Pallava and Chozha period, South India was divided in to Thondai mandalam, Kongumandapam, Chera Nadu, Nadu Nadu, Chozha Nadu and Pandya nadu. This Adheenam was formed in the name of  Thondai mandalam itself. Thondai Mandala Adheenam was founded by Gnanaprakasar, during 14th Century. Now the adheenam was headed by  232nd Guru Mahasannidhanam of Thondaimandala Adheenam, Sri Thiruvambaladesika Gnanaprakasha Swamigal.

Moolavar : Sri Meikandeeswarar / Sri Meikanda Eswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a single tier Rajagopuram. The Stucco images of Meikanda Nayanar and Thondaimandala Adheenam are on the Rajagopuram. Balipedam and Nandhi are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in the arthamandapam. Balipedam and Nandhi are in antarala also. Vinayagar and Subramaniyar are in the arthamandapam. Sandikeswarar is in the prakaram.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam.  We could see Pallava / Chozha period Pillars in the arthamandapam. It was told that this temple was built during Pallava period and reconstructed during Chozha period. Now the temple is under the control of Thondaimandala Adheenam and called as Thondai Mandala Adheenam Temple. 

LEGEND:
It is believed that one of the 63, Nayanmars, Meikanda Nayanar  worshiped Lord shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.0 hrs to 111.00 hrs  and 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 Kanchipuramn Bus Stand, 1.2 KM from Kanchipuram Railway station, 28.0 KM from Arakkonam and 65 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram and Railway Junction is Arakkonam.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE




 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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