tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post1955265602357893062..comments2024-03-29T19:10:43.803+05:30Comments on Indian Columbus: Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi Amman Temple - A 7th century temple of TirunelveliKrishnakumar T Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590290180906033207noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-2515550033662413722011-09-22T10:16:49.886+05:302011-09-22T10:16:49.886+05:30Dear author,
The Nellaiyappar Temple of Nellai is...Dear author,<br /><br />The Nellaiyappar Temple of Nellai is indeed one of the biggest, most beautiful temples and holy places which contains amazing architectural and sculptural nuggets which are present in limited places but mainly in the erstwhile Pandya country. Some of these are the Srivilliputhur temple, the Krishnapuram temple and last but not the least, of course the Kasi Viswanathar temple of Tenkasi, 50 kms. from Tiruchy. Yes, the temple is indeed constructed by Nedumaran whose wife is very unique in the Saiva sampradaayam, in that she is only one female among the 63 Saiva Nayanmaargal (similar to the 12 Azhwars in Vaishnava sampradaayam). These temples are Pandya nuggets and gifts to humanity and a symbol of their devotion, valour and many other human abilities. <br /><br />I suppose you may have missed a very important piece of info in your article, which we can call a factual nugget. The Nellaiyappar is indeed a Saiva Temple dedicated to Shiva (in what is another rarity, inside the temple premises on one of the walls there is also a vigraham - but not one worshipped but only decorated with flowers, I think - of Lankapati Raavana - universally recognized as the foremost devotee of Shiva ever born), you perhaps did not point out a very very important artefact - a pointer to Pandya Kings' secularism and which defies their categorization as patrons of Shaiva or Vaishnava traditions. That artefact is the sannidhi dedicated to Nellai-Govindar i.e. a reclining Vishnu which is RIGHT NEXT to the sanctum sanctorium of Nellaiyappar in the temple. Of course, it is another matter that this fact is not revealed to one unless he asks. I accidentally chanced upon the sannidhi of Nellai Govindar which was covered in chandanam powder. When I asked the priest, he said it is the reclining form of Vishnu called Nellai Govindar in the temple. <br /><br />I request that in future edits to this wonderful and informative article, you may like to mention this and highlight the fact which will make people revere and respect the wonderful Shrine that Nellaiyappar-Kanthimathi temple is, much more they did before. Thank you.Narasimhan Srinivasanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01916609003197991999noreply@blogger.com