Gajendra Varadarajar Melpalandai

Vaishnavite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Gajendra Varadarajar, facing east

Goddess

Perundevi Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garudan, Aandal

Gajendra Varadarajar Melpalandai is a large, ancient, east facing temple which is dilapidated to a large extent now. A 5 tiered Rajagopuram overgrown with plants is at the east facing entrance. A large Prakaram houses the Sanctum Sanctorum and Shrines. A stone Dwajasthambam and flag staff is followed by Garudan in a small and tall Mantapam facing the lord. There are a few carvings and idols strewn about inside the compound wall. Gajendra Varadarajar Melpalandai is located at the Sangam of Cheyyar with another minor river. A popular Amman temple is just adjacent on the other side of the road.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Cheyyar River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Gajendra Varadarajar Melpalandai is an ancient temple as is evident from the few stone inscriptions we found on the sanctum walls. But the details of that and historical information are not available as of now.

Legend

Gajendra Varadarajar Melpalandai is a temple that is connected with the legend of Lord Mahavishnu coming down to earth to protect Gajendra, (a king in the form of an elephant), from the clutches of Makara, the Crocodile, that had grasped its legs. With the Lord’s grace, Gajendra achieved Moksha, Salvation.

Directions

Gajendra Varadarajar Melpalandai is 11 kilometers east of Aarani and about 20 kilometers west of Cheyyar. Please refere to our map below for exact location.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Cheyyar, Aarani.

Vaishnavite Temples

Gajendra Varadarajar, Melpalandai