Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

One of the famous temples in Tamilnadu steeped in tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars , Thamira sabai and other brilliant sculptural splendours. This temple houses a shrine to Shiva ( Nellaiappar @ venda valarndhanathar ) and Parvati ( Gandhimathi @ vadivudaiamman ) 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 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 17thcentury. There are inscriptions dating all the way back to 950 AD in the temple.Vast in area, this 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.

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 (occuring in the Tamil month of Margazhi - Dec 15 - Jan 15), the idols 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, i.e. 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.

A must visit place...

What a marvelous temple. Both divine and our ancient rich heritage meets in one place. Very very big temple. One can't imagine the pillar carvings, sculpture designs. Our ancestors and kings dedicated their time & money for making this temple with 200% perfection which we can't see in any part of world. Each statue is different and lots of stone embossed letters. I wondered how it is possible to image and executed even without any paper, plan , tools etc.. We need to bring our children here often to showcase our rich heritage and made them proud of our India. I have visited in normal week day so no rush and I have a opportunity to worship God very near close and satisfied. Siva lingam is very old and not like the shape we see in photos. It is real perfect linga. With minimal decoration, Siva looks beautiful. Also, worshipped Ambal and seen big elephant Gandhimathi. Near theppakulam, around more than 6 Kasi viswanathar linga was placed very close each other. Never seen in any other place. Also very big nandhi infront of Nellaiappar - mesmerizing. Some cracks seen in the top roofing in main entrance. Since age old structure , it is obvious. Need Government attention immediately to plug those to ensure cracks doesn't spread further to protect our golden temple. For eating, I would suggest to walk little bit around and eat at Vishaka bhavan hotel located end of pothys silks road (near corner of temple wall). Príce is good and don't hurt stomach. Iruttaki kadi halwa shop infront of Temple entrance doesn't offer hand made halwa no more. So standing in the queue in evening hot sun, no use. Better walk a little bit right side and buy the same authentic iruttukadhi halwa from Visakham sweets (their own branch only). Infact, it is written in their notice board as well. They went to advance machine packing so even if you stand & buy evening also you get the old packed items only, I mean 2 or 3days old but expiry...

I recently visited the Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest and most important Shiva temples in South India, and it is said to be one of the five places where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance.

The temple complex is massive, covering an area of fourteen and a half acres. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Nellaiappar. His consort, Parvati, is depicted as Kanthimathi Amman. There are also shrines to other deities, including Vishnu, Ganesha, and Murugan.

The temple is beautifully decorated, with intricate carvings on the pillars and walls. The gopurams, or entrance towers, are particularly impressive. The tallest gopuram is 170 feet tall, and it is said to be the tallest in Tamil Nadu.

I visited the temple on a weekday morning, and it was not too crowded. I was able to take my time exploring the complex and enjoying the atmosphere. I felt a sense of peace and tranquility as I walked around the temple, and I was impressed by the beauty of the architecture.

I would definitely recommend visiting the Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple if you are in Tirunelveli. It is a beautiful and historic temple that is well worth a visit.

Here are some of the things I liked about the temple:

The sheer size and scale of the temple complex is impressive.

The intricate carvings on the pillars and walls are beautiful.

The tallest gopuram in Tamil Nadu is a sight to behold.

The atmosphere at the temple is peaceful and tranquil.

Here are some of the things I would like to see improved:

The temple could be better signposted, as it can be easy to get lost.

The temple could be more accessible to people with disabilities.

The temple could offer more educational materials about its history and significance.

Overall, I had a very positive experience visiting the Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple. It is a beautiful and historic temple that is well...