Famous Temples in India

Architecture

Nellaiappar Temple is considered to be the prominent Temple than Madurai Temple. It is considered to be a big temple in the city with five Gopurams. It spreads over 850 feet long and 756 feet wide in the middle of the city. The sannathi of Sri Gandhimathi gives more aesthetic pleasure than the sannathi of Nellaiappar. The majestic beauty of the temple can be seen from Golden Lotus Tank. There is a belief that Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are disguised as water and lotus respectively. The sculptures during the reign of Nayanmar Veerabhadra, Arjuna and Pagadairaja are found in the composite columns of the Temple. Veerabhadra stands for courage and a mother holding her child stands for feminine. In addition to this, the columns with cock fight, the elopement of Arjunan. The Chakras of 12 Zodiac signs in the roof, Rathi, Manmathan and the cosmic dance of Lord in the Lotus shaba gives visual pleasure to the visitors.The shrine of Arumuganainar is chiseled from a single stone which is above Lord Shiva’s sannathi. Devotees can see all the six faces of Lord Arumugaperuman. Pasuvanthanai Pichandi Annai constructed a musical chakra for the benefits of musicians. Devotees are pleased with the beauty of Ravana with Kailash Mountain and the music played with the harp in the sannathi of 63 Nayanmars. The western side of Northern wall is mounted with the embrace of the frightened Ambikai on seeing the courageous Ravana with mountain.

Inscriptions : This shrine has more than fifty inscriptions and most of them are from the ancient time. They’re carved in many languages such as Krantham, Tamil, Kannad and Telugu. This temple is praised by Thirugnana Sambandhar. One of the oldest inscriptions of this temple is about the King Cholan Thalai Konda Veera Pandian (B.C:946-966). It narrates the story of a courtesan who daily gave ghee for lighting lamp. Through this inscription we came to know that God was named as Bhrammapuri Thevar.We can see some inscriptions in the pillars of the temple which belong to the period of Rajendran-I (B.C: 1012-1044) and Kulothugna Chola-I (1070-1120 B.C). In an inscription about Sadayavarman Kulothunga Pandiya to, The Lord Shiva of this temple is being called as ‘Tirunelveli Udaya Nayanar’ and also the temple has many inscriptions about many famous Kings such as Sundara Pandian (B.C 1216-1244), Vikrama Pandian (B.C 1250-1276), Veerasomeshwaran (B.C 1238-1258), Maravarman Sundara Pandian-II, Sadaya Varma Veerapandiy- II, Maravaraman Kulasekara-I (B.C 1258-1308 – constructed the wall), Munthi Kottu Veeram Alagiya Pandia Thevan (constructed the Pollapillayar sannithi), Parakrama Pandiyan, Veera Sangili Marthanda Varman (constructed the musical pillar mandapam) etc.

1000 Pillars Mandapam : Iypasi Thirukalyana Pillar festival is conducted in this 1000 pillar mandapam.This mandapam is 520 feet length 63 feet wide. During Panguni Uthram, the sceptre giving function conducted in this mandapam.The stature of uchchishta Ganapathy is an attractive one. The Thirukalyana mandapam is built in the way in which the turtleshoulders it. There is a belief, Lord Vishnu himself disguised as a turtle and shoulders this mandapam.

Oonjal Mandapam : 96 pillars in this mandapam represent 96 philosophies. After Thirukalyanam,God and Goddess are delighted in this oonjal and baby shower functions are also conducted every year. Yazhi sculptures are very special. This Mandapam was built in the year A.D.1635 by Cherakulam Pirariperumal Pillai.

Somawar Mandapam : It is situated in the northern side of temple.During Karthigai Somawar, special abishekam is done for Panchamoorthigal at this mandapam.Navarathri Poojas are also held here. It consists of 78 great pillars.

Chain Mandapam : Since it links the Swami Sannithi and Ambal Sannathi,it is called as chain mandapam. In 1647,Vadamalayappa Pillai adorned this columns of temple with ferocious Monkey, Vaali, Sukreevan, Purushamirugam, Beeman, Arjunan statues which attracts the devotees.

Mani Mandapam : The Manimandapam got its name from a hanging bell in the middle of the mandapam.It was built by Nindra seer Nedumaran.Musical pillars were constructed around a single rock,which reproduces unique pitches when it is beaten.When we strike the pillars with antlers mounted on wooden plates, the exact sound is produced.It consist of 48 pillars in total.According to historians,this is ancient temple in Tamil Nadu with musical pillars.

Vasantha Mandapam : Every year during summer season,vasantham festival is conducted in this 100 pillars mandapam.It is surrounded with trees which gives aesthetic feel. This garden is made by Thiruvengada Krishna Muthaliyar.

Thamira Sabha (The Copper Hall of Dance) : The Copper hall of dance is the most indispensable one in the history of Gandhimathiamman with Nellaiappar temple.Among the different type of Halls,Lord Shiva who performed Aananda Thandavam in the Golden Hall (Porsabai) at Chidambaram,Urduva Thandavam in Ruby Hall(Rathna Sabai) at Thiruvalangadu, Sundara Thandavam in Silver Hall(Velli Sabai) at Madurai,Asaba Thandavam in Chitra Sabha,a hall made out of paintings at Courtallam, performed Brahma Thandavam known as Gnana Dance in Copper Hall (Thamirasabai) at Tirunelveli which was beautifully portrayed by the Venuvana Purana.Lord Ursava Moorthy is also called as Thamira Sabapathi and Sandana Sabapathi.The Sannithi of Agni Sabapathi also known as Azhagiya Urchava Natarajar is one of the beautiful sannithi to be seen.This was depicted in Appar’s song “kunindha puruvamum kovvai sevvayil kumin siripum”.

Koneru : Potraamarai Theertham (Swarna Pushkarani), Kari Uru Maari Theertham, Velitheppakulam (Chandrapushkarani) Sinthupoonthurai includes 32 Theerthas.