Melai Thirukattupalli

Padal Petra Sthalam, Thanjavur District

God

Theeyattiappar (also Agneeswarar), facing east

Goddess

Azhagammai (also Soundara Nayagi), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, nataraja, Lingotbavar, Arthanareeswarar, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi, Dirga, Bhairava, Nalvar, Navagraha

Melai Thirukattupalli is a large temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The main deity is slightly below the ground and you have to get down 4 steps to view. All the Navagraha idols face the Sun God here against normal tradition. Arthanareeswara is seen alongside Lingotbavar in the niche around the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Agni Theertha, Cauvery River and Kudamurutti River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Prosopis cineraria), Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram hymns here at Melai Thirukattupalli. Stone inscriptions of Sundara Pandyan and Konerinmai Kondan period are seen in the Melai Thirukattupalli temple. Inscriptions refer to Ambaal as Azhagar Mangai. Melai Thirukattupalli temple was renovated during the time of King Uthama Chola.

Legend

Vishnu, Brahma, Surya, Agni and Bhageeratha are believed to have worshiped the Lord here at Melai Thirukattupalli. A servant of the King of Uraiyur brought some Chrysanthemum flowers meant for offering to Lord Shiva and gave it to the king who in turn gave them to his two wives. The elder wife who lived in Thirukattupalli offered it to Lord Shiva while the other in Uraiyur wore it on her head. While Tirukattupalli, where the first wife lived, grew into fame, Uraiyur where the second wife lived met with destruction.

Directions

Melai Thirukattupalli is about 15 kilometers west of Thiruvaiyaru on the banks of the River Kudamurutti.

Stay and Food

None locally, closest would be Thanjavur or Thiruchirapalli.

Padal Petra Sthalams