The Exquisite Wooden Carvings of Nellaiyappar Temple

By Indian Columbus - July 31, 2023

The Nellayaippar temple in Tirunelveli beckons art lovers, but they are only allowed to remain at the entrance. The reason behind this restriction is the awe-inspiring and exquisitely crafted wooden carvings that captivate them, leaving no desire to proceed further inside.

To claim that one has visited Tirunelveli without setting eyes on this temple would be a laughable assertion. Equally humorous would be the assertion of having seen the temple without dedicating ample time to appreciate the intricate wooden carvings at the entrance.

Among the myriad temples in Tamil Nadu, none can rival the splendor of this particular temple, with its abundant display of hundreds of splendid wooden sculptures and designs. In fact, no other temple in the entire region can boast such a magnificent feat of artistry.

Regrettably, the significance of this unparalleled wonder seems lost on both regular devotees and even the locals. It is indeed unfortunate that such a marvel goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

This grand temple technically comprises two temples: one dedicated to Kantimati and the other to Nellaiyappar. In a previous series of articles, I covered all the shrines of the Kantimati temple. Also, I have written in detail about the beautiful wooden carvings in the mandapa near the Raja Gopuram of Kantimati. Similarly, the front-side mandapa near the Nellaiyappar Raja Gopuram also has various wooden carvings.

Visitors must traverse a lengthy front-side mandapa before stepping into the Nellaiyappar temple through the awe-inspiring Raja Gopuram. This remarkable structure was constructed in the 1700s and boasts a Kerala-style sloping wooden roof. The brackets, rafters, and beams of the ceiling are lavishly adorned with a plethora of wooden sculptures and designs, creating an exceptional and unparalleled sight.

The mandapa is meticulously oriented towards the east, resulting in brackets placed in both the north and south directions. Each side of the brackets is divided into four layers, with rows of sculptures and decorations adorning each layer. Vertically, there are twenty-two sculpted rafters on each side of the brackets.

The lowermost layer of projections (rafters) features an array of artistic scenes, including amorous couples, erotic figures, dancers, musicians, and ordinary people. The recesses between the projections are further divided into two sub-layers. The lower sub-layer showcases mythical creatures known as Yazhis, while the upper sub-layer depicts soldiers riding on various animals.

Moving up to the second layer, visitors can marvel at sculptures of dancers, soldiers, and musicians embellishing the projections. Notable duels from mythology, such as Vali and Sugreeva's confrontation and Bheema and Purushamriga's battle, are also artistically portrayed. Additionally, several figures depict warriors carrying various weapons, including a female figure with an elephant head and a Rakshasa with a horse head. The recesses between the projections are adorned with intricate carvings depicting decorative windows.
The third layer from the bottom showcases miniature Yazhi (Vyala) pillars on the projections, while the recesses display various architectural designs.

Lastly, the topmost layer features a balcony supported by pillars, with circular pillars above serving as the meeting points of makara toranas. On top of the toranas, various animals are depicted.

In comparison to the Kantimati temple, the Nellaiyappar temple boasts a greater number of wooden sculptures. The temple is a testament to its creators' unmatched craftsmanship, a true marvel among Tamil Nadu's architectural treasures.

Happy travelling.