Melattur Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Melattur Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Melattur is Located 18kms North East of Thanjavur on the Southern banks of Cauvery which is over 400 years old temple.It is believed that, centuries ago, Varadaraja Perumal was brought from Asthagiri in Kanchipuram Divya Desam.

Melattur is the origin of the Melattur style of Bharatanatyam founded by Mangudi Dorairaja Iyer and a series of dance-drama performances called the Bhagavatha Melas.A unique style of Bharatanatyam is practised by the Melattur dancers.

The Bhagavatha Melas, a series of festivities that mark the festival of Narasimha Jayanthi or the birth of Lord Narasimha. The Bhagavatha Melas comprise dramas and dance performances. The dialogues and songs are mostly in Telugu.

The story goes that the Nayak Kings in the 16th and 17th Century gifted a village to 500 Brahmins to enable them to practice and present this rare art form of theatre every year during the Narasimha Jayanthi celebrations. In memory of Achutha Nayak’s contribution to the temple, this place is even today referred to as Achuthapuram ( Melattur).

Sri Varadaraja Perumal is believed to have been brought from Asthagiri (Kanchipuram) and hence he bears the same name here. The Moolavar Varadarajar is in sitting position with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side. Perundevi Thayar is having a separate shrine. Though this is a Varadaraja Temple, the importance is here for the shrine of Lord Narasimha.

The entire Bhagavatha mela revolves around this Murthy. He comes out during the Bhagavatha Mela season and observes the dance dramas. On the last day, the Narasimha Mask ( kept always in the Varadaraja Temple) is brought out and worn by the lead actor who takes the Narasimha role in the Prahalada Charitram.