Melakadambur
| Melakadambur Kadambur | |
|---|---|
| village | |
  Melakadambur | |
| Coordinates: 11°08′N 79°19′E / 11.14°N 79.31°ECoordinates: 11°08′N 79°19′E / 11.14°N 79.31°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Cuddalore |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5 km2 (2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 2,000 approx. |
| • Density | 160/km2 (400/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 608304 |
| Telephone code | 04144 std |
| Vehicle registration | TN-31 |
| Nearest city | Chidambaram |
| Sex ratio | 1:1 ♂/♀ |
| Literacy | 50% |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Chidambaram |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Kattumannarkoil |
| Climate | as on plain (Köppen) |
Melakadambur is a village located 31 kilometres (19 mi) from Chidambaram, and can reach at 6 km from Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for Arulmigu Amirthakateshwarar Thirukkoil, constructed during the reign of Cholas by Kulothunga Chola. The temple and the village are well known in Ponniyin Selvan history, as they are over than 1,000 years old. The Sivan temple at Melakadambur is a paadal petra thalam. This Sivalinga is Self-manifested or Swayambhu Linga.
Devara shrine
It is a Devara shrine of north shored Kaveri river. There are 63 shrines along the North bank of River Kaveri, including Melakadambur that lists as the 34th. The well known Nalvar praised the Lord of this shrine and made three pathigams on him. Also Arunagirinathar, Vannacharabamn Thandapani Swamigal, and Vallalar came here to sing in praise of this Lord. In every Yuga some Deva's visited this place to worship this Lord Amirthakadeswara. In Threthayuga Surya, Chandra, Indira, Romarishi came to worship. In Threthayuga Ashtaparvathas and Parvatharajan came to worship. In Kaliyuga, Pathanjali came to worship this sthala.
Karakkoil
There are nine types of Hindu temple structures. Amongst them, Karakkoil is a structure that the vimana is in chariot like structure. The structure is pulled by horses looks an enchanting appearance.
This Karakkoil has been built by the famous chalukkya chola Kulothunga-I in the year-1113 AD the king's 43rd governing year. This temple is like a chariot like structure two horses pulling Ratha. The temple was finely sculptured with many purana stories like Ramayan,krishna leela, Nayanmar stories and other stories of siva. The basement is called Adhittanam this temples adhittanam is laid of 18 layered adittanam called pathmaga pandham, and manjapathram.
Sun Worship
It is rare scene to view. During the 3rd, 4th, 5th day of the Tamil month of Panguni, twelfth month of Tamil Calendar, early during sunrise at 6.15 am, the Sun's rays will fall on Lord Amirthakateshwara Lingam for about fifteen minutes. At that time special pooja's are offered to the Lord. The shrine Goddess Jothiminnammai seems as Kalaimagal in Morning and Thirumagal in Evening and Malaimagal in Night.
Vinayaga
When Narasimhavarma Pallavan won the war on Chalukya, a Ganapati statue brought from the Chalukyan capital of Vatapi — by Sirutondar, like that chola's made a war towards Ganga region by the King Rajendra I at that time they taken a Ganapathy statue and Dvarabalaka statue from vengi region, that statue was positioned in Kadambur temple, the Davarabalaka statue kept in the entrance of Gangai konda cholapuraam temple.
Dasa Bhuja Rishaba Thandavamoorthy
A special idol kept in this temple, called Dasa Bhuja Rishaba Thandavamoorthy, depicts Lord Shiva dancing on a bull with all ten hands spread and holding weapons, with all Devas surrounding his feet. This is believed to be a Pala dynasty idol that came to Tamil Nadu-Melakadambur along with victorious King Rajendra Chola I of the Bengal war. After Rajendra this idol has been kept in this Melakadambur temple built by the king Kulothunga I, who donated this idol and some Vidangar's in 1110 AD. Devotees can see this idol only on Pradosha days.
Kadamba tree
The Kadambu tree is the sthala vriksha of the Siva temple situated here. This village is named as Kadambur because of the Kadambu tree, named in botany as Anthocephalus Cadamba of Rubicea family. This Kadambur then bifurcated into Melakadambur and Keezhakadambur.
Festivals of this village
This village once upon a time called as Thirukkadambur in 6th–19th century. We can know this by means of the padhigams of Thirunavukkarasar and Thirugnanasambandar nayanmars. Every month festivals being celebrated in good manner.
1. Chithirai—Tamil varuda pirappu, Nataraja abishegam Thirunavukarasar guru pooja
2. Vaikasi - Visaga uthsavam for Murugan, Thirugnanasambandar gurupooja
3. Aani - Aani Thirumanjanam, Manickavasaga gurupooja
4. Aadi - Amman Abishegam in pooram, Sundarar gurupooj
5. Avani - Vinayagar Chathurthi
6. Purattasi - Navaraththiri
7. Aippasi - Kandhasashti, Thirukkalyanam
8. Karthigai - 108 sangabishegam in somavaram
9. Margazhi - Thirupalliyezhuchi in early morning
10. Thai - Pongal pooja magarasangranthi
11. Maasi - Mahasivarathri
12. Panguni—Soorya pooja on 3,4,5 at early sunrise
Dakshanamoorthi
In Kadambur temple the moolasthanam is made up as a chariot like structure, on that structure's south side a statue is the Dakshanamoorthi who sat on a rishaba below a kal aalam (stone banyan tree) was a fine example of stone made statue. This statue is one of a sculptural beauty it has a hole on the left ear that extends up to the right ear.