Friday Pilgrimage: Nellaiappar Temple, the famous Shiva Temple in Tirunelveli

Nellaiappar Temple is one of the famous Shiva Temples situated in the heart of Tirunelveli City, Tamil Nadu, South India. One of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu steeped in tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars and other brilliant sculptural splendors, this is the first largest Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu.

This temple houses a shrine to Shiva and Parvati dating back in time covering a 14 acre area. Shiva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor.

There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum, signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kantimathi. There are several other legends associated with this temple.

The Nellaiappar Temple is bigger than the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, though the latter is much more popular owing to its historical importance.

Antiquity:

The temple dates back to 700 AD and has been sung by the Saivite saint Tirugnana sambandar. Supposedly there were two distinct temples for Shiva and his consort both built by the Pandyan kings and the Sangili Mandapam linking these two were built in the 17th centuries.

The towers also date back to early 17th century. There are inscriptions dating all the way back to 950 AD in the temple. Near Tirunelveli, are the nine Vaishnavite temples dedicated to Vishnu (the Alwar Nava Tiruppatis), the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapati temple with its brilliant sculptural work, Tiruchendur with its grand and imposing temple dedicated to Subramanya, and Kutralam a popular tourist resort with its charming waterfalls and abundant natural beauty.

The region between Tirunelveli and Kutralam abounds in natural splendour. Mention must be made of Tenkasi, Papanasam and Ambasamudram. Further, Kanyakumari the Southernmost tip of India is only a couple of hours away from Tirunelveli.

Architecture:

Vast in area, Nellaiappar temple never ceases to surprise visitors for the wealth of detail it has to offer. The musical pillars in the Mani Mandapam which produce sound in various pitches when struck (7th century AD by Nindrasir Nedumaran or Koon Pandyan), the Somavara Mandapam, the 1000 pillared hall, and the Tamra sabha with intricate wood work, and the Vasantha Mandapam are some of the noteworthy points in this temple. Lifelike sculptures adorn several of the mandapams in the temple, noteworthy ones being in the Sangili Mandapam which links the temples of Nellaiappar and Kantimathi in this vast temple complex.

Tamra Sabhai:

The Copper Hall of Dance is a brilliant work of art, and is housed within the inner precincts of the temple. On the occasion of Arudra Darisanam (occurring in the Tamil month of Margazhi - Dec 15 - Jan 15), the images of Nataraja and Sivakami are housed here, and elaborate worship protocols are observed during the enactment of the Cosmic Dance of Shiva.

A shrine to Sandana Sabhapati (adorned with sandal paste) is located right behind the Tamra Sabha and to a visitor walking towards the Tamra Sabha, the combination of these, the vision of Sandana Sabhapati seen through the Tamra Sabha presents a brilliant spectacle.

There is yet another shrine to Nataraja here, the Periya Sabhapati shrine. Religious services are carried out here on special occasions, and this festival idol is never moved from this shrine.

Navaratri, Tirukkalyanam in Aippasi, (Oct 15 - Nov 15) and Arudra Darisanam are some of the important festivals here. Arudra Darisanam attracts huge crowds here.The temple charriot is a massive one, second supposedly only to Tiruvarur.

The Bhrammotsavam here lasts for an extended period of time during the Tamil month of Aani (June 15 - July 15). Also, a Golden Temple car (First Inaugural run of Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car is November 2, 2009) will run during important festivals like Thirukalyanam, Kaarthigai, Aaruthra Festival etc.

More and More About the Temple:

Tirunelveli is the headquarters of Tirunelveli district and was also the capital city for some time for Pandya kings. Here Lord Siva to save the paddy of his ardent devotee from rain by covering it and thus the name of this place is known as “Tiru Nel Veli” meaning beautiful paddy fence. Here Lord Siva is known as Nelliappar and devi is known as Kanthimathi.

The temple for Nelliappar is situated in the heart of the city admeasuring 850 feet by 756 feet, was built by a Pandya King in the 7th century. There are beautiful mandapams and teerthams in the temple.

There are 32 tanks in the vicinity of which nine are considered to be sacred.The Nandi in the temple is quite big, similar to the one in Tanjore and Rameswaram.

There is a separate shrine for Anavarata Khan built by one of the Nawabs, whose wife was suffering from some disease and on the advice of pundits, she worshipped Nelliappar and got cured. Moreover, she gave birth to a male child and that boy was named Anavarata Khan. The shrine was built in memory of the queen and prince. We can find an opening in the outer wall of the prakaram just opposite to the said shrine to enable Nawab and his relatives to worship the Lingam.

- Asian Tribune -