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Nellaiappar-Kanthimathi Ambal Temple

Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
Lord Shiva
More in Tamil Nadu

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Shiva

Pincode

627001

The principal temple of Tirunelveli city, dedicated to Lord Nellaiappar (Shiva as lord of the paddy field) and Goddess Kanthimathi Ambal. Famous for its exceptional golden lily tank (porthamarai kulam) and a musical pillar hall where 48 of the 161 pillars emit musical tones. One of the finest Pandya-era temples in Tamil Nadu.

History & Significance

History

The Nellaiappar temple dates to the Pandya period with significant Chola-era additions. The temple corridor is over 820 metres long. The musical pillar hall is one of only three such halls in Tamil Nadu (the others at Meenakshi Madurai and Suchindram). The Sangavithana Mandapam (musical pillar hall) was built by the Madurai Nayaks.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

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Photo: Wikipedia article "Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur" — CC-licensed via Wikimedia Commons

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