Mela Kadambur Amirthakadeswarar Temple - Revision history

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			{{Short description\|Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2020}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=July 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=July 2020}}
	[[File:Profile view, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg\|thumb\|Profile view, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]		[[File:Profile view, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg\|thumb\|Profile view, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]

	'''Mela Kadambur Amirthakadeswarar Temple''' (மேலக்கடம்பூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில்)<ref name="ta.~~wikipedia~~.org">[[:ta:மேலக்கடம்பூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில்]]</ref> is a [[Hindu temple]] located at [[Melakadambur]] in [[Cuddalore district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. The historical name of the place is Tirukadambur. <ref>[~~http~~://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=986 Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar temple], [[Dinamalar]]</ref> The presiding deity is [[Shiva]]. He is called as Amirtha Kadeswarar. His consort is known as Vidyujothi Nayaki. The temple has beautiful sculptures and the vimana is in the form of a chariot. It was built by emperor [[Kulottunga Chola I]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History [4 Volumes]: 5,000 Years of Religious History\|author=J. Gordon Melton\|publisher=ABC-CLIO, 15-Jan-2014 - Reference - 2023 pages\|page=814}}</ref>		'''Mela Kadambur Amirthakadeswarar Temple''' (மேலக்கடம்பூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில்)<ref name="ta.Bharatpedia.org">[[:ta:மேலக்கடம்பூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில்]]</ref> (Sanskrit: Amruta: nectar Ghata: pot Iswara: God) is a [[Hindu temple]] located at [[Melakadambur]] in [[Cuddalore district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. The historical name of the place is Tirukadambur.<ref>[https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=986 Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar temple], [[Dinamalar]]</ref> The presiding deity is [[Shiva]]. He is called as Amirtha Kadeswarar. His consort is known as Vidyujothi Nayaki. The temple has beautiful sculptures and the vimana is in the form of a chariot. It was built by emperor [[Kulottunga Chola I]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History [4 Volumes]: 5,000 Years of Religious History\|author=J. Gordon Melton\|publisher=ABC-CLIO, 15-Jan-2014 - Reference - 2023 pages\|page=814}}</ref>

	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==

	The name of the temple is derived from the words ''Amritha'' meaning ''nectar'', ''~~Kada~~'' meaning ''pot'' and ''Eeswara'' meaning ''Lord Shiva''.		The name of the temple is derived from the words ''Amritha'' meaning ''nectar'', ''K(Gh)ada'' meaning ''pot'' and ''Eeswara'' meaning ''Lord Shiva''.

	== Temple legend ==		== Temple legend ==
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	When the [[Deva (Hinduism)\|Devas]] won the nectar from the [[Asura]]s, they began drinking it without paying due respect to Lord [[Ganesha]]. This infuriated him and he took away the pot of nectar. When he was passing through this place a drop of nectar fell and got manifested as a Swayambhu Linga. Realising their mistake, [[Indra]] and the other Devas asked Ganesha to forgive them who in turn returned the pot of nectar and told the Devas to worship Lord Shiva here as AmrithaKadeshwarar.{{fact\|date=July 2020}}		When the [[Deva (Hinduism)\|Devas]] won the nectar from the [[Asura]]s, they began drinking it without paying due respect to Lord [[Ganesha]]. This infuriated him and he took away the pot of nectar. When he was passing through this place a drop of nectar fell and got manifested as a Swayambhu Linga. Realising their mistake, [[Indra]] and the other Devas asked Ganesha to forgive them who in turn returned the pot of nectar and told the Devas to worship Lord Shiva here as AmrithaKadeshwarar.{{fact\|date=July 2020}}

	[[Aditi]] the mother of [[Deva (Hinduism)\|Devas]] came here to worship Lord Shiva ~~everyday~~. So, Indra decided to turn the temple into a chariot and have it pulled to [[Devaloka]], the abode of Devas so that his mother did not have to visit this place to worship Shiva ~~everyday~~. Lord Ganesha having noticed this pressed the chariot with his leg and as a consequence one of the wheels sank and got stuck into the ground. Indra then prayed to Ganesha and requested to allow him to move the temple to Devaloka. Ganesha agreed to let the temple go if Indra installed a crore [[linga]]s. However, when Indra tried installing the lingas every piece got damaged and finally Indra went back to Shiva, his pride broken, and requested him for help. Shiva in the form of Lord Amrithakadeswarar then asked Indra to install one linga by chanting his name a thousand times. Accordingly, when Indra completed the penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that he wished to stay in the same place and worship Amrithakadeswarar on behalf of Aditi, Indra's mother. It is believed that Indra visits the temple ~~everyday~~ to worship Lord Shiva in the form of Amrithakadeswarar.{{fact\|date=July 2020}}		[[Aditi]] the mother of [[Deva (Hinduism)\|Devas]] came here to worship Lord Shiva every day. So, Indra decided to turn the temple into a chariot and have it pulled to [[Devaloka]], the abode of Devas so that his mother did not have to visit this place to worship Shiva every day. Lord Ganesha having noticed this pressed the chariot with his leg and as a consequence one of the wheels sank and got stuck into the ground. Indra then prayed to Ganesha and requested to allow him to move the temple to Devaloka. Ganesha agreed to let the temple go if Indra installed a crore [[linga]]s. However, when Indra tried installing the lingas every piece got damaged and finally Indra went back to Shiva, his pride broken, and requested him for help. Shiva in the form of Lord Amrithakadeswarar then asked Indra to install one linga by chanting his name a thousand times. Accordingly, when Indra completed the penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that he wished to stay in the same place and worship Amrithakadeswarar on behalf of Aditi, Indra's mother. It is believed that Indra visits the temple every day to worship Lord Shiva in the form of Amrithakadeswarar.{{fact\|date=July 2020}}

	The temple has been well preserved and the chariot with one of its wheels stuck in the ground can be seen to this day.{{fact\|date=July 2020}}		The temple has been well preserved and the chariot with one of its wheels stuck in the ground can be seen to this day.{{fact\|date=July 2020}}
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	[[File:Horse detail Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg\|thumb\|Horse detail Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]		[[File:Horse detail Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg\|thumb\|Horse detail Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]

	The temple is constructed in [[Dravidian architecture\|Dravidian style of architecture]]. It is classified as Karak kovil, a temple built resembling the shape of a chariot used during temple festivals. Literary evidence is found in [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] works, which refer the temple as Karak Koil.<ref>{{cite book\|title=Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture\|page=32\|publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math\|location=Mylapore, Chennai\|last=Reddy\|first=G.Venkatramana\|isbn=978-81-7823-542-4}}</ref> Similar architecture of halls (Mandapas) simulating a chariot drawn by elephant or horses is found in [[Sarangapani temple]] at Kumbakonam, [[Sikharagiriswara Temple, Kudumiyamalai]], [[Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam]], [[Vriddhagiriswarar Temple, Vriddhachalam]] and [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Kampahesvara temple at Thirubuvanam\|last=H.\|first=Sarkar\|publisher=Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu\|year=1974\|location=Madras\|page=9~~\|format=PDF~~\|url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/KAMPAHARESVARA%20TEMPLE%20AT%20TRIBHUVANAM.pdf}}</ref>		The temple is constructed in [[Dravidian architecture\|Dravidian style of architecture]]. It is classified as Karak kovil, a temple built resembling the shape of a chariot used during temple festivals. Literary evidence is found in [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] works, which refer the temple as Karak Koil.<ref>{{cite book\|title=Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture\|page=32\|publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math\|location=Mylapore, Chennai\|last=Reddy\|first=G.Venkatramana\|year=2010 \|isbn=978-81-7823-542-4}}</ref> Similar architecture of halls (Mandapas) simulating a chariot drawn by elephant or horses is found in [[Sarangapani temple]] at Kumbakonam, [[Sikharagiriswara Temple, Kudumiyamalai]], [[Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam]], [[Vriddhagiriswarar Temple, Vriddhachalam]] and [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Kampahesvara temple at Thirubuvanam\|last=H.\|first=Sarkar\|publisher=Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu\|year=1974\|location=Madras\|page=9\|url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/KAMPAHARESVARA%20TEMPLE%20AT%20TRIBHUVANAM.pdf}}</ref>

	== Significance ==		== Significance ==
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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	* {{cite web\|title= Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar temple\|url= ~~http~~://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=986 \|publisher =[[Dinamalar]]}}		* {{cite web\|title= Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar temple\|url= https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=986 \|publisher =[[Dinamalar]]}}
	* {{cite web\|title= Amirthakadesar Temple, Tirukkadambur		* {{cite web\|title= Amirthakadesar Temple, Tirukkadambur
	\|url= http://www.shivatemples.com/nofc/nc34.php \|publisher=Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu, Paadal Petra Sivasthalangal}}		\|url= http://www.shivatemples.com/nofc/nc34.php \|publisher=Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu, Paadal Petra Sivasthalangal}}

->Materialscientist: Reverted edits by Nayinar_Kshatriyas (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)

2020-12-25T18:12:54Z

Reverted edits by Nayinar_Kshatriyas (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
[[File:Profile view, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg|thumb|Profile view, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]

'''Mela Kadambur Amirthakadeswarar Temple''' (மேலக்கடம்பூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில்)<ref name="ta.wikipedia.org">[[:ta:மேலக்கடம்பூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில்]]</ref> is a [[Hindu temple]] located at [[Melakadambur]] in [[Cuddalore district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. The historical name of the place is Tirukadambur. <ref>[http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=986 Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar temple], [[Dinamalar]]</ref> The presiding deity is [[Shiva]]. He is called as Amirtha Kadeswarar. His consort is known as Vidyujothi Nayaki. The temple has beautiful sculptures and the vimana is in the form of a chariot. It was built by emperor [[Kulottunga Chola I]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History [4 Volumes]: 5,000 Years of Religious History|author=J. Gordon Melton|publisher=ABC-CLIO, 15-Jan-2014 - Reference - 2023 pages|page=814}}</ref>

== Etymology ==

The name of the temple is derived from the words ''Amritha'' meaning ''nectar'', ''Kada'' meaning ''pot'' and ''Eeswara'' meaning ''Lord Shiva''.

== Temple legend ==

[[File:Sunken wheel of Chariot, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg|thumb|Sunken wheel of Chariot, Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]
When the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] won the nectar from the [[Asura]]s, they began drinking it without paying due respect to Lord [[Ganesha]]. This infuriated him and he took away the pot of nectar. When he was passing through this place a drop of nectar fell and got manifested as a Swayambhu Linga. Realising their mistake, [[Indra]] and the other Devas asked Ganesha to forgive them who in turn returned the pot of nectar and told the Devas to worship Lord Shiva here as AmrithaKadeshwarar.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

[[Aditi]] the mother of [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] came here to worship Lord Shiva everyday. So, Indra decided to turn the temple into a chariot and have it pulled to [[Devaloka]], the abode of Devas so that his mother did not have to visit this place to worship Shiva everyday. Lord Ganesha having noticed this pressed the chariot with his leg and as a consequence one of the wheels sank and got stuck into the ground. Indra then prayed to Ganesha and requested to allow him to move the temple to Devaloka. Ganesha agreed to let the temple go if Indra installed a crore [[linga]]s. However, when Indra tried installing the lingas every piece got damaged and finally Indra went back to Shiva, his pride broken, and requested him for help. Shiva in the form of Lord Amrithakadeswarar then asked Indra to install one linga by chanting his name a thousand times. Accordingly, when Indra completed the penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that he wished to stay in the same place and worship Amrithakadeswarar on behalf of Aditi, Indra's mother. It is believed that Indra visits the temple everyday to worship Lord Shiva in the form of Amrithakadeswarar.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

The temple has been well preserved and the chariot with one of its wheels stuck in the ground can be seen to this day.{{fact|date=July 2020}}

==Architecture==
[[File:Horse detail Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur.jpg|thumb|Horse detail Amrithakadeswarar temple Melakadambur]]

The temple is constructed in [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]]. It is classified as Karak kovil, a temple built resembling the shape of a chariot used during temple festivals. Literary evidence is found in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] works, which refer the temple as Karak Koil.<ref>{{cite book|title=Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture|page=32|publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math|location=Mylapore, Chennai|last=Reddy|first=G.Venkatramana|isbn=978-81-7823-542-4}}</ref> Similar architecture of halls (Mandapas) simulating a chariot drawn by elephant or horses is found in [[Sarangapani temple]] at Kumbakonam, [[Sikharagiriswara Temple, Kudumiyamalai]], [[Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam]], [[Vriddhagiriswarar Temple, Vriddhachalam]] and [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Kampahesvara temple at Thirubuvanam|last=H.|first=Sarkar|publisher=Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=1974|location=Madras|page=9|format=PDF|url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/KAMPAHARESVARA%20TEMPLE%20AT%20TRIBHUVANAM.pdf}}</ref>

== Significance ==
It is one of the shrines of the 275 [[Paadal Petra Sthalams]] - [[Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu#Sthalams|Shiva Sthalams]] glorified in the early medieval ''[[Tevaram]]'' poems by Tamil Saivite [[Nayanars]] [[Tirunavukkarasar]] and [[Sundarar]]. It is the 88th Paadal Petra Sthalam and the 34th Sthalam on the north side of the river [[Kaveri]] in the [[Chola]] country.

== Literary Mention ==
Tirunavukkarasar describes the feature of the deity as:<ref> Tirunavukkarasar Tevaram, V:19: 9</ref>
{{cquote|நங்க டம்பனைப் பெற்றவள் பங்கினன்<br>
தென்க டம்பைத் திருக்கரக் கோயிலோன்<br>
தன்க டன்னடி யேனையுந் தாங்குதல்<br>
என்க டன்பணி செய்து கிடப்பதே.}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web|title= Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar temple|url= http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=986 |publisher =[[Dinamalar]]}}
* {{cite web|title= Amirthakadesar Temple, Tirukkadambur
|url= http://www.shivatemples.com/nofc/nc34.php |publisher=Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu, Paadal Petra Sivasthalangal}}

== Sculptures ==
<gallery>
File:Mela kadambur temple1.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple2.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple5.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple6.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple7.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple8.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple4.JPG
File: Mela kadambur temple3.JPG
File:Durga Tamil Nadu.jpg|Statue of Goddess [[Durga]]
File:Agasthiyar.jpg|Sculpture of sage [[Agastya]]
File:Sculpture of Brahma, Tamil Nadu.jpg|Sculpture of [[Brahma]] flanked by [[Yama]] and [[Chitragupta]]
</gallery>

{{coord|11.236737| 79.527060|display=title}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Cuddalore district]]
[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Chola architecture]]
[[Category:Dravidian architecture]]