Hindu Temple – God Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi at Tirunelveli
Nellaiappar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tirunelveli a city in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu. Shiva is worshipped as Nellaiappar (also called Venuvananathar) represented by the Lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Kanthimathi Amman. The temple is located on the Southern banks of Tamiraparani River in Tirunelveli district.
The temple complex covers an area of six acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Nelliappar, Natarajar and his consort Kanthimathi being the most prominent. The temple has three six rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and six yearly festivals on its calendar. Brahmotsavam festival during the Tamil month of Thai (January - February) is the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple.
According to the puranas, both the Gopurams were built by Muluthukanda Rama konar and the other important parts of the temple were constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran who has reigned in the 7th century. The mani mandapam with its famous musical pillar was built by Nindaraseer Nedumaran in the 7th century.
Nellaiappar temple is spread over 14 acres.The gopuram of this temple is 850 feet long and 756 feet wide. Sangili Mandapam built on 1647 by vadamalaiyappa pillayan connects the Ganthimathi Amman and Nellaiyappar temples. 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.