Sivaloganathar Temple, Melpattambakkam, Cuddalore
Sivaloganathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Melpattambakkam in Panruti Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sivaloganathar and Mother is called as Gnana Parvathi. The Temple is situated on the banks of Thenpennai River. The Temple is believed to be around 400 years old.
Legends
It is believed that the village was gifted to Bhattars. Hence this village was called as Bhattar Pakkam during ancient times. Later the name got corrupted Pattambakkam.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Sivaloganathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Mother is called as Gnana Parvathi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There is shrine for Somanathar in North Indian style in this Temple.
There is a shrine for Irattai Vinayagar under Vanni
Tree. Also, there is a Lingam with Nandhi facing towards it can be found under
Magizha Tree. Sarabeswarar Shrine can be found near Magizha Tree. He is facing
south and the shrine seems to be of recent construction. There is a south
facing Natarajar shrine near to Sarabeswarar Shrine. There is a Nalvar shrine
on an elevated platform in the corridor. There are shrines of Vinayagar and
Murugan in the Temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 700 meters from Melpattambakkam
Railway Station, 5 Kms from Nellikkuppam, 9 Kms from Panruti, 9 Kms from
Panruti Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Panruti Railway Station, 17 Kms from Cuddalore,
21 Kms from Cuddalore Port Junction Railway Station, 40 Kms from Puducherry
Airport and 166 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on Cuddalore
to Panruti Route.