The Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple, known as Nellaiappar Temple and Kasi Viswanathar Temple, is one of the famous temples located on the banks of Thamirabarani River, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu. The temple's name is derived from the words 'Nellai,' which means 'paddy fields' in Tamil, and 'Appar,' which means Shiva, and it refers to the temple's location in an area surrounded by paddy fields.
Timings
Open from 5.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 4 pm to 9 pm.
Entry Fee
Free of cost
Origin/History :-
Tirunelveli, a renowned temple town in Tamil Nadu, is named after its groves and forests, which were once dominated by specific varieties of trees or shrubs. The region is believed to have been covered by a Venu (bamboo) forest, hence it was called Venuvanam.
The original temple complex is thought to have been constructed by the Pandya dynasty, while the present masonry structure was expanded by various rulers, including the Cholas, Pallavas, Cheras, and Madurai Nayaks. The sanctums and gopurams of the temple were built by Nindraseer Nedumaran (Koon Pandian) during the 7th century AD, along with the famous musical pillar in the Mani Mandapam. The flag stand near the Nandi was erected in 1155. Later, in the 13th century, Pandya ruler Kulasekara Pandyan I constructed the outer wall of the Nellaiappar Temple.
Originally, the Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi temples were separate structures with space between them. In 1647, Thiru Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan, a devout follower of Lord Shiva, linked the two temples by building the "Chain Mandapam" (Sangili Mandapam). In the center of the Flower Garden stands the square Vasantha Mandapam, which is supported by 100 pillars. The Nandi Mandapam was built by Sivanthiappa Nayakar in 1654. Additionally, to the west of the Chain Mandapam is a flower garden established in 1756 by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar.
Puranic Significance :-
According to legend, when Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati got married in the Himalayas, the northern portion of the Earth became heavier due to the massive congregation for the divine wedding. To maintain balance, Lord Shiva sent Sage Agastya to the South, promising to bless him with darshan in the Southern region in Their wedding glory. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati fulfilled this promise and gave darshan to Sage Agastya in Tirunelveli, along with other places like Thirumaraikaadu, Thirunallur, and Papanasam.
A pious priest of the temple, who regularly collected paddy from nearby houses to offer food to Lord Shiva, once dried the paddy in front of his house. He went for a bath in the nearby Thamirabarani River, but suddenly it started raining. The priest rushed to protect the paddy from getting wet, but even before he could reach the spot, Lord Shiva, in His divine grace, created a Veli (fence) around the paddy to protect it from the rain. This miraculous act is said to have led to the town being named Tiru-Nel-Veli (Tiru meaning holy, Nel meaning paddy, and Veli meaning fence), and the Lord is called Nelliappar in reference to this incident.
The Lord here is also known as Venuvana Nathar, which means "Lord of the Bamboo Forest." The legend states that Lord Shiva manifested as a self-created Swayambu Linga in a bamboo forest. A milkman named Rama Konar, while passing through the area, repeatedly stumbled upon something, causing him to drop his milk pot. Curious, he decided to clear the bamboo trees with an axe. When his axe struck a stone, blood started oozing from it. He alerted the villagers, who discovered a Linga amidst the bamboo grove. The bamboo trees are believed to represent the Vedas, and as a result, Lord Shiva is revered here as Venuvana Nathar, the Lord of the Bamboo Forest.
Do's and Don'ts
Follow Dress Code: Wear traditional attire to respect the sanctity of the temple.
Maintain Cleanliness: Dispose of waste responsibly and keep the premises clean.
Observe Silence: Maintain a peaceful atmosphere inside the temple.
Respect Rituals: Follow instructions from temple authorities during poojas and darshan.
Participate Devoutly: Take part in rituals with sincerity and reverence.
Contribute: Offer donations for temple maintenance and charitable activities.
Avoid Non-Traditional Attire: Refrain from wearing inappropriate clothing.
No Photography: Do not take photos or videos without permission.
Avoid Smoking/Alcohol: Do not bring or consume prohibited items.
No Disruptions: Avoid loud conversations, arguments, or unruly behavior.
Refrain from Touching Shrines: Do not touch deities or sacred items unless allowed.
Avoid Littering: Do not leave waste or damage the temple premises.
Dress Code
Dress Code for Men
Traditional Attire: Wear dhoti or veshti with an optional angavastram (shawl).
Shirts and Footwear: Remove shirts and footwear before entering the sanctum.
Dress Code for Women
Traditional Clothing: Wear sarees, half-sarees, or salwar kameez with dupatta.
Avoid Modern Attire: Avoid jeans, skirts, or other Western outfits to maintain decorum.
The ideal time to visit is October to March, during the winter and early summer months.
How to reach :-
By Air : Nearest Airport: Tuticorin Airport (38 km away). From the airport, take a taxi or bus to Tirunelveli.
By Train : Nearest Railway Station: Tirunelveli Junction (2 km away). Frequent trains connect Tirunelveli with major cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Trivandrum.
By Bus : From Tirunelveli - Distance: 38 km (approx. 1 hour). Bus Operators: Regular buses run between Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.
Nearby Cities and Rivers
Rivers near Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple:
Thamirabarani River: The temple is situated on the banks of this sacred river, which holds spiritual and cultural significance in the region.
Cities near the Temple:
Tirunelveli: The temple is located in this major city, which serves as the district headquarters.
Thoothukudi: Approximately 50 km from the temple, known for its port and pearl fishing.
Kanyakumari: Around 85 km away, the southernmost tip of India and a famous pilgrimage site.
Madurai: About 158 km from the temple, home to the renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple.
