A Shrine for a cantonment - Somanatheeswaram , MELPADI скачать в хорошем качестве

A Shrine for a cantonment - Somanatheeswaram , MELPADI

Melpadi was a frontier town in medieval times , situated in the buffer zone between Chola and Chalukya lands . A garrison and military camp were maintained here, hence the name “Padi” . Mel-Padi translates to “ Military Camp on the west bank “ ( of river Pennai) . Somanatheeswarar Temple was commissioned by Parantaka-I ( Reign : 907 - 955 CE ) and was developed and consecrated by Rajaraja I ( Reign : 985 - 1014CE ) . Later kings have also contributed to its renovations and maintenance . Grants made by Rajaraja-I, Rajaraja-II ,Koperunsingan, Sambuvarayars and Vijaya Nagara kings are recorded as stone inscriptions on the outer walls of the vimanam. Somanatheeswaram is a large temple within a vast compound , surrounded by fortress- like walls . Scholarly theory is that it would have been used as a garrison depot in those medieval times . There are two enclosures , like a fort , with the outer enclosure’s portal ,lacking a tower . Devi Thapaskrutambal’s Shrine is situated within the enclosure , separate from the main shrine. The interior of the main shrine is simple with plain cylindrical pillars . The vimanam is fully made of Stone , the beautiful shikara being built of greenish black stone , with a cupola and four couchant Nandis on the corners . Some of the koshta-murtis are replacements of later times . The walls are fully covered with numerous inscriptions . The temple is a Protected Monument now , under care of ASI . It is also a living temple . The most beautiful sculptures to be seen here are the original ones , partly damaged, conserved by ASI and kept safe behind grilles in a pavilion by the second gopuram . These include a set of large Saptamatrukas , murtis of Shiva , naga stones etc. Melpadi , Vellore District , Tamil Nadu 30kms from Vellore Town , 63 Kms from Kanchipuram , 135 kms from Chennai , #ancientmonuments , #templesoftamilnadu ,#sculpturesofindia , #archeologicalsurveyofindia , #cholatemples