Somnatheshwarar Temple Melpadi, Vellore

SHRI SOMANATHEESWARA TEMPLE

Melpadi, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India

God

The main deity of this temple is Lord Somanatheshwara swamy. Here Lord is incarnation of Lord Shiva. He faces East direction in this temple.

Goddess

Goddess Thabaskrithambal are consort of Lord Shiva.

Interesting Facts

Here Bahuda river flows east of the temple.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 22°C during night)Average - May (33.7 °C during the day and 25 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (26 °C during day and 17 °C during night)Monsoon season - June to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at Temple.
Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the Temple.

Smoking & Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Temple Premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Vallimalai Bus Stop	3.3 KM	9513508001
Mukundarayapuram Railway Station	13.3 KM	139
Vellore Airport	36.1 KM	91-416-291201

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Mukundarayapuram Railway Station	13.3 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Vellore Airport	36.1 KM	91-416-291201

Architecture

Somanatheeswarar Melpadi is a large east facing temple with an entrance gateway in the south and bulit in Pallava Style. The temple has a Rajagopuram, But there is a second level 3 tier Rajagopuram view from Mottai Gopuram entrance. The temple has a Dhwaja Stambham. The vimana is made of stone completely, which is a notable feature. Sanctum Vimanam is of stone dome type and the kalasam is also made of stone. Two huge figures of Dwarapalas at the entrance of the sanctum are very attractive.

The outer walls are Wide fortess type. Ganesh, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are found as the niche images. There are few small sized attractive and interesting relief images on the outer wall of the temple. The southern outer wall in the second prakara has a small shrine of Ganesh. On the south wall of the sanctum, the inscription dated in the 14th Century of the reign of Rajaraja Chola - I is found. The dome and the kalsam are dark black, green colour stones.

History

Somanatheeswarar Melpadi is a Chola period temple said to have been built by Paranthaga Chola-I between 907 and 953 A.D. It was later developed by Raja Raja Chola (985-1014 A.D.). A stone inscription belonging to the period of Rajaraja Chola mentions the conquest of Pandyas and Kudamali Region. The name of Irayairavan Pallavayan, an official who served under Rajaraja Chola is also mentioned. The Vijayanagar Kings have also served this important temple. It seems great grand father of Rajaraja chola was visiting this place after the war at Thakkolam. He died while he was resting here. So, his son built this temple.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757