SRI RISHABAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, MELSEVUR, IN VILLUPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

08^th June 2019.

After Visiting Sri Aatcheeswarar Swami Shiva Temple at Acharapakkam, one of the Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam, it was planned to Visit Sri Rishabapureeswarar temple at Melsevur in Villupuram District. It was around 11.30 Hrs when we landed and found the temple was closed. To our request the in-charge of the temple, was kind enough to  open the door and had the dharshan of Lord Shiva. Thiyagarajar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple. Claimed that it is also a Vaipu sthalam and hymn was sung by Sundarar.

Iraivan     : Sri Rishabapureeswarar

Iraivi        : Sri Mangalambigai also known as Sri Gunasmvardhini

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is on the south bank of river Sangarabarani and facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the west side ( back side ).  A Vinayagar Sannadhi is after the Rajagopuram abutting the prakaram wall.  A palipedam, Nandhi and Dwajasthambam are   in front of sanctorum under a mandapam  with 2 Pallava style squatting lion pillars.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapam   and a muka mandapam. The Adhistana is with a virutha kumudham and Yazhivari. Kabotham with nasi is in the prastharam. In Sanctum the moolavar is swayambu, with a scar on the moolavar ( believed that Rishabam worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple ). A 2 tier Vimana with vesara sigaram is on the sanctum. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner prakaram Somaskandar ( empty ), Sapthamathas with Veerabhathirar and Vinayagar, Flower garland making platform, Shiva lingas of Kaalamuki, Thathpurusar, Agoramurthi, Sathyojatha murthy, Kasi Viswanathar, Sahasra Lingam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sambandar, Bhairavar, Suryan, Bas relief panel of Vishnu Durgai, Vijayanagar Nayak period Donors and Sandikeswarar.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Alangara & Vahana mandapas and Mangalambigai. Sri Mangalambigai is in standing posture with 4 hands  in a separate temple like sannadhi with Koshta moorthams. The alangara mandapam also has two Pallava  style squatting lion pillars.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:

Eventhough it was claimed that the temple was built during Pallava period ( 850 BC ), as per inscription the temple was built by Paranthaka Chozha ( 928 AD) and latter contributions by Chozhas and Vijayanagara Nayaks. Pallava period mixture of Tamil and Grantha inscriptions are found on the Kumudam. Adhithya Chozha-I ( 898AD), Rajaraja-I ( 985 – 1014 AD), Rajendra Chozha-I,  Kulothunga Chozha-I, Samburayars  and Vijayanagara period inscriptions are found on the walls. As per the inscription the place was called as Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Uthama Chozha valanttu Sevur and Iraivan was called as Than Thontreeswarar. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of land, cattle to burn perpetual lamps and daily poojas.

MYTH:

The east entrance was kept closed. The story behind that is, many times during heavy rain the flood in the Sarangabani river flows up to feet of Ambal. To the request of the people Ambal Mangalambigai changed the direction of the river and the east entrance was permanently kept closed.

It was told that there was an under ground passage  from this temple to Gingee Fort and the queen used to visit and worship lord Shiva of this temple.

Sandikeswara was cursed by Durvasa, born as Kamala Muni and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. When the Shiva linga was covered by the anthill, Nandhikeswarar removed with his hoop which hits Lord Shiva and blood was oozed out and flowed as Sangarabarani river. 

CELEBRTIONS: Apart from regular poojas, Maha Shivarathri, Pradhosham, Annual festival during Chithirai (April-May), Panguni Uthiram, Thaipoosam,   are conducted in a grand manner.

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since orukala pooja is conducted the temple will be kept opened in the morning hours.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers may be contacted for further details

+91 99621 72565, 97877 20215, 99433 22152

HOW TO REACH:

The place Melsevur can be reached from Vallam to Kongarapattu bus and from Gingee.

17 KM from Gingee, 48 KM from Villupuram and 151 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Arthamandapa

 Vahana and Alangara mandapa

 Sanctum architecture

 Inscriptions- telegu

 Inscriptions

Vijayanagara Nayak Period Donors

 Vishnu Durgai panel

 Sapthamathas

Veerabhathirar

 Pallava style squatting Lion Pillars

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---