Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Timings, History, Pooja

Nellaiappar Temple or Tirunelveli Temple is one of the popular Shiva Temple in Tirunelveli on the bank of the river Thamirabarani. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Nellaiappar or Venuvananathar in this temple. The temple is spread to an area of about 14 acres of land. Bamboo is the Sthala Vriksham in this temple

The Sannithi of Nellai Govindhar imprinted with the Lord Sivalinga on his bust. Lord Suradevar with 3 faces,3 legs,3 hands cures diseases like fever. There is a belief, that if we do warm water Abishekam and apply pepper paste on the forehead of Suredeva. It will even cure severe fever. Pollapillaiyar with Pillaithondu Paathai blesses offsprings to childless women. People worshiped Mahishasura Martini Amman and Manjana Amman on Tuesdays and Fridays during Raghu kalam to get rid of enemies and to get married at the right time.

Flowers, Dhup and Neivedyam (food offering) are offered to the gods. Six poojas are performed daily. Navratri, Tirukkalyanam, and Aarudra Darisanam are celebrated very grandly, and the chariot festival is widely celebrated in this temple.

Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Timings:

Morning: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Nellaiappar Daily Poojas:

Note:
In Amman Sanathi
Lord Chokkar Deepa Aradhana at 8:40 pm
Lord Bairavar Aradhana at 9:30 pm

Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple History:

Tirunelveli is one of the many temple towns in the state named after the grooves, clusters, or forests dominated by a particular variety of tree or shrub and the same variety of tree or shrub that houses the presiding deity. It is believed that the area was covered by the Venu Forest and is therefore called Venuvanam.

The original complex is believed to have been built by Pandyas, while the present masonry structure was added by Cholas, Pallavas, Cheras, and Madurai Nayaks. The sanctums of the temple and the gopurams were constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran (Koon Pandian) who reigned in the 7th century AD. The mani mandapam with its famous musical pillar was also likely built by Nindraseer Nedumaran. The flag stands near the Nandi was set up in 1155. Later Pandya, Kulasekara Pandyan I built the outer wall of the Thirunelveli Nellaiappar temple, in the 13th 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” (In Tamil Sangili Mandapam). In the center of the Flower Garden is a square Vasantha mandapam with 100 pillars. The Nandi mandapam is said to have been built by Sivanthiappa Nayakar in 1654. To the western portion of the chain, mandapam is the flower garden that was set up in 1756 by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar.

Tirunelveli Temple Unique Mandapams:

1. 1000 Pillars Mandapam – This mandapam is 520 feet long 63 feet wide.
2. Oonjal Mandapam – 96 pillars that represent 96 philosophies. Constructed by Cherakulam Pirariperumal Pillai in A.D.1635.
3. Somawar Mandapam – It consists of 78 great pillars.
4. Chain Mandapam – It joins Swami Sannithi and Ambal Sannathi.
5. Mani Mandapam – The Manimandapam owes its name to a bell hanging in the middle of the mandapam and was built by the seer Nindra Nedumaran. The musical pillars were built around a single rock. It consists of 48 pillars in total.
6. Vasantha Mandapam – Vasantham festival is conducted in this 100 pillars mandapam.
7. Panja Rathangal – The Nellaiappar Temple Theru is the third-largest car in Tamilnadu. The first temple car trail was in 1505. This large temple car weighs around 450 tonnes to Panja Moorthy. The Copper Temple car runs during the monthly festivals.
8. Thamira Sabha (The Copper Hall of Dance) – The Copper hall of dance is the most indispensable one in the history of Gandhimathiamman with Nellaiappar temple. Among the different types of Halls, Lord Shiva who performed Aananda Thandavam in the Golden Hall (Porsabai) at Chidambaram, Urduva Thandavam in Ruby Hall(Rathna Sabai) at Thiruvalangadu, Sundara Thandavam in Silver Hall(Velli Sabai) at Madurai, Asaba Thandavam in Chitra Sabha, a hall made out of paintings at Courtallam, performed Brahma Thandavam known as Gnana Dance in Copper Hall (Thamirasabai) at Tirunelveli which was beautifully portrayed by the Venuvana Purana. Lord Ursava Moorthy is also called Thamira Sabapathi and Sandana Sabapathi. The Sanathi of Agni Sabapathi also known as Azhagiya Urchava Natarajar is one of the beautiful Sanathi to be seen. This was depicted in Appar’s song “kunindha puruvamum kovvai sevvayil kumin siripum”

Tirunelveli Temple Festivals:

Other Idols:

Thiru Moola Mahalingam
Nellai Govindhar
Guberalinga
Sanagathi Sages, Agasthiyar, Kabilar
Gnananatha Thakshina Moorthy
Siddha Amavasai Paradesi
Guru Murugan
Lord Suradevar with 3 faces, 3 legs, 3 hands
Pollapillaiyar with Pillaithondu Paathai
Mahishasura Marthini Amman
Manjana Amman
Goddess Saraswathi
Sri Pittapurathi Amman

How to Reach Nellaiappar Temple:

By Air:
The nearest airport is Tuticorin which is 41.7 km away.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Tirunelveli which is 5 km from the temple.
By Road:
Tirunelveli is well connected with all major parts of cities in Tamilnadu and other states, Cabs Autos, and Municipal buses are available from Tirunelveli Bus Terminus.

Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple Address:

162, E Car Street,
Tirunelveli Town,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu – 627006.
Phone:  0462 – 239910

Sabha Temples / Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal:

The five temples located in Tamil Nadu where Lord Shiva is believed to perform the Bharata Natyam dance are: