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.
