Choleeswarar Temple, Melpadi, Vellore
Choleeswarar
Temple is the tomb shrine of Arinjaya Chola, was built over the mortal remains
of Arinjaya Chola (AD 956 – 967), who died in a war at Arur near Thakkolam
by his grandson Chola Rajaraja I in the year AD 1014. This Temple is located in
Melpadi Village near Vallimalai in Vellore District of Tamilnadu and is
situated just opposite the Somnatheshwarar temple across the road. This Temple
is being maintained by Archeological Society of India.
History
Melpadi
is close to the shore of the Pennar river and was the border between Chola and
Rashtrakuta kingdoms. There are two Chola period temples found in this
town, Somanadheeswarar temple and Choleeswarar temple. Somanadheeswarar temple
is bigger in size and has many interesting architectural features. Choleeswarar
temple is a Palli Padai Temple (Tomb Temple.
The
temples are being maintained by Archeological Society of India. During the
Chola period, the town was called as Rajasrayapuram (named after a surname of
Rajaraja Chola I). In 959 CE, the Rashtrakuta King Krishna III encamped in
this town (as per the Karhad plates). This town acted as a garrison to guard
the Chola lands from the attack of the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas.
Three
stone inscriptions dating the 29th year of the reign of Rajaraja Chola I and
one inscription of the 9th year of the reign of Rajendra Chola I are found in
this temple. As per the inscriptions, the temple was originally
called Arinjigai Ishwara or Arinjishwara. This temple is a Palli Padai
temple. Rajaraja built the Palli Padai temple for his own grandfather, Arinjaya
Chola. The Temple is built atop the samadhi of the Chola emperor.
The
Temple
Choleeswarar
temple, the tomb shrine of Arinjaya Chola was built over the mortal remains of Arinjaya Chola
(AD 956 – 967), who died in a war at Arur near Thakkolam by his grandson Chola
Rajaraja I in the year AD 1014. This Temple is located in the opposite
direction of Somanadheeswarar temple. This is comparatively a small temple.
This east facing Cholesvara Temple aka Arinjigai
Isvaram complex is located on the river bank of Ponnai at the out
skirts of the village Melpadi and surrounded by the green paddy fields and
shady trees.
The
temple complex is well maintained and protected within Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) fence. The granite temple structure does not show any complex
plan and the temple never enlarged by royal successors. The architectural
elements 'reflect Chola convention.’ This whole granite structure stands
within the rectangular compound defined by granite perimeter walls. The Vesara
vimana of the main sanctum is small and typically square and includes
sanctum (garbhagriha) Ardhamandapam and mukhamandapam.
From
upana to stupi, the vimana is built with green tinged granite stone. Shivalingam
(3 - 4 feet tall) is present in a 10 sq. ft sanctum sanctorum. There is an Ardhamandapam
before the sanctum. The external vimana walls are divided into segments and the
segmenting is marked by pilasters. The plain outer walls of this
particular vimana have brahmakanta pilasters (four sided) and plain
Karnapathis. Although there is a slight projection of the sala-koshtas,
there is almost no depth to house the deities. It appears that the
sala-koshta deities might be later additions.
The
vimana has the very austere basement (adhishtana) of padabandha type
with the components of upa-peeta, upana, jagadi, tri-patta kumuda moulding. There is
an arrangement of friezes of bas-relief lion at the kodungai. The external wall
surface is divided by pilasters in to well-shaped ornate niches with makara
torana. The sculptures in the niches include Dhakshinamoorthi, Vishnu, Brahma
and Durga and these could be later additions.
On both
sides of the entrance to the main sanctum, there are two
tall, robust Dwarapalakas standing facing each other. Both the Dwarapalakas
are best examples of Early Chola sculptures, demonstrating the mastery of the
Chola sculptors. Makara Toranas are seen over each of
the niche images (around the external walls of the sanctum), with Saint
Kannappa Nayanar in the toranam over the niche without deity, Bhikshatana
accompanied by two Rishi-patnis in the toranam over Dhakshinamoorthi, Krishna
in the toranam over Vishnu and the King (Rajaraja I) worshiping Shivalinga
(Arinjaya) in the toranam over Brahmma.
There
are many inscriptions all over the sanctum wall. The inscriptions are mainly
about donations made in the form of ewe to supply ghee to burn the perpetual
lamp in the temple till moon and sun endure, Rajaraja’s meikeerthi, the
boundaries of the land given for construction of the temple, watering to Iluppai
field (from the seeds oil is extracted to burn the lamps). From the
inscriptions the place Melpadi belongs to Tunadu, a subdivision of Perumbanapadi
in a district of Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam. The ancient name of the Melpadi is
mentioned as Rajasrayapuram and the Choleeswarar Temple was called as
ArinjigaiIswara or Arinjiswara.
Connectivity
This
Temple is located in the opposite direction of Somanadheeswarar temple. The
Temple is located at about 750 meters from Melpadi Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Vallimalai,
8 Kms from Ponnai, 12 Kms form Thiruvalam, 22 Kms from Katpadi, 17 Kms from Ranipet,
21 Kms from Arcot, 30 Kms from Vellore and 143 Kms from Chennai. This temple is situated on the way to
Vallimalai on the Tiruvallam – Ponnai Road.
The
temple 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.
The temple is just after the bridge on the right of the road. On the left is a
small temple to Lord Choleeswarar, also in ASI control. Nearest Railway
Stations are located at Thiruvalam (13 Kms), Mukundarayapuram (13 Kms), Bommasamudram
(20 Kms) and Katpadi (23 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at Chennai (120 Kms).
