Sri Choleeswarar Temple or Choleeswaram is situated in Melpadi almost on the banks of River Ponnai. Melpadi was a bordering village for Chola Empire in those days when the adjoining Kingdom belonged to the Rashtrakutas. This is a much revered Pallippadai Temple built on the Tomb or Mortal remains of  King Arinjaya Cholan who succumbed to his injuries that he attained during a war at Arur close to Thakkolam. His Grand Son, King Raja Raja Cholan built this Pallipadai Temple in remembrance of his late Grand Father King Arinjaya Cholan. The Temple which is East facing is located diagonally opposite to the Somanatheeswarar Temple. An elongated mud pathway leads us to the Temple from the main gate which is North facing. On either side of the passage there is a waist high compound wall with iron grills embeded in them. The Temple has been built in a very simple manner and comparitively smaller in size to that of the Somanatheeswarar Temple. There is no Rajagopuram for this Temple, likewise the usual Bali Peedam and Dwajasthambam too is not there. The Temple has been built on an elevated platform with rock solid stones and Devotees and Tourists have to climb 3 to 4 steps to reach the Temple premises. There are a pair of Dwara Baalakas on either side of the threshold leading to the Moolasthanam. A mutilated Nandhi Idol is seen sitting and facing the Moolasthanam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Lord Choleeswarar is seen as a Shiva Lingam and He is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. This Temple has been designed and built in such a way that the Sun Rays falls on the Shiva Lingam on every 21st March on Uthrayanam. On this day the Sunlight falling on the Shiva LIngam makes it  dazzle in Grey, Yellow and various other colours as though the Shiva Lingam is anointed with Vibhuthi, Sandal, Turmeric etc. Within the Moolasthanam an Anaiya Vilakku or an Oil Lamp which never goes off could be seen. Another important feature of this Temple is there is no Shrine for Ambal as is seen in all other Shiva Temples. Around the Koshtam there are Idols for Dhakshinamoorthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahmma and Vishnu Durgai. Ganapathy and Chandikeshwarar are conscipicuously missing. In one of the miniature Idols etched on the walls, King Raja Raja Cholan is seen kneeling before the Shiva Lingam, casting of all his Kingly attires. A Nilavarai Room under lock and key is found in this Temple. In those days all the Temple jewellery were safely stocked here. A Tunnel which is extinct now is also said to be seen within the Nilavarai. Just above the Nandhi Vigraham a huge Lotus Flower could be seen engraved on the ceiling which clearly indicated that this Temple had come up during the days of the Chola Empire. It is very sad and pathetic to see almost all Idols indelibly mutilated by most Moghul Kings and more particularly by Malik Kafur. Poojas and other rituals are not performed in this Temple and the Temple is currently under the care and control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) who are doing an excellent job in maintaining the Temple.

Contact Details: Venkatesan 96554 55848

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 5 PM

Distance from Thiruvalam to Melpadi is 11 Kms

Distance from Ranipet to Melpadi is 17 Kms

Distance from Katpadi to Melpadi is 25 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Melpadi is 31 Kms

Distance from Sholingur to Melpadi is 24 Kms

Distance from Kancheepuram to Melpadi is 68 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Melpadi is 131 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Mukundarayapuram R.S

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