Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

At a distance of 4 km from Tirunelveli Railway Station, Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple is a popular Hindu temple situated on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in the town of Tirunelveli. This is one of the largest temples in Tamilnadu, and among the must-include places in Tirunelveli tour packages. Popularly called as Nellaiappar Temple, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This is one of the Pancha Sabha temples (Copper) that are revered as the five Cosmic Dance halls of Lord Shiva while the other four being Chidambaram with gold, Madurai with silver, Tiruvalankadu with ruby, and Kutralam with images.

History of Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

The original complex is thought to have been constructed by the Pandyas, while the current structures were subsequently enhanced by several prominent rulers, including the Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas, and the Nayaks of Madurai. As per the inscriptions in the temple, the temple's sanctums, gopurams, and the mani mandapam, renowned for its musical pillar, were erected by Nindraseer Nedumaran (Koon Pandian), who ruled in the 7th century AD. The flag stand located near the Nandi was established in 1155. Subsequently, Kulasekara Pandyan I of the Pandya dynasty constructed the outer wall of the Thirunelveli Nellaiappar temple in the 13th century.

Initially, the Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi temples existed as two separate shrines with gaps in between. In 1647, Thiru Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan, a devoted follower of Siva, connected the two temples by creating the 'Chain mandapam.' The Nandi mandapam is attributed to Sivanthiappa Nayakar, who built it in 1654. Adjacent to the western side of the chain mandapam lies a flower garden established in 1756 by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Mythology of Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

There are several legends connected with this shrine. According to legend, there was once a Brahmin named Veda Sharma residing in a town who gathered paddy from local households to prepare food offerings for Lord Shiva. One day, while he was drying the paddy intended for the offering, an unexpected rainstorm threatened to wash it away. Distressed by this turn of events, the Brahmin prayed for divine assistance. In response, the Lord took compassion on him, shielding the paddy from the rain by encircling it as if forming a protective barrier. Consequently, this location became known as Tiru Nel Veli, where 'Tiru' signifies beautiful, 'Nel' refers to paddy, and 'Veli' means fence. The Lord subsequently came to be revered as Nellaiappar.

In ancient Puranic times, this area was referred to as Venuvana, a bamboo forest. The principal deity here is also recognized as Venuvana Nathar. According to legend, Lord Shiva revealed himself as a Swayambu Linga within this bamboo grove. A milkman named Rama Konar, while traversing the region, frequently encountered an object that caused him to drop his milk pot. To his astonishment, this incident recurred daily at the same location. One day, as he attempted to clear the bamboo, his axe struck a stone, causing blood to flow. He alerted the villagers, who subsequently discovered a Linga hidden among the bamboo. The bamboo is believed to symbolize the Vedas, which is why the Lord is referred to as Venuvana Nathar (Lord of the Bamboo Forest), with 'venu' meaning bamboo and 'vana' meaning forest.

Additionally, this site is significant as it is believed that Lord Vishnu observed the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi here. An image of Vishnu holding a metallic Gindi, a vessel with a spout, is present in the temple, illustrating this legend.

Architecture of Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

Spread over an area of 14 acres, Nellaiappar Temple is one of the biggest temples in Pandiya Naadu, and among the most visited pilgrimage sites near Madurai. All its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls, with a massive Rajagopuram. The temple complex consists of two temples, one for Lord Shiva and the other one for Kanthimathi Amman, both the temples are located side by side and a corridor joins both the temples.

The Nandi Mandapam features a sizable statue of Nandi, akin to those found in Tanjavur and Rameswaram. A distinctive aspect of the temple is the 'Mani mandapam,' situated adjacent to the Nandi mandapam, which boasts two enormous pillars hewn from a single stone, each adorned with 48 subsidiary pillars that emit musical notes when struck. The 96-pillared Unjal Mandapam, along with the Maha Mandapam and Artha Mandapam, exemplify exquisite craftsmanship. Additionally, the renowned 1000 Pillared Hall is celebrated for the celestial marriage of Kanthimathi Amman and Nellaiappar. Lord Vishnu is also worshipped here, having witnessed their wedding according to legend.

The Copper Hall of Dance is where Lord Shiva is said to have performed the Brahma Thandavam, also known as the Gnana Dance, as beautifully depicted in the Venuvana Purana. The temple grounds encompass several sacred Theerthams, including the striking Golden Lotus Tank, where it is believed that Lord Shiva manifested in the water and Brahma as a lotus, captivating the attention of visitors.

Festivals of Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

The Annual Car Festival, also referred to as Brahmostavam, stands as the most renowned celebration at the Nellaiappar Temple. Commonly known as the 'Aani festival', it occurs during the months of June and July and is observed over a period of ten days with immense grandeur and enthusiasm. Other significant festivals held at this temple include the Navaratri festival, Tirukkalyanam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November), and Arudra Darshanam, all of which draw large crowds.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

Visitors to the Nellaiappar Temple are expected to adhere to a conservative dress code. Men may opt for dhotis or long trousers paired with shirts, while women are encouraged to wear Sarees, Salwar Kameez, or other traditional attire that adequately covers their shoulders and legs. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Although non-Hindus are generally permitted to visit the Arunachalam Temple to admire its architectural beauty and serene atmosphere, they are usually restricted from entering the sanctum sanctorum to conduct pujas, as the temple is regarded as a sacred space for Hindu worship.

Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple Timings

Monday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
Tuesday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
Wednesday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
Thursday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
Friday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
Saturday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
Sunday: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM

Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special Darshan available for Rs. 5

Best Time to Visit Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

The months from October to March are regarded as the optimal time to visit Nellaiappar Temple, as the climate is agreeable, providing a comfortable experience for travelers. During this season, the temple attracts numerous devotees and tourists eager to admire its magnificence and engage in religious observances associated with Navaratri, Tirukkalyanam, and Arudra Darisanam. For those who are not deterred by significant rainfall and large gatherings, a visit during the Brahmsostam Festival in June or July is highly recommended.

How to Reach Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple

Tuticorin Airport serves as the closest airport, located approximately 40 kilometers from Tirunelveli, with daily flights operating from Chennai. The nearest international airport is situated in Madurai, which is 153 kilometers away from Tirunelveli. As a railway junction, Tirunelveli enjoys excellent rail connectivity to all major cities across India. Additionally, the city is well-served by bus services to Chennai, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Trichy, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Kochi, and Thanjavur. Travelers can conveniently reach the Nellaiappar Temple by utilizing local bus services or by hiring a cab or auto-rickshaw from these locations.