Nellaiapar Temple Arulmigu Swami Nellaiappar

Nellaiappar Temple

Nellaiapar temple of Arulmigu Swami Nellaiappar and Arultharum Kanthimathi Ambal is sited in Tirunelveli Town at Tirunelveli. A sacred River named- Tamirabharani which has been referred to by poets as "Porunai" routes round the city. The town was a bamboo forest lomg back;and thus was popular among the local residents as "Venuvanam". This distinguished temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the famous and the largest temples in Tamil Nadu. This notable Shiva temple is famous for its Musical Pillars, interior sculptures and other inscribed Drawings and Arts. The main deity of Kanthimathi Nellaiyappar Temple is famed as a 'Suyambu Lingam'

Pre-dominantly, the main temple complex consists of two huge temples, one for Lord Shiva called as- Nellaiappar temple and the other for his beauteous second-half Parvathi named- Kanthimathi Ammai temple. The erstwhile temple is also known as 'Swamy Venunathar', 'Nelveli Nathar', 'Chaleevadeesar' and later by the names 'Vadivudaya Ammai' and 'Kamakottamudaya Naachiyaar'and these are linked by a big terraced hall- Sangili Mandapam.

MahaShivratri is celebrated among the local devotees and the tourists with a great fervour, devotion and zeal every year. A fest has been organised by the local devotees and the organisers to celebrate this big festival annually.

Car festival is also observed every year during Aani (June- July) other than MahaShivratri. Temple has 5 cars for Vinayakar, Murugan, Nellaiappar, Kanthimathi, Sandikaeswarar inside the temple premise.