Choleeswarar Melpadi

Choleeswarar, Melpadi

Saivite Temples - Vellore District

God

Arinjigai Easwarar, facing east

Goddess

None

God

None

Choleeswarar Melpadi is a small east facing temple. This is built on the grave of a Chola king and is thus called a Pallipadai (Sepulchral) Temple. Choleeswarar Melpadi is a stone structure with a beautiful small Vimaana. The temple is in the control of Archaeological Survey of India and is not open mostly.

History

Choleeswarar Melpadi was built in 11 th Century CE by Rajaraja Chola I in the memory and on the grave of King Arur Thunjiathevar (Grand Father of Rajaraja Chola) who died in a battle. 3 stone inscriptions dating back to the later part of Rajaraja Chola I’s rule are found here and according to them the deity was called Arinjikai Ishwara.

Legend

No information

Directions

Choleeswarar Melpadi is about 17 kms from Ranipet on the Chittoor Road. A little before Ponnai a bridge across the River Bahuda cuts off on the left to reach Melpadi. Choleeswarar Melpadi is just after the bridge on the left of the road. On the right is a large temple to Lord Somanatheeswara, also in ASI control.

Stay and Food

None locally

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples