Nellaiappar Temple Corridor is a Hindu Temple devoted to the deity ShivaTirunelveli situated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Nellaiappar (also known as Venuvananathar) is the lingam form of Shiva, and Parvati is represented by Kanthimathi Amman.

The northern banks of the Thamirabarani River in the Tirunelveli district are home to the temple.  

The ruling god is honored in the Paadal Petra Sthalam category of the Tevaram, a canonical work of Tamil Saiva authored by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars in the 7th century. 

All of the shrines in the fourteen-acre temple complex are surrounded by concentric rectangular walls. 

The most well-known shrines in the temple are dedicated to Swamy Nellaiappar and his wife, Sri Kanthimathi Ambal. 

There are three daily rituals, six monthly festivals, and three daily rituals from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in this temple.  

The most important celebration held at the temple is the Brahmotsavam festival, which takes place during the Tamil month of Aani (June-July). 

Masonry structures were added by the Cholas, Pallavas, Cheras, and Madurai Nayaks to the original complex, which was likely constructed by the Pandyas.  

Mythology Importance 

The Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli is a must-see. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, Gandhimathi sacrificed herself to Lord Shiva for His blessings.  

The goddess Umadevi left her home on Kabilai Hill, traveled to Venuvanam with two measures of paddy, and helped cultivate the rise of philanthropy there.

While meditating on the banks of the Kamb River, she had a vision of Lord Shiva, which led to her marriage.  

The Lord and the Ambaal worked together to show us how to enjoy this world while keeping us safe.  

The Goddess came to Earth as Goddess Kamatchi to instill the value of penance in her people.  

In this temple, God revealed through a divine game (Thiruvilaiyadal) that He is present in every living thing and that every soul will one day be reunited with Him. 

Vedha Sharma, a Brahmin, begged for rice grains and laid them out to dry on the floor as an offering to Lord Shiva.

The city was being pounded by rain, so Vedha Sharma prayed to God. When he prayed to Lord Shiva to protect the paddy seeds from the rain, the god listened.  

So they started calling him Nelvelinathar. From that point on, locals just referred to the area as Thirunelveli. 

History Of Nellaiappar Temple 

Nellaiappar Temple Tirunelveli is one of the numerous temple towns in the state, each of which takes its name from the groves, clusters, or woods that are home to the presiding deity and are dominated by a specific kind of tree or plant.  

The name “Venuvanam” comes from the popular myth that the area was formerly covered in Venu forest. 

Masonry structures were added by the Cholas, Pallavas, Cheras, and Madurai Nayaks to the original complex, which was likely constructed by the Pandyas. 

Nindraseer Nedumaran (Koon Pandian), who ruled in the seventh century AD, built the temple’s sanctums and gopurams.  

Nindraseer Nedumaran probably also constructed the mani mandapam, which is known for its distinctive melodic pillar.  

The flagpole at the Nandi was erected in 1155. The exterior wall of the Thirunelveli Nellaiappar temple was constructed by the later Pandya, Kulasekara Pandyan I, in the 13th century. 

Originally, there was some distance between the Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi temples. The “Chain mandapam” (in Tamil Sangili Mandapam) was constructed between the two temples in 1647 by Thiru Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan, a devoted follower of Siva.  

A square vasantha mandapam supported by 100 pillars is at the heart of the Flower Garden. Sivanthiappa Nayakar is credited with constructing the Nandi mandapam in 1654.

Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar planted the flower garden to the west of the chain mandapam in 1756. 

Inscriptions of stone can be found throughout the temple. Veerapandiyan, who ruled around 950 AD, Rajendran I, and Kulothunga Chola I are the most notable. 

Lord is called “Woodayar” and “Wodeyanayanar” in the inscriptions of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan, while the Goddess is called “Nachiar.”  

According to his inscriptions, Kulasekkara Pandiyan used his spoils of war over the Chera, Chola, and Hoysala rulers to construct the temple’s peristyle.

Literature References To Tirunelveli 

Several works of classic Tamil literature include references to the city of Tirunelveli. You can find some of the more intriguing references in: 

• U.V. Saminatha Iyer refers to Tirunelveli as Saliyur in his Madurai Kanji. 
• There is the Third Thirumarai of Thirugana Sambandar, the Seventh and Twelfth. 
• Tirumarai of Sundara Moorthy Nayanar, the Pillai of Azhagiya Sokkanathar, Gandhiyammai Pillai of Tamil, and the Pillai of Thirchendur of Tamil by Pagazhikoothar. 

• The history of the Thirunelveli Shrine, authored by Nellaiyappar Pillai, consists of more than 6,000 verses of poetry and is divided into 120 parts. 

Nellaiappar Temple Most Important Festivals 

Numerous celebrations draw worshippers to the Nellaiappar temple from far and wide. Major festivals held in this region go beyond the weekly and monthly holidays. 

In the Tamil month of Aani, the Arudra Darisanam Brahmotsavam is celebrated. 

As the celestial wedding day of Lord Nellaiappar and Goddess Sivakami, the Tirukalyanam festival (Aippasi month, October 15–November 15) is held during the Tamil month of Thai.

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