Tirunelveli Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi Temple Structure - Part 5

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Read: Tirunelveli Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi Temple Structure Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.


Statue of Karna - Nellaiyappar Temple

Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi temple is located at the center of Tirunelveli city of South India and is considered one of the oldest and most prominent temples of South India. I have already written a few blog posts about the temple's structure. In this article, I am writing about the main shrine of Nellaiyappar and the corridor surrounding it.


Nellaiyappar Temple Corridor
Bheem - Nellaiyappar Temple

As I have mentioned in my previous blogs, the entire temple of Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi can be considered two separate temples - one for Kanthimathi and another for Nellaiyappar. Like the Kanthimathi temple, Nellaiyappar temple has the main entrance and a big temple tower. Once you enter the temple through this entrance, you can find the exciting feature of the temple - the beautiful sculptures of Pavalakodi, Alli, Manmadan, Rathi, Kuravan, and Kurathi. Each of the sculptures is so beautiful on its own. Each central sculpture is supplemented with small sculptures on both sides and slightly behind. The area where these sculptures are located is called Somavara Mandapam. You can also find the big flag post and huge white-colored Nandi icon in this mandapam. The flag stand is very ancient - it was set up in 1555 CE.


After crossing the flagstaff, a few more beautiful sculptures - Veerabhadra, Arjuna, and Bheema are found before entering the temple's inner side. The icons of Lord Ganesha and Murugan are also there.


 There is a small place near Nandi Mandapa with the icons of Nayanmars and Sekkizhar. There is also a tiny flag stand and an image of Lord Surya. After you enter inside, you can find another masterpiece of the temple - Mani Mandapam - a hall with musical pillars. This is one of the highlights of the temple. The gallery has musical pillars - each pillar has a big post surrounded by 48 smaller pillars, and the whole lot was constructed using a single stone. Each pillar, when tapped, produces a musical sound. 


There is more to write about the structure of this extraordinary temple. I will write about them in my next post. Till then...


Happy travelling.




Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.









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