500+ Year Old - 45,000 kg - Third Largest Chariot

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Tirunelveli, a land of understated wonders, is home to the state's only perennial river, Tamraparni, one of the largest temples in the country, the Nellaiappar Temple and larger-than-life sculptures. Additionally, there is one more pride to be added in the list. The temple boasts  a chariot (Ther or Ratha) that ranks as the third largest in Tamil Nadu, following those of Tiruvarur and Srivilliputhur.

(I have been extensively documenting the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli. Over the course of 36 episodes, I have delved into the temple's layout, architecture, iconography, and shared various legends and historical details. In this episode, I will focus on the chariots of the temple.)

The main chariot stands impressively at 82 feet and weighs 45,000 kg. Initially launched in 1505 CE, it has been running continuously every year since then without interruption.

Photo Courtesy - Wiki Commons


Originally, the chariot paraded with 13 tiers. Over time, its height was reduced to 9 tiers, then to 7 tiers, and currently, it is adorned with only five tiers. Imagine its grandeur in earlier times.

In honor of India's independence, the Indian tricolor national flag was hoisted alongside the Nandi flag at the top of the chariot during the first chariot festival after independence.

The "Aani Perun Thiruvizha," the annual festival of this temple, is celebrated with great pomp during the month of Aani. On the ninth day, the chariot procession takes place. Besides this magnificent chariot for Nellaiyappar, there are four more chariots. They are dedicated to Kantimati, Ganesha, Subramanya, and Chandikeswarar. 

Until about ten years ago, the chariot festival lasted from three days to a week, with the chariot being pulled a certain distance each day. Offerings and poojas for Nellaiyappar and Kantimati were conducted on the chariot itself until it reached its station.

The preparation of the chariot, including cleaning, building decorative structures, stacking them, fixing dolls, painting wheels, oiling axles, and tying banners, takes over 15 days. 

Unlike the machine-assisted chariots of Tiruvarur and Srivilliputhur, the Nellaiappar Temple chariot is pulled entirely by human strength. Thanks to the efforts of devotees, the chariot is now pulled in the morning and reaches its station by evening.

Guiding the chariot through the narrow 32-foot-wide Sannidhi streets around the temple, while the chariot itself is 28 feet wide, is a skillful task. The crowded entrances of shops on both sides add to the challenge. Controlling the speed of the 450-ton chariot is crucial, and skilled artisans manage this efficiently.

The sight of the Nellaiyappar chariot parading down the main street filled with people is a spectacular and memorable experience.

Happy travelling.

This article is Part 37 of the series of articles I write about Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple. 

Location: 162, E Car St, Tirunelveli Town, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627006, India

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