Nellaiappar Temple

Nellaiappar Temple
(நெல்லைஅப்பர் திருக்கோவில்)
Name
Other names Venuvanam, Nellur, Saliveli, Salivadi, SaliNagar,Tharugavanam, KeezhaVempu Naattu Kulasekara Sathurvethi Mangalam (as per the ancient stone inscriptions of the temple)[1]
Proper name Nellaiappar Thirukovil
Geography
Country India
State Tamil Nadu
Location Tirunelveli
Culture
Primary deity Nellaiappar (Shiva)
Consort Kanthimathi amman (Parvathi)
Architecture
Architectural styles Dravidian architecture
History and governance
Date built 700 AD
Creator Pandyas
Website http://kanthimathinellaiappar.tnhrce.in/

Nellaiappar Temple (Tamil: நெல்லைஅப்பர் திருக்கோவில்) is one of the ancient famous Lord Shiva Temples situated at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.

History

The Gopuram of Nellaiappar Temple

According to the puranas, both the Gopurams were built by Muluthukanda Rama Pandiyan and the other important parts of the temple were constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran who reigned in the 7th century. The mani mandapam with its famous musical pillar was built by Nindaraseer Nedumaran in the 7th century. Originally the Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi temples were two independent structures with spaces in between. It was in 1647 that Thiru Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan, a great devotee of Siva linked the two temples by building the "Chain mandapam". To the western portion of the chain mandapam is the flower garden that was set up in 1756 by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar. In the centre of the Flower Garden is a square vasantha mandapm with 100 pillars. The Nandi mandapam is said to have been built by Sivanthiappa Nayak in 1654. The flag stand near the Nandi was set up in 1155. [2]

There are a number of stone inscriptions in the temple. The most important of them are those Veerapandiyan who regained about 950 and those of Rajendran I and Kulothunga chola I. The inscriptions of Maravarma Sundara Pandiyan refer to the Lord as "Woodayar" and "Wodeyanayanar" and the Goddess as "Nachiar". From the inscriptions of Kulasekkara Pandiyan we learn that he defeated the Chera, Chola and Hoysala kings and built the outer walls of the temple with the war booty.[3]

Thaamira Ambalam

Thirunelveli also is one of the five places where Lord Shiva is said to have displayed his dance and all these places have stages/ ambalams. While Tirunelveli has the Thaamirai (Copper) Ambalam, the others are the Rathina Ambalam at Thiruvaalangadu (rathinam – ruby / red), the Chitra Ambalam at Courtallam (chitra – painting), the Velli Ambalam at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple (velli – silver) and the Pon (Gold) Ambalam at Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram.[4][5]

Festivals

Picture of Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car taken on Nov 2,2009

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 chariot 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. During Thaipoosam festival in Thai, Lord Shiva and Parvathy are taken to the banks of Thamirabarani river in Tirunelveli junction called "Thaipoosa mandapam". Special rituals are undertaken there and the Lord return to the temple at night.

Temple Car

Nellaiappar Temple car is the third largest car in Tamil Nadu.And it is the first car to be driven fully automatically.[6]

Muthuswami Dikshitar

Muthuswami Dikshitar composed one song (Sri Kantimatim) on this temple goddess Kanthimathi Amman.This song is considered to be a rare song set in the rare raga. [7]

Song of Muthuswami Dikshitar

Shri Kantimatim Shankara Yuvatim Shri Guruguhajananim Vandeham.. Samashti Charanam Hrîmkâra Bîjâkâra vadanâm Hiranya manimaya Shôbhâ Sadanâm… [7]

Temple area

Nellaiappar temple is spread over 14 acres.The gopuram of this temple is 850 feet long and 756 feet wide. [7]

Temple Architecture

Sangili Mandapam

Sangili Mandapam built on 1647 by vadamalaiyappa pillayan connects the Ganthimathi Amman and Nellaiyappar temples.[8]

Tourism

Near Tirunelveli, are the nine Vaishnavite temples dedicated to Vishnu (the Alwar Nava Tiruppatis).And the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy 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.

References

  1. ↑ Temple guide published by Tamil Nadu gov; page 2
  2. ↑ Sthala Varalaru book published in 2004 by temple administration
  3. ↑ http://www.kanthimathinellaiappar.org
  4. ↑ T. G. S. Balaram Iyer, T. R. Rajagopalan (1987). History & description of Sri Meenakshi Temple. pp.39
  5. ↑ Rajeshwari Ghose. The Tyāgarāja cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation . pp. 69
  6. ↑ http://www.kanthimathinellaiappar.tnhrce.in/
  7. 1 2 3 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/rare-kriti-on-a-famous-temple/article6725927.ece
  8. ↑ Thirukkoilkal vazhikaatti, Tirunelveli District; tnhrce; August 2014;page 11

External links

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