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 invasions. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Somanadeeswarar who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and He is found as a Shiva Lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum. His Consort here is 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 has 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 Ganapathy Idol made of black stone. The Goddess Thapaskrutha Devi Ambal is seen in a multi pillared Mandapam and there is an engraved Ganapathy and a Murugan Idol which resembles to that of the Dwara Baalakas. The Ambal is East facing and in a standing posture. There is a granite Thulasi Maadam, a 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 Bali Peedam, a tall Dwajasthambam 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 who is found as a Shiva LIngam is East facing. Just outside the Moolasthanam is another Shivalingam known as 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 so that the original Shivalingam could be saved from destruction and mutilation by the onslaught of the Moghuls. There are Sub Shrines for Narthana Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahmma,  Aadhi Vinayagar, Vaayu Lingam and Nandhi Bhagwan, Vishnu Durgai and Chandikeshwarar. Just outside the Main Shrine rows of Idols pertaining to 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 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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