List of Icons of Amman in Tirunelveli Nellaiyappar Temple

I have been writing a series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, covering its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant aspects. In this episode, I will list all the icons of Amman - the consort of Shiva in various names   found in this temple, a documentation style I believe to be unique.

1) Kantimati - The Presiding Goddess of the temple

2) Manjanai Vadivambal or Bhandasuramardini - North facing prominent shrine near Pottramarai

3) Eight-armed Mahisasuramardini in a separate shrine in Maha mandapa of Nellaiyappar

4) Amman in Soundara Sabha, which acts as a library nowadays. It is found adjacent to the Kantimati temple tower.

5) Amman near Ammaiyappa Ganapati

6) Annapoorani inside the shrine of Saraswati

7) Two metal icons of Sivakamis accompanying two Natarajas in the north prakara around Nellaiyappar

8) Sivakami in Sandana Sabhapati shrine

9) Sivakami (bronze icon) in Periya Sabhapati shrine

10) Meenakshi along with Sundareshwara near Navagraha

11) Gomati along with Shankara Nayinar in a separate shrine

12) Bas-relief image of Uma slanting on Nandi in the inner wall of Maha mandapa of Kantimati

13) Periya Nayaki in a south facing sub-shrine along with Maha Linga shrine in Sangili Mandapa

14) Bas-relief image of Uma along with Ravana Anugraha Murti in the Mani mandapa of Nellaiyappar

15) Bronze icon of Uma along with Chandrasekhara in a separate shrine near Mukkurini Vinayaka

16)  Bronze icons - Bronze icon of Uma accompanying Chandrasekhar in Anavarada Dana Natha Mandapa

17) Two sets of bronze icons of Uma as part of Somaskanda Murtis in Anavarada Dana Natha Mandapa

18) Atop the huge Ravana, Uma as part of Somaskanda group of icons, in the prakara around Nellaiyappar

19) Vishalakshi along with Vishwanatha in a separate shrine in the west outer prakara of Nellaiyappar

Thus, there are 20 icons of Amman (Umayal) in this magnificent temple of Nellaiyappar. This list excludes other Goddesses, relief images and stucco imageson pillars, vimanas, towers, or metal icons (unless explicitly mentioned).

This article is Part 40 of the series of articles I write about Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple. 

The other parts of the series can be accessed through the below-listed links.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

Part 20

Part 21

Part 22

Part 23

Part 24

Part 25

Part 26

Part 27

Part 28

Part 29

Part 30

Part 31

Part 32

Part 33

Part 34

Part 35

Part 36

Part 37

Part 38

Part 39