Melpadi is a village in Katpadi Taluk of Vellore District but in fact much closer to Ranipet. Sri Somanadheeswarar Temple is located in Melpadi very close to River Ponnai. The Temple is an ancient one having been built during the Chola period. It was King Paranthaka Cholan I who actually initiated this Temple and later on King Raja Raja Cholan had a big hand in completing this Temple. The Vijayanagara KIngs added a few Sub Shrines and showed their keen interest in promoting Hindu Temples. This Temple was ruined and many Idols found here were mutilated during Malik Kafur and other Moghul invader's period.. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Sri Somanadeeswarar who is an incarnation of God Shiva and He is found as a Shiva Lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum. His Consort here is Sri Thapaskrutha Devi who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathy. This Temple is a South facing Temple and the first concentric wall does not have a Rajagopuram. Instead there is a flat Gopuram with a few Idols. On crossing this the second concentric compound there is a three tiered South facing Rajagopuram. Beyond it the Temple has a huge multi pillared Mandapam on the left which is not in use. On the right is another four pillared Mandapam. The area between these two Mandapams are lush green. At the outset is a medium sized Sri Ganapathy Idol made of a black stone. The Goddess Thapaskrutha Devi Ambal is seen in a multi pillared Mandapam and there is an engraved Sri Ganapathy and Sri Murugan Idol which resembles that of the Dwara Baalakas. The Ambal is East facing and in a standing posture. There is a granite Thulasi Maadam, a neivedhiya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Simha Vaahanam facing the Ambal's Shrine. At quite some distance opposite to the Ambal Sannadhi is the Navagaha Sannadhi. This Navagraha Sannadhi is quite different from that of the other Temples since the facial features found in it are very sharp and eye appealing. Close to this is a Yaaga Mandapam where Homams and Yaagams were performed in those days. There is a broken but solid looking Shiva LIngam which is outside the Madapalli or Temple Kitchen. The Temple Kitchen too is not in use for several decades.

Facing the Moolasthanam is a Neivedhiya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a tall Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and close to it is a Nandhi Vaahanam kept in a four pillared Mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is built in a huge multi pillared Mandapam and on the threshold are a pair of majestic Dwara Baalakas. Sri Somanatheeswarar, the Presiding Deity who is found as a Shiva LIngam is East facing. Just outside the Moolasthanam is another Shivalingam known as Sri Muneeswarar. Infact, during the Moghul invasions the Main Somanatheeswara Shiva Lingam was closed with a wall and this Muneeswara Shiva Lingam was projected as the Main Shiva LIngam then, so that the original Shivalingam could be saved from destruction and mutilation on the onslaught of the Moghuls. There are Sub Shrines for Sri Narthana Ganapathy,Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Maha Vishnu, Sri Brahmma,  Sri Aadhi Vinayagar, Vaayu Lingam, Nandhi Bhagwan, Vishnu Durgai and Chandikeshwarar. Just outside the Main Shrine, rows of Idols pertaining to Sri Aadhi Iyyappan, Sapthamathas and other Gods are kept in a Mandapam which is under lock and key. Another added feature of this Temple is that the Vimanam has been built with rock solid stones and no metal has been used. At the entrance of the Temple there are few huge Trees ad beneath on of them the Idols of Naaga Devathas are kept. This Temple is currently under the care and control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). But still all Saivaite functions and festivals including Pradosham and Maha Shivarathri are celebrated. 

Contact Details:  Venkateswaran 98439 91458

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM

Distance from Cheyyar to Melpadi is 59 Kms

Distance from Virinchipuram to Melpadi is 44 Kms

Distance from Pallikonda to Melpadi is 52 Kms

Distance from Ambur to Melpadi is 81 Kms

Distance from Hosur to Melpadi is 202 Kms

Distance from Chittoor, AP to Melpadi is 30 Kms

Distance from Nagari to Melpadi is 68 Kms

Distance from Vallakottai to Melpadi is 92 Kms

Distance from Sriperumbudur to Melpadi is 91 Kms

Distance from Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur to Melpadi is 92 Kms

Distance from Ramagiri, AP to Melpadi is 88 Kms

Distance from Srikalahasti to Melpadi is 148 Kms

Distance from Polur to Melpadi is 78 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai to Melpadi is 112 Kms

Distance from Uthiramerur to Melpadi is 92 Kms

Distance from Yelagiri to Melpadi is 121 Kms

Distance from Devikapuram to Melpadi is 70 Kms

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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