Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple of Thachanallur

When the whole of Tamil Nadu is familiar with the grand twin temples of Kantimati and Nellaiyappar in Tirunelveli, it's a lesser-known fact that another pair of temples by the same names resides in the Thachanallur locality of Tirunelveli.

Historically referred to as Thachanoor, meaning "the place of carpenters," this village is believed to have been home to the sculptors who crafted the magnificent Nellaiyappar and Kantimati temples in Tirunelveli town. They established a Shiva Linga here for their daily worship, naming it Shalivadeeswarar or Nellaiyappar after the main temple. Locals regard this temple as the original, calling it the Aadi Nellaiyappar temple.

Thought to date back to the 11th century, this temple's age is not clearly inscribed. Adhering to the typical style of Tirunelveli, the entire structure is whitewashed, making it challenging to pinpoint its age based solely on sculptures or architectural features. I've heard there are stone inscriptions and copper plate at the Mandiramurti temple within the complex, but unfortunately, I couldn't access them or gather further details.

The main sanctum houses a moderately sized Shiva Linga named Nellaiyappar, facing east with a striking vimana atop. This spacious temple boasts multiple mandapas aligned in an east-west axis, including the Moolasthana, Ardha mandapa, Maha mandapa, Mukha mandapa, and even an exterior mandapa at the temple entrance.

Outside the entrance, the Dhwajastambha, Bali peetha, and Nandi, all facing the temple's direction, are found. Within the prakara, Dakshinamurti, Durga, and Chandikeswara are seen. While Dakshinamurti and Durga appear to be later additions, small images of Ganesha and Subramanya stand guard at the sanctum entrance. Metal icons like Nataraja-Sivakami, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, and Ganesha are housed in a shrine within the Maha mandapa.

In the prakara, there are sub-shrines dedicated to Kannimoola Ganapati, Navaneetha Krishna, Iyappa, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, and Nataraja-Sivakami. The temple also venerates Shaneeswara and Bhairava among its deities.

To the true right of the Nellaiyappar temple stands a grand temple dedicated to Kantimati. Here, she is depicted in an elegant tri-bhanga posture, holding a flower in her right arm. Chandikeswari accompanies her within the prakara, while Nandi stands outside the temple entrance, facing the Goddess.

Within the same temple complex lies a shrine housing two ancient Ganeshas named Mandiramurti and Vedamurti, believed to be a thousand years old. Legend has it that Tavamani Siddha from Courtallam intended to visit the Nellaiyappar temple but found his eternal abode in the Thachanalloor temple. He had two disciples, Mandiramurti and Vedamurti. Twin-Ganeshas are installed atop Mandiramurti's Jeeva samadhi, while a kamandala (kettle) is found atop the Jeeva samadhi of Vedamurti Swamigal. Nearby, a dedicated temple for Mandiramurti Swamigal is found.

Happy travelling.