Nellaiappar Tirunelveli is a huge east-facing temple with two adjoining separate entrances and gopurams for both god and goddess who are east facing. The main deity is known by other names including Venuvana Naadhar, Vaei Mootha Naadhar, Nelveli Naadhar, Saalivadeesar, Venuvana Mahalingeswarar, and Venuvaneswarar. Next to the sanctum of the main deity is a sanctum of Lord Vishnu in a large reclining form with an image of Shiva Lingam carved on his chest. Some of the other names of the temple are Paer Andam, Pralayachittam, Thenkanchi, Sivapuram, Trimurthupuram, Ibapuri, Kachabalayam, Brahmapuram, Dharanicharam, Vinduthalam, Kamakottam, and Sakala Sidhdhi Sthalam. The Gopuram of the main deity is 5 tiered and that of the goddess is 7 tiered. Both are east facing and have long passages leading inside. There are 4 Prakarams around the main deity and 2 Prakarams around the goddess shrine. The outer Prakaram of both are connected through a covered Passageway called the Sangili (Chain) Mantapam with a Gopuram on top called the Sangili Gopuram. Totally there are 5 Gopurams here including the three already mentioned. The other two are in the north and west side of the temple. In front of the Goddess’ shrine is a beautiful temple tank called Porthamarai Kulam. Another larger temple tank is outside and east of the temple on the road leading down to the Rajagopuram of the main deity. The sculptural splendor of this temple is very great. The large sculptures of Arjuna, Veerabadhra, Pakadai Raja, and Karna before the sanctum of the main deity speak volumes of the craftsmanship during the Nayak Rule. There is a beautiful carving of the 12 Zodiac signs on the ceiling of the entrance to the sanctum. The wooden carvings of Devas congregated to watch the Lord’s cosmic dance in the Thamira Sabhai si another great aspect. West of the lord’s sanctum is the shrine of Lord Muruga as Arumuga. The six faces of the large Arumuga idol are visible from all sides as you circumambulate around him. Carvings of Ravana trying to lift Mount Kailsash, performing on the Yazh (a string musical instrument), and a depiction of the goddess embracing the lord in fear as he attempts to lift the Kailash mountain are worth spending time to observe the details. The Mandapams in Nellaiappar Tirunelveli are large and created very artistically and intricately. Some of them are 1000 Pillar Mandapam, Oonjal Mandapam, Somavara Mandapam, Sangili Mandapam, Mani Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam. Another mandapam called the Sindupoonthurai Mandapam (Thaipoosa Mandapam) is seen on the banks of the Tamiraparani River flowing in the east. There are 5 temple cars for all the main deities. The one belonging to the main deity is among the largest ones in Tamilnadu and was created in the early 1500’s CE. The car streets were created by Ariyanatha Mudaliar, the famous minister and commander of the Nayak Kings. The Car of the goddess is considered exceptionally carved with more than a thousand wooden miniature idols.
Nellaiappar Tirunelveli is one of the 5 Sabha Temples in Tamilnadu where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed his cosmic dance.
The Five Sabhas are:
Rathina Sabhai at Vada Aaranyeswarar Temple in Thiruvalangadu (Dance – Oorthuva Thandavam)
Por Sabhai at Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram (Dance – Ananda Thandavam)
Velli Sabhai at Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai (Dance – Sundhiya Thandavam)
Thamira Sabhai at Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli (Dance – Muni Thandavam)
Chithira Sabhai at Kutralanathar Temple in Kutralam (Dance – Thripura Thandavam)
