Tirunelveli is a very good place to make spiritual visits. There are numerous temples in the place dedicated to various gods. Temple is a place where people who have very strong belief on the gods visit. When people visit this place, their spiritual awareness improves, and they make sure all their prayers are shared with god. The sculptures and statues in each temple will be very different and unique. Temples also act as very good tourist spot for many people as it has many interesting features in it. In fact, all the temples will have a back story and speciality that will impress most of the people who visit the spot. Even there will be some changes in making the offering to the god in some places, and it will make the temples even more different. Here are some interesting facts about various temples that are present in and around Tirunelveli.
Saiva Temples
Amongst the countless temples in Tamil Nadu, many of them are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Of these, some of the most revered Saiva temples are located across the length and breadth of the Tirunelveli district. The vibrant landscape is dotted with multitudes of big and small Saiva temples dating back hundreds of years. They are:
- Vasudevanallur Sinthamaninatha Swamy Temple
- Gangaikondan Kailasanathar Temple
- Melaveeraragavapuram Chokkalingaswamy Temple
- Tirunelveli Junction Palayanchalaikumar Swamy Temple
- Maranthai Kailasanathar Temple
- Keezakallur Puravelinatha Temple
- Serndhapoomangalam Kailasanathar Temple
- Rajapati Kailasanathar Temple
- Thenthiruperai Kailasanathar Temple
- Thiruvaikundam Kailasanathar Temple
- Murappanadu Kailasanathar Temple
- Kunnathur Kotha Parameswaran Temple
- Cheranmahadevi Ammanathar Swamy Temple
- Kodaganallur Kailasanathar Thirukovil
- Brahmadesam(Ambasamudram) Kailasanathar Kovil
Nellaiappar Gandhimathi Amman Temple - The Famous Nellaiappar Temple
First temple that is going to be discussed is the Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple which is situated at the centre of the city. Due to its easy accessibility, this is considered one of the best tourist spots in the area. In fact, this is said to be a twin temple where Lord Shiva and Parvathi reside.
The Nellaippar Gandhimathi Amman Temple is the pulsating heart of Tirunelveli and the home of Lord Nellaiappar and his consort Gandimathi Amman. The majestic temple is a popular landmark that attracts devotees from far and wide.
There are numerous attractive features in this temple, and some of them include musical pillars, golden lily tank, thousand pillar hall and so on. The car festival of this temple is very popular, and mostly it will be a district holiday on the particular day.
Uvari Arulmigu Sri Suyambulinga Swami Temple:
Arulmigu Sri Suyambulinga Swami Temple is visited by many people mainly then ones who go to the Tiruchendur or Kanyakumari as it lies on the route. This temple is situated on the shore of the famous Bay of Bengal. To be exact, it is 72 km from Tirunelveli, 40 km from Kanyakumari and 43 km away from Tiruchendur. Anthony Uvari and Nadar Uvari are the names of the twin cities that are near the temple. Suyambulingaswamy, a form of Lord Shiva, is the main deity in this temple. This place will be crowded very much on the weekends and holidays.
Thiru Kutralanathar Temple
Next comes the Arulmigu Courtrallanathar Temple, which is very famous and situated near the popular Courtallam falls. Also known as Kutraleeswarar temple, this holy abode is one of Lord Shiva's two hundred and seventy-five Thevara Thirusthalas. Lord Shiva is the temple’s main deity presiding in the name of Lord Kutralanathar.
This temple has numerous Pandya and Chola inscriptions on it. Chitra Sabha is a spot that is only a half kilometer away from the temple, and it has numerous paintings that are dedicated to the Lord Nataraja. There are many representations of rural gods and their devotees in the paintings. And this Saba is considered to be one of the famous five Sabas that is known to be the spot where Lord Nataraja performed the cosmic dance.
Nava Kailasam Temples
Nava Kailasam literally translates to “nine Kailasams” or Lord Shiva’s nine holy abodes. The name denotes the nine different temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. An interesting mythological story explains how these nine temples came into existence.
According to legend, Sage Agasthiyar instructed Uromasa Maharishi to float nine flowers on the Thamirabarani River and build Shiva temples wherever the flowers landed. Uromasa Maharishi did as he was told and built the temples.
Once the temples were constructed, Uromasa Maharishi worshipped Lord Shiva at each of these nine temples, and took a dip in the holy waters of Sangam Theertham. At that moment, he was blessed with the divine vision of Lord Shiva and attained liberation from this earthly incarnation.
These nine temples of Lord Shiva are known as Nava Kailasam temples. While hundreds of Saivaites visit the temple year round, devotees throng the holy places on auspicious Mondays that occur in the Tamizh month of Karthigai (Somavaaram), full moon days, new moon days, Pradosham and Shivaratri days.
Following is the list of Nava Kailasam Temples.
First Kailasam or place of First Flower - Papanasam Pavanasar Temple (Suriyan Temple)
Second Kailasam (2nd Flower)- Cheranmahadevi Sri Ammainathar temple (Chandran Temple)
Third Kailasam (3rd Flower) - Kodakanallur Sri Kailasanathar temple - kodaganallur (chevvay temple)
Fourth Kailasam (4th Flower) – Kunnathur Sri Gotha Parameswarar Temple (Ragu temple)
Fifth Kailasam (5th Flower) - Murappanadu Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Murappanadu (Guru)
Sixth Kailasam (6th Flower) – Sri Vaikundam Sri Kailasanathar Temple (Sani Sthalam)
Seventh Kailasam (7th Flower) - Then Thiruperai Sri Kailasanathar Temple (Puthan Sthalam)
Eighth Kailasam (8th Flower) - Rajapati Soundaranayaki Samedha Kailasanadhar Temple ( Kethu Sthalam)
Ninth Kailasam (9th Flower)– Sherthaboomangalam Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Sernthamangalam (Sukran Temple)
Vaishnava Temples
As the preserver, Lord Vishnu forms the Trimurti of the universe with Lord Brahma, the creator, and Lord Shiva, the destroyer. Since time immemorial, millions of people have ardently worshipped Lord Vishnu, their devotion evident through the towering and opulent temples dedicated to him across the nation.
Lord Vishnu, the preserver, is also revered as the God of Light and Enlightenment. His devotees, or Vaishnavaites, believe that Lord Vishnu assumed various “avatars” to live among us mortals. Some of the most well-known avatars of Lord Vishnu are Lord Krishna and Lord Rama.
South India is dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu, who is responsible for protecting the earth and all humanity. Tirunelveli district and its surroundings are home to some popular Vaishnavite temples such as:
- Nava Thirupati Temples or Nine Tirupati temples in nine different locations.
- Karisalundamangalam Venkatachalapathy Temple
- Sri Kariyamanikka Perumal Temple in Tirunelveli City
- Krishnapuram Vishnu Temple
- Vittalapuram Pandurangan temple
- Arulmigu Vedanarayanan Alagiyamannar Shri Rajagopalaswamy Temple
Krishnapuram Vishnu Temple
Located near Tirunelveli, Krishnapuram is a spiritual tourist destination and home to a Vishnu temple which is the holy residence of Lord Thiruvenkanathar.
Built in the 16th century by the Nayak and Vijayanagar kings, the temple boasts Dravidian-style architecture with intricate carvings and sculptures. This dream destination for temple art lovers is created in Monolithic, sporting a majestic 5-tiered Gopuram and granite walls enclosing its shrines. The Argamanamandapam and Thirumanamandapam of the temple are worth a visit.
Nava Thirupathi Temples
Located across various places across the Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts, the Nava Thirupathi temples denote the nine Vaishnava temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The unique thing about these nine temples is that they are all located on different banks of the Thamirabarani river. Devotees and tourists visiting Tirunelveli make it a point to visit all nine temples because they are easily accessible.
Listed below are the Nava Thirupathi temples:
Navathirupathi - 1: Thiruvaikundam
Navathirupathi - 2: Thiruvaragunamangai Perumal Temple
Navathirupathi - 3: Thirukolur
Navathirupathi -4 : Thirupulingudi
Navathirupathi - 5: Alwarthirunagari
Navathirupathi - 6: Thenthiruperai
Navathirupathi - 7: Thirukulanthai
Navathirupathi - 8: Thirutholaivillimangalam (Irattai Thirupathi) Therku Kovil or South temple
Navathirupathi - 9: Thirutholaivillimangalam (Irattai Thirupathi) Vadakku Kovil or North temple
Vittalapuram Pandurangan Temple
The Vittalapuram Pandurangan temple, located about 18 kms west of Nellai, was built by Vittaladevan, a minister at King Vijayadevaraya’s court. Legend says that Vittaladevan built the temple after unearthing an idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Pandurangan. The temple is also known as the “Pandaripuram of the South.” It is said that people who cannot go to Pandaripuram in the north can come and worship here. The temple’s prime deity Panduranga Vittaleshwarar resides here with his consorts, Sathyabama and Rukmani.
Read More: Interesting Places That Cannot Be Missed In Tirunelveli
Other Popular Temples
Tirunelveli is abundantly blessed with big and small temples dotting its verdant landscape. There are numerous holy places to explore if you want spiritual fulfilment. Some of them are:
Ambalavanapuram Ulakkarisi Pillaiyar Kovil
This Uzakarisi Pillaiyar is the Pillaiyar whom Agathiyar consecrated and worshipped. Over time, the whereabouts of this deity went unnoticed. Fortunately, during British rule in the 18th century, Uzhakarisi Pillaiyar re-emerged. Legend has it that when an Englishman came to hunt in this region, his horse tripped on the statue of Ulakarisi Pillayar.
The British officer ordered that one measure of rice should be offered as a subsidy every day to the Lord. Hence it is said that this Pillaiyar got the name "Uzhakarisi Pillaiyar", the term “Ulakku”, meaning a measure and “Arisi”, meaning uncooked rice.
Kurukkuthurai Temple:
Kurukkuthurai is the temple that is situated at the bank of the Tamirabarani River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. Thiruvuruvamalaiis the name of the rock from which this temple is carved out. It is also believed that the same rock was used in order to carve the statue of Lord Murugan belonging to Tiruchendur temple in the year 1653. Click here to read about Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, Kurukkuthurai in Tamil.
Sastha Temples
For most towns and villages along the banks of the Tamirabarani, the deity Shasta has special status. According to legends, Sastha is the son of Hariharan. In most Sastha temples, the presiding deity is flanked by his wives, Puranai and Pushkalai. He is also known by different names in local areas.
Devotees here believe that Sastha brings the seasonal rains, which is why most of the temples dedicated to him are situated near water bodies, on a high hill on the banks of canals, and sometimes on the outskirts of a town.
Some Shasta temples may also have a shrine dedicated to his son Chellapillai. Shasta's entourage will also be present in most temples. Prominent among them is Sangili Boothar, the temple's chief guardian lord. A magnificent image of Sangili Boothar stands guard outside many Sastha temples.
Families who worship Sastha as their family deity usually call themselves "slaves" of the Lord. Due to the special status and respect shown to Lord Sastha, the Panguni Uttara Sastha Preethis are also very popular in the western regions.
The following are some of the popular Sastha Temples in Tirunelveli.
- Pappankulam Sadayudaiyar Sastha Temple
- Thiruvaikundam Mayilerum Perumal Sastha Temple.
- Angamangalam Narasimha Sastha Temple
- Iruvappapuram Perumpada Sastha Temple
- Gopalasamutram Pasungili Sastha Temple
- Nadukavudayar Sastha Kovil, Palayamkottai
- Sundarapandia Sastha Temple at Karadanganallur
- Marukaalthalai Pooludaiyaar Sastha temple
- Malayankulam Padagalinga Sastha Temple
