nice that you asked. for a period of nearly three years I used to visit this temple once every month.
the most innaccesible roads with pot holes bigger than bus tires
malapadi ( this spelling is easier) is on the banks of kollidam near ariyalur tanjore and trichy.thiru malapadi is equidistant from tanjore, trichy and ariyalur. it takes an hour and a half from all these places though distances are less. there is a road that connects ariyalur with tanjore. where this road cuts kollidam( thirumanur- our member muruganandams anscestors were from here I guess) a side road takes you to thirumalapadi 6-7 km.
the nearest famous temple is paluvur( paluvettaraiyar and nandini)
a very historic temple. associated with all the thevaram trio. also maternal grandpa side of uthama sola. plenty of kalvettus. god is called vajranathar.