Shiva in various forms in Nellaiyappar Temple
I have been extensively documenting the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, covering its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant elements. In previous posts, I recorded the list of Shiva Lingas, Ammans, Subramanyas, Ganeshas, and Lakshmis in the temple. In this episode, I will focus on all the icons of Shiva's various forms, excluding the Shiva Linga form, found in this temple, using a unique documentation style.
1) Shiva manifested as water in the holy Pottramarai tank.
2) Dakshinamurti in Utkudi Asana in a separate shrine near Pottramarai.
3) Dakshinamurti with unique leg postures in a separate shrine outside the Nellaiyappar tower, accompanied by Subramanya.
4) Dakshinamurti in a separate shrine in the southern outer prakara of Nellaiyappar, featuring exceptionally good wooden panels.
5) Dakshinamurti near Vanni tree Shasta.
6) Dakshinamurti as Koshta deity in the inner prakara of Nellaiyappar.
7) Kankalamurti in a separate shrine in the inner prakara of Nellaiyappar, a huge stucco image accompanied by various deities, sages, and celestials.
8) Bas-relief image of Ravana Anugraha Murti in the Mani mandapa of Nellaiyappar.
9) Unimaginably large Panchaloha icon of Nataraja named Periya Sabhapati.
10) Nataraja named Sandana Sabhapati in the prakara of Nellaiyappar.
11) Two sets of Natarajas in a shrine in the inner prakara of Nellaiyappar.
12) Bronze icon of Chandrasekhara in a separate shrine near Mukkurini Vinayaka.
13) Two sets of bronze icons of Somaskanda and one set of Uma Chandrasekhara in Anavarada Dana Natha Mandapa.
14) Bhairava in a separate shrine on the eastern prakara of Nellaiyappar.
15) Bas-relief of Shiva emerging from Linga to protect Svetaketu.
16) Bas-relief image of Nataraja in the inner wall of Maha mandapa of Kantimati.
17) Atop the huge Ravana, Somaskanda Murti in the form of Ravana Anugraha Murti in the prakara of Nellaiyappar.
18) Three-armed and three-legged Sura Deva (Jwara Deva) in the inner prakara of Nellaiyappar.
Thus, there are five Dakshinamurtis, one Bhairava, one Jwara Deva, one Kankalamurti, one Nataraja, three bronze icons of Nataraja, one bas-relief of Nataraja, one bas-relief of Svetaketu protector, one bas-relief of Ravana Anugraha Murti, one large Ravana Anugraha Murti, two bronze icons of Somaskanda, two bronze icons of Chandrashekhara, and one form of holy water. In total, there are 21 different forms of Shiva found in the temple.
The icons on the pillars, vimanas, gopurams, and other small bronze icons are not included in this list.
Happy travelling.
This article is Part 44 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.
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