Lord Nellaiappar and Goddess Kanthimathi Temple - Tiru-Nel-Veli

பெருந் தண்மா மலர்மிசை அயன் அவன் அனையவர் பேணுகல்வித்
திருந்து மா மறையவர் திருநெல்வேலி உறை செல்வர்தம்மைப்
பொருந்து நீர்த்தடம் மல்கு புகலியுள் ஞானசம்பந்தன் சொன்ன
அருந்தமிழ் மாலைகள் பாடி ஆடக் கெடும் அருவினையே.
திருநெல்வேலி பதிகம் 

A visit to Tirunelveli is incomplete without having a Darshan of Lord Nellaiappar. One of the oldest, biggest and famous temples in Tamilnadu is Lord Nellaiappar temple in Tirunelveli. The city, Tiru-Nel-Veli is named after its presiding deity Lord Nellaiappar. The temple is magnificent, known for its architectural beauty with 5 gopurams, spreading over 14 acres of land and the history of this temple dates back to 7th Century AD. The most significant aspects of this temple are Musical Pillars, 1000 pillared mandapam (ஆயிரம் கால் மண்டபம் ), Copper Dance Hall (Thamira Sabha - தாமிர சபை ), Huge temple tank and Lord Arumugan statue. The temple chariot (தேர் ) is one of the third largest in Tamilnadu.Saint Muthuswamy Dikshitar has composed the krithi, "Sri Kanthimathim", in Hemavathi Ragam, at Goddess Kanthimathi Temple.

History: Lord Shiva as "Venuvana Nathar"


Lord Nellaiappar
Once during the reign of King Muzhuthum Kanda Pandian, a milkman named Rama Konar while crossing a Bamboo forest with his Milk Can stumbled upon a Bamboo branch. Though the pot of milk spilled, his pot was not broken. This incident happened almost everyday in the same spot, though he took more precautions each time. One day while he tried to clear the Bamboo with his axe, suddenly blood started oozing out from a stone. Surprised and anxious, he informed the King, who then prayed to Lord Shiva to show His manifestation. It was then Lord Shiva, revealed Himself as a huge "Swayambu Linga" (Self created). Lord Shiva is called as Venuvana Nathar (Lord of Bamboo forest). Veimuthar and VendaValarthaNathar are His other names. According to the archagar of the temple, only a few feet of the Lingam is shown, the rest of the lingam is still hidden deep down the earth. 

Lord Shiva as "Nellaiappar":
About 2000 years back once a severe drought affected the entire kingdom of King Muzhuthum Kanda Rama Pandian for nearly 12 years. A poor and pious priest by name Veda Sharma, used to collect paddy from different houses, cooked rice out of it and offered it to Lord Shiva. Once he had dried the paddy so collected in front of the 
Drying paddy in a field
temple and had gone to take bath. Suddenly there was a heavy down pore of rain and the worried Veda Sharma, rushed to collect the paddy. To his surprise, he saw that not a single grain of paddy was wet and the rain had made a fence (வேலி) around the paddy (நெல்) and Sun was shining brightly over the place to safeguard the paddy. This was indeed a miracle by Lord Shiva to exhibit the dedication of His devotee. From then on Lord Shiva came to be known as Lord Nel Veli Nathar or Nellaiappar (Guardian of Paddy) and the place was renamed as Tiru-Nel-Veli.

Pilgrimage: There are basically two temples with separate gopurams, one for Lord Nellaiappar and the other for Goddess Kanthimathi built by the Pandian kings. Both the temples are connected to each other through the 
Nellaiappar Gopuram
Sangili Mandapam built during the 17 century AD.The southern entrance to the main temple of Lord Nellaiappar, is adorned with beautiful stone sculptures depicting the architectural marvel of Nayak Kings. Crossing these huge stone sculptures we entered the "Sangili Mandapam" to reach Goddess Kanthimathi Amman temple. It is a traditional practice to first visit Goddess Kanthimathi Amman, before getting the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Sangili Mandapam
In the "Sangili Mandapam" one could see scriptures of Hanuman, Vaali, Sugrevan, Bheema and also Arjuna. Sannidhi of Ayyappa, Manjal Vadivamman and Mahishasura Mardhini could be seen. Towards the left of Sangili mandapam near the temple pond, is the sanctum (sannidhi) of Goddess Saraswathi. There are many Shiva Linga's named Kasi Vishwanatha.


Kanthimathi Amman
Goddess Kanthimathi:Goddess Kanthimathi Amman statue is exquisite with a graceful smile holding a lotus in her hand. Her beauty could only be matched to that of a Moon and hence the name.  The statue is of exemplary architectural excellence and hence the name "Vadivammai". On seeing Her, our mind becomes peaceful and calm, and Her aura is so powerful that it simply transcends us to another world. Goddess Parvati, is believed to have made penance at this place, to marry Lord Shiva. This is celebrated as a separate festival (Brahmotsavam) during the Tamil month of Aippasi (ஐப்பசி). During the first 10 days of this festival, Goddess Kanthimathi, performs penance in order to marry Lord Shiva. On the 10th day, Goddess Kanthimathi alias Vadivammai, manifests Herself near the pond. On the 
11th day, Lord Vishnu seeks Lord Shiva's hand in marriage for His sister.Marriage is performed in a grand manner in the 1000 hall mandapam. The hall has 1000 pillars which is of architectural excellence. Unjal festival (Goddess and Lord sitting in a swing) is celebrated next 3 days at the Unjal Mandapam and this marks the end of the Brahmotsavam.

Goddess Kanthimathi Amman is given an equal importance in this temple as that of Lord Nellaiappar. Pradhosham utsavam is usually performed for Lord Shiva alone, however in this temple, it is also celebrated for Goddesss Kanthimathi
Nellaiappar Temple Corridor
Abhishegam is performed to "Nandhi" mounted in front of Goddess Kanthimathi. It is belived that Goddess serves food for Lord Nellaiappar everyday and hence the priests from the Kanthimathi Amman temple carry varieties of food to Lord Nellaiappar's temple during the uchi kala pujai. Every night Amman adorns a white saree during the Ardhajama poojai.

On the way back into the Nellaiappar Temple, we came across the Temple Elephant (Kanthimathi). Temple authorities have preserved her very carefully. The next halt was at the Arumuga Nayanar Temple.


Nellaiappar Temple Corridor
Arumuga Nayanar Sannidhi: 

Lord Muruga or Shanmugar, is seen seated on His peacock. The statue is carved out of a single rock. Three faces of Lord Muruga were seen from the front and the other three could be seen only from the back. Usually, Lord Muruga's vehicle (Vahana) Peacock would be an asura (Surapadman). However, here Lord Indra Himself has taken the form of a peacock to fight the battle against Surapadman. Lord Muruga is supposed to have visited Tirunelveli, before He takes on the Battle against Surapadman at Tiruchendur. The Rangoli painted before the Arumugan Sannidhi depicts "Sri Chakram".

Lord Nellaiappar: Before entering the main Sannidhi of Nellaiappar we took the blessings of "Pathala Lingam" also known as "Mahalinga Swamy" located below the ground level. People consider this as the first or Adhi Lingam. As the years passed by, the level of the Shivalinga had gone down resulting in a "Pathala Lingam". First aarathi to Lord Shiva is always showed to this Lingam. According to the archagar of this sannidhi, Saint Agashtiyar had created this lingam. Towards of the right of this Lingam is the massive and vivid Lord Nellaippar.  

Swamy Nellaippar
Standing in front of Lord Nellaiappar was so overwhelming and joyousness which cannot be expressed in words. Tears of Joy started pouring out! Om Nama Shivaya!

The Lingam is "Swayambu", not man made and has a cut from top right to the center. The statue of Goddess Parvati, is being imprinted at the center of the Lingam, which could be seen during Abhishegam.  

Nellai Govindar:   Adjacent to the main deity is the Sannidhi of Lord Vishnu in the reclining posture (Ananthasayanar), called the Nellai Govindan. Lord Vishnu is reclining on His serpent (Shesha) with a Shivalinga on His chest and Is seen performing Abhishegam with His right hand to a Shivalinga beside Him. This Sannidhi is considered to be the second Garbagraha. There is a urchavar statue of Lord Vishnu with a Kamandalam in His hand, ready to perform the marriage of His sister Ganthimathi Amman with Lord Nellaiappar. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had come down from Vaikundam to preside over His sister Goddess Kanthimathi's marriage with Lord Nellaiappar.

Musical Pillars
Mani Mandapam: There are huge musical pillars outside the Sannidhi of Lord Nellaiappar and the mandapam(hall) is called Mani Mandapam as there is a huge bell (Mani in Tamil) in that hall. There are many small stone pillars constructed in one huge single pillar. Each pillar produce different sound in different pitch and if struck by a wooden stick would sound like a jaladarangam. This pillar was constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran in the 7th Century AD. There is a similar smaller musical pillar before the Kanthimathi Amman sannidhi.

Lord Dakshinamoorthy: After having a darshan of Lord Nellaiappar, we performed pradakshinam (going around in circles along the corridors of the Temple) and came across Lord Dakshinamoorthy Sannidhi. Generally, there aren't separate sannidhi's for Lord Dakshinamoorthy. However, in this temple, there is not only a separate sanctum, but one can as well perform pradakshinam. The other prominent sannidhi's were Lord Brahma, Lord Mahishasura Mardini and others. We then entered the Thamira Sabai


Thamira Sabhai
Thamira Sabai: The copper Hall of Dance (Thamira Sabai) is made out of copper. There are basically five sabha's or Hall of Dance. Each hall is made of different material and Lord Shiva has performed dances in all these Halls. The Golden Hall (Porsabhai) is in Chidambaram (Thillai Natarajar Temple), where Lord Shiva has performed Ananda Thandavam, Ruby Hall (Ratna Sabai) is in Tiruvalangadu, where Lord Shiva has performedUrdhva Thandavam, Silver Hall (Velli Sabai) is in Madurai (Meenakshi Amman Temple), where Lord Shiva has performed 
Thamira Sabhai
Sundara Thandavam, Chitra Sabha ( Hall made out of paintings), is in Kutralam, where Lord Shiva has performed Asabha Thandavam and in this Copper Sabai (Thamira Sabha), Lord Shiva has performed Brahma Thandavam. 
The Copper Hall is an exemplary piece of art and is a treat to the eyes. Behind the Thamira Sabhai there are the Sannidhis of Sandana Sabhapati (Lord Nataraja adorned with sandalwood paste) and Periya Sabhapathi.  Lord Natarajar and Goddess Sivagami are worshiped here during the Arudra Darshanam celebrated in the Tamil Month of Margazhi (Dec 15th - Jan 15th).

Other Sannidhis:  The other prominent sannidhi's were Goddess Durga with Lion and Deer as Her Vehicle, Lord Mukkuruni Ganesha, similar to the one at Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai. However, He is holding modhak in His right hand and Thandham (Tusk) in His left hand, the order is generally the opposite in many temples. Goddess Tamirabarani has a separate Sannidhi here. Tamirabarani is a river, however in this temple She is worshiped as Goddess. Apart from these, 63 Nayanar Sannidhi, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Sanishwarar and Sahasra Lingam were notable. Overall darshan at this temple was overwhelming and soul filling. A memorable trip indeed!

Temple Timings: The Goddess Kanthimathi's Temple is between 6 am till 12: 30 pm in the morning and between 5:30 pm and 9 pm in the evening. Timings of Lord Nellaiappar, is 6:30 am to 12 noon in the mornings and in the evening between 6 pm and 8:30 pm.

Useful Tips:
  • It takes nearly two hours to visit both the temples at leisure.Please plan accordingly.
  • Visit the Kanthimathi Amman Temple, first and then Lord Nellaiappar.
  • On a Thai Ammavasai, temple will remain open till 1 am in the morning.

Ref : https://rslaks.blogspot.com/2014/12/lord-nellaiappar-and-goddess.html

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