The visit to this Sri Meganatheswarar Temple at Melakottaiyur was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit at Urapakkam, Arungal, Kannivakkam, Kumuzhi and Melakottaiyur”, on 19th February 2022. After Panchamukha Anjaneyar darshan, the Anjaneyar temple trustee directed me to this Chozha period temple.
Moolavar : Sri Meganatheswarar
Consort : Sri Megambigai
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing west with Kodimara Vinayagar, Kodimaram, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam. The big temple tank is on the north side of the temple. Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, with Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are on the top of Mukha mandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum is on a square avudayar. The avudayar is very deep and couldn’t take out during renovation. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma.
In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Nagars and Flat stone sculpture of Lord Shiva with 10 hands, standing on a snake / Nagar, hood.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi ( Maha Meru is installed in front of Ambal ) facing south in the inner praharam / Mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum and the Mukha mandapam. The praharam is constructed like santharam around the sanctum sanctorum and opening with jolly was provided on the wall in front of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma. Since there is a small space around the sanctum sanctorum, Chandikeswarar is installed out side. A stucco Vesara Vimanam is above the sanctum sanctorum.
A Suriyan statue is found under the Neem tree near Gangai Amman Temple on the other banks of Temple Tank. This may belongs to this temple.
Suriyan, may be Chozha period
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple is believed to be constructed during Chozha period. The same was reconstructed during recent years. As per the inscriptions this place was, in Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu, Puliyur kottathu Nedungkundra Nadu and the place was mentioned as Kottayur.
The inscriptions on the two stone slabs are kept in the temple. One of these inscriptions belongs to Rashtrakuda King Kannara Devan and the other belongs to 10th Century Rajaraja-I, Chozha period. The Kannadevan's inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp. Rajaraja-I's period inscription records the gift of land. ( Thanks Anbu for the details )
LEGENDS
It is believed that Suriyan worships Lord Shiva of this temple and Sunrays falls on Moolavar during sunset.
This is a parikara sthalam for Rahu and ketu. Devotees worships Lord Shiva of this temple to remove marriage obstacles, child boon, to get promotions in the Job, to get rid of Chronic deceases, etc,. .
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivartri, etc,.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number of the Gurukkal +91 9962267285 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The temple at Melakottaiyur is about 500 meters off from Vandalur to Kelambakkam Road, 1 KM from VIT Campus, 11 KM from Vandalur, 16 KM from Tambaram and 43 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest Railway Station is Vandalur and big one is Tambaram.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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