Melpadi Somanatheswarar Temple – A Chola Garrison Turned Stone Marvel!
மேல்பாடி சோமநாதீஸ்வரர் – சோழர் காலக் கல்லாலான காவியக் கோயில்!
Once a Chola garrison town guarding the northern frontier — today, Melpadi stands as a timeless sculpture of devotion and defense.
📍 Directions / Location
Located at Melpadi, near Thiruvalam, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu
🌸 Highlights Not to Miss
✦ The ancient Chola town, once called Rajasrayapuram, was named after Raja Raja Chola I’s title Rajasraya.
✦ In 959 CE, Rashtrakuta King Krishna III camped here (as per Karhad Plates).
✦ The town served as a Chola garrison against Chalukya and Rashtrakuta invasions.
✦ Houses two Chola-period temples – Somanatheswarar Temple (main shrine, architecturally elaborate) & Choleswarar Temple, a Palli Padai (memorial) temple.
✦ Inscriptions of Raja Raja Chola I record land donations and officers stationed here.
🏗️ Architecture Wonder
✦ Built originally by Parantaka Chola I and expanded under Raja Raja Chola I.
✦ Entirely carved from granite, including vimana and kalasam.
✦ South-facing entrance and fortified prakaram — Inner mandapa pillars feature intricate carvings of deities and vyalas (mythical lions).
🌿 Unique Features
✦ Separate shrine for Thapaskruta Devi, the consort of Shiva.
✦ Outer walls carry reliefs of Sapta Matrikas, Veerabhadra, and Nagas.
✦ The nearby Choleswarar Temple adds to Melpadi’s identity as a royal burial-memorial complex.
✦ A living site linking military history, Saivite devotion, and Chola artistry.
Chithiram Pesuthada
Melpadi Somanatheswarar Temple – A Chola Garrison Turned Stone Marvel!
மேல்பாடி சோமநாதீஸ்வரர் – சோழர் காலக் கல்லாலான காவியக் கோயில்!
Once a Chola garrison town guarding the northern frontier — today, Melpadi stands as a timeless sculpture of devotion and defense.
📍 Directions / Location
Located at Melpadi, near Thiruvalam, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu
🌸 Highlights Not to Miss
✦ The ancient Chola town, once called Rajasrayapuram, was named after Raja Raja Chola I’s title Rajasraya.
✦ In 959 CE, Rashtrakuta King Krishna III camped here (as per Karhad Plates).
✦ The town served as a Chola garrison against Chalukya and Rashtrakuta invasions.
✦ Houses two Chola-period temples – Somanatheswarar Temple (main shrine, architecturally elaborate) & Choleswarar Temple, a Palli Padai (memorial) temple.
✦ Inscriptions of Raja Raja Chola I record land donations and officers stationed here.
🏗️ Architecture Wonder
✦ Built originally by Parantaka Chola I and expanded under Raja Raja Chola I.
✦ Entirely carved from granite, including vimana and kalasam.
✦ South-facing entrance and fortified prakaram — Inner mandapa pillars feature intricate carvings of deities and vyalas (mythical lions).
🌿 Unique Features
✦ Separate shrine for Thapaskruta Devi, the consort of Shiva.
✦ Outer walls carry reliefs of Sapta Matrikas, Veerabhadra, and Nagas.
✦ The nearby Choleswarar Temple adds to Melpadi’s identity as a royal burial-memorial complex.
✦ A living site linking military history, Saivite devotion, and Chola artistry.
#MelpadiTemple #Somanatheswarar #Rajasrayapuram #CholaHeritage #TamilNaduTemples #StoneVimana #Vellore #TempleArchitecture #HeritageWalk #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan
Melpadi, Rajasrayapuram, Somanatheswarar, Choleswarar, Chola dynasty, granite vimana, inscriptions, heritage, architecture, Chithiram Pesuthada, Suresh Priyan
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