List of Subramanyas 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 this episode, I will focus on all the icons of Kartikeya (also known as Murugan, Skanda, Shanmukha, or Arumukha) found in this temple, using a unique documentation style.
1) A magnificent shrine like a separate temple with its own long Maha and Mukha mandapas with beautiful sculptures on the pillars. The shrine has a massive Shanmukha with six heads and twelve arms flanked by Valli and Devasena, seated on a peacock, famously called Arumukha Nayinar.
2) Nellai Murugan accompanied by his consorts in a separate shrine in the prakara of Nellaiyappar. Arunagirinathar has revered him in his Tiruppugazh.
3) Big shrine of four-armed Murugan with his consorts. A significant shrine which is overlooked nowadays. As it is located near Karumari teertha he is called Karumari Murugan
4) A large bronze icon of Shanmukha with Valli and Devasena in northeast corner of inner prakara of Kantimati
5) Subramanya with his consorts in a shrine next to Dakshinamurti in the northern side of the main entrance of Nellaiyappar. It is unusual to find Subramanya and Dakshinamurti together.
6) Subramanya in a small sub-shrine at the entrance of Raja gopura of Kantimati
7) Murugan in a sub shrine at the entrance of Maha mandapa of Kantimati
8) Three Subramanyas flanked by Valli and Devasena at Ardha mandapa of Kantimati
9) Subramanya flanked by Valli and Devasena in a shrine in northwest corner of prakara around Kantimati
10) Sub-shrine of Subramanya-Valli-Devasena in Ardha mandapa of Mahalinga shrine in Sangili mandapa
11) Subramanya in a small sub-shrine at the entrance of Raja gopura of Nellaiyappar
12) Subramanya, a big attractive sculpture of Nayaka period, near the northern side Dwarapala in Maha mandapa of Nellaiyappar
13) Subramanya flanked by Valli and Devasena in the northwest corner in inner prakara of Nellaiyappar
14) Subramanya in a separate sub-shrine at the entrance of the main section of Nellaiyappar
15) Bas-relief of Subramanya in Kasi Viswanatha sub-shrine in Sangili Mandapa
16) Bas-relief of Subramanya in Shiva Linga sub-shrine in Sangili Mandapa
17) Subramanya in the bas-relief panel of Ravana Anugraha Murti in Mani mandapa of Nellaiyappar
18) Stucco image of Subramanya in Kankalamurti shrine
19) Two sets of bronze icons of infant Skanda as part of Somaskanda Murtis in Anavarada Dana Natha Mandapa
20) Atop the huge Ravana, the infant Skanda as part of Somaskanda group of icons, in the prakara around Nellaiyappar
21) Subramanya accompanying Gaja Lakshmi on the lintel of a shrines in Mukha mandapa of Kantimati
In total, there are 16 stone icons, four bas-relief images, one stone image as part of the Somaskanda group of icons, two bronze icons as part of the Somaskanda group of images, and one stucco image as part of various images in the Kankalamurti shrine, making a total of 24 icons of Subramanya found in the Nellaiyappar Temple. The icons on the pillars, vimanas, gopurams and other small bronze icons are not considered in this list.
Happy travelling.
This article is Part 43 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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Beautiful collection of artwork.
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