Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple Tirunelveli

Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple was constructed more than 1000 years ago. Musical stone is an interesting aspect of this temple. We can hear a musical sound from stone. There is no clue how our ancients made this.

Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple Timing

Morning : 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening : 4:00 PM to 09.00 PM

Nellaiappar Temple Festivals

Arudra Darisanam
brahmotsavam
Thiru kalyanam
Navaratri
ThaiPoosam
Pradosham Pooja
Masi Magam
Thiruvathira
Chitra Pournami

How To reach

Near by Airport : Tuticorin Airport. Around 42 Kilometers from Tuticorin Airport to Nellaiappar temple
Nearby Railway Station : Tirunelveli Junction railway station. Around 5 Kilometers from Tirunelveli Junction railway station to Nellaiappar temple.
Bus : There are several ways to reach Nellaiappar temple.

Nellaiappar Temple is famous as one of the largest Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. It is a twin temple dedicated to Parvati and Shiva. Shiva is worshipped as Nellaiappar (also called Venuvananathar) represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Kanthimathi Amman.

This is a temple where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. Lord Vishnu occupies the adjacent chamber of Lord Shiva. Legend says that Lord Vishnu got His sister Durga married to Lord Shiva in this place. Her name here is Gandhimathi. After the wedding, Lord Vishnu was reluctant to leave His sister and depart. So Lord Shiva allowed Him to stay on. This temple is more than 1000 years old. Vishnu is believed to have witnessed the marriage between Shiva and Parvathi at this place. There is an image of Vishnu with a metallic Gindi, a vessel with a spout, in the temple depicting the legend. Music Pillers are present in front of Shiva & Parvathi temples as a special attraction.

The temple has three six rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and six yearly festivals on its calendar. Brahmotsavam festival during the Tamil month of Aani (June–July) is the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple.

Morning visit will be very good from 5 AM to 8 AM because of a calm, peaceful experience with no crowd. It would take two hours to roam and explore this beautiful historic shrine. Musical pillars are great. You need at least half a day to enjoy all the architecture.

The original complex is believed to have been built by Pandyas, while the present masonry structure was added by Cholas, Pallavas, Cheras, Nayaks(Madurai Nayaks). In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The temple dedicated to Lord Siva and his consort Goddess Parvati depicted as Kanthimathi Amman. This temple is one among the ” Padal Petra Sthalam” located in the northern bank of river Thamirabarani. The very famous musical pillars were built by Pandiyas during the 7th century. The two temples were independent initially and it was linked together with ” Chain mandapam” by their Vadamalaiyappa Pillai, the great devotee of Siva during 1647. The outer walls were built up by Kulasekara Pandiyan by defeating the Chera, Chola and Hoysala Kings.

Tirunelveli, wonderful place with wonderful atmosphere, highly enthusiastic people was able to feel the get so many positive vibes amazing temple and massively build one wondering how such great architecture could have been possible during an era where there was no technology and sophisticated machinery and tools like now