Nagabharaneeswarar Temple, Melaiyur, Chengalpattu
Nagabharaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Melaiyur Village in Thiruporur Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Nagabharaneeswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki. The temple is considered as Rahu & Ketu parihara sthalam.
Legends
As per legend, Sage Agastya visited this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
History
The temple is believed to be built by Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola (947 CE – 1014 CE) as per an inscription found in this temple. The temple was in dilapidated stated in 2002. The locals with help of philanthropist rebuilt this temple and consecrated in 2008.
The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Nagabharaneeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested).Nardana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Mother is called as Periyanayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There is a shrine for Kasi Viswanathar with his consort Visalakshi adjacent to the sanctum. There is a shrine for Varadaraja Perumal with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in the temple premises. Garuda can be seen facing this shrine.
Shrines of Valampuri Vinayaka, Anjaneya, Krishna with his consorts Rukmini & Sathyabama, Ayyappan, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Mahalakshmi, Agastya, Lalithambigai, Tripura Sundari, Brahma with his Saraswathi, Chitragupta, Nataraja, Sarabeswarar, Bhairavar, Dattatreya, Sapta Matrikas and Navagrahas with their respective consorts can be seen in the temple premises. The temple tank is situated behind the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Tamarind Tree.
Festivals
Krithikai, Sashti, Pradosham and Pournami are the
festivals celebrated here.
Prayers
This temple is considered as parihara sthalam for Rahu
and Ketu doshas. Devotees pray here to remove obstacles in marriage alliances
and for child boon.
Contact
Nagabharaneeswarar Temple,
Melaiyur – 603 108
Thiruporur Taluk,
Chengalpattu District
Mobile: +91 94980 36642 /
97906 53618 / 90947 34948
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 750 metres from Melaiyur
Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Karumbakkam, 13 Kms from Thiruporur Bus Stand, 14 Kms from
Thiruporur, 17 Kms from Chengalpattu, 19 Kms from Chengalpattu Junction, 29 Kms
from Tambaram, 37 Kms from Chennai Airport and 58 Kms from Chennai. The temple
is situated at about 3 Kms from Vengur Junction on Thiruporur to Chengalpattu
route. Bus No 55 C plying between Tambaram and Karumbakkam passes through this
place.