Sri Kanthimathi Nellaiyappar Temple is located within Tirunelveli City in a sprawling area of around 14.5 acres and is built on the banks of River Thamirabarani. Sri Nellaiappar Temple has two Rajagopurams in all. The first Rajagopuram is much wider and is East facing with three tiers. Likewise the Shrine of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal too has a separate Rajagopuram and this is made up of five tiers and East facing. As Devotees enter the Temple premises they may be amazed to see intricate wooden caring hanging from the ceiling which goes on to show the master skills of the craftsmen who existed during those time. There is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Nanadhi Vaahanam which looks quite big and is West facing looking towards the Moolasthanam. Devotees amy have to circumambulate and enter the Moolasthana Mandapam through the Southern entrance. Here too, Devotees might be thrilled to see the amount of work done on the intricate carving in the multiple pillars. These pillars bring out various notes and sounds each time they are tapped. Hence they are known as Musical Pillars which is another Hallmark of this Temple. How this was done in those days is still a mystery for us.

At the threshold of the Moolasthanam are two black Dwara Baalaka Idols, one each on either side of the entrance. There is a small East facing Idol of Sri Ganapathy next to the left Dwara Baalaka Idol. To the right of the other Dwara Baalaka Idol is an Idol of Sri Subramaniyar. There is yet another smaller Nandhi Vaahanam here which looks towards the Moolasthanam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Nellaiappar is East facing and in the form of a Shiva Lingam. When seen along with the Naagabharanam in the backdrop of the naturally lit oil lamp He looks resplendent to the eyes of the Devotees. It is considered that He is Omnipotent and would grant any boon to the Devotees who come and Pray to Him. It is noteworthy to mention here that within the same Sanctum Sanctorum there is an Idol of Sri Govindaraja Perumal who is seen beneath a hooded Adhiseshan. Sri Govindaraja Perumal is seen South facing and in a recling posture or Sayana Kolam. It is construed that Sri Govindaraja Perumal had come to Bhoologam to oversee the Wedding of Sri Nellaiappar with Sri Ganthimathi Ambal. The Koshtam of the Moolavar Sannadhi has a South facing Idol of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy and Sri Chandikeshwarar. There are other Sub Shrines of the Pancha Lingams, Sri Kanni Moola Ganapathy. The Sub Shrine of Sri Kannimoola Ganapathy comprises of three Idols of Sri Ganapathy. There is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar who is seen along with His Consorts Valli and Devasena. 

The Ambal's Shrine now was known before as a separate Temple but now it is called as the Shrine of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal. Her Shrine too is East facing and has a five tiered Rajagopuram. There is a small four pillared Mandapam in which Divine Fuctions could be conducted with ease. Then there is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or a Kodi Maram and a West facing Nandhi Vaahanam looking towards the Shrine of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal. The multi pillared Mandapam of Her Shrine looks amazing. Sri Kanthimathi Ambal is seen East facing and in a standing posture in Her Moolasthanam. There is a South facing Idol of Sri Chandikeshwari. There is a corridor leading from the Shrine of Sri Nellaiappar to the Shrine of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal. Close to this is the Temple's Tank or Pushkarani known as Potraamarai Theertham or Swarna Pushkarani, Kari Urumaari Theertham, Veli Theppakulam or Chandra Pushkarani and Sinthupoonthurai Theertham. There is also a North facing Sub Shrine of Sri Manjamaatha and a West facing Sub Shrine of Sri Ayyappa Swamy.

The initial construction of Sri Nellaiappar Temple was started in a big way by the early Pandya Kings and later the Cholas, Cheras, Pallavas and the Nayaks also helped in developing the Temple to this level. The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple and few Rajagopurams were built by the Pandya King Nindraseer Nedumaran who has also called as Koon Pandian. The outer wall of this Temple was however built by the later Pandya King Kulasekara Pandian. The Nandhi Mandapam was the latest addition in 1654 which was said to be built by Sivanthiappa Nayakar. God Shiva is believed to have performed the Cosmic Dance here and hence the Temple is called as Thamira Sabhai or Copper Hall. Thirunelveli City derives much of its fame due to the Nellaiappar Temple and in turn Sri Nellaiappar Temple gets so much importance due to the Nataraja Narthanam of God Shiva here. In the beginning the Temple was divided into two halves. In ancient days the first half of the Temple was known as Sri Nellaiappar Temple and the second half of the Temple belonged to Goddess Kanthimathi and hence it was called as Sri Kanthimathi Temple. Then it was Sri Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan who during his time joined these two Temples and made them appear as one big single Temple. Its full name then came to be known as Sri Kanthimathi Samedha Sri Nellaiappar Temple. In 1756 a huge flower garden was set up along with a Vasantha Mandapam. The celestial wedding of Sri Kanthimathi Ambal along with Sri Nellaiappar is believed to have taken place in the 1000 pillared hall of this Temple. The Deity of Sri Maha Vishnu is also worshipped here since it is believed that He had Graced the wedding of Sri Kanthimathi and Sri Nellaiappar. Therefore this Temple is regarded as an Abimaana Kshetram of Vaishnavism. The Temple inscriptions of this Temple are so important and are said to be much superior then even the inscriptions of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Several Tamil Poets and Saints have sung in Praise of this Temple. This Temple can boast of having the 3rd largest Chariot or Temple Car in Tamil Nadu and this is the reason why the Car festival of this Temple attracts so many lakhs of Devotees from across Tamil Nadu and India.  Arudhra Dharisanam the traditional Brahmmothsavam, Navarathri and Thai Poosam are celebrated in style. During such festive occasion the Urchavar of Sri Nellaiappar Idol and Sri Kanthimathi alias Sri Sivagami are mounted on the Golden Temple Car and taken round the Temple premises. It is a delights for the Childrens too to visit this Temple since there is a Temple Elephant available here to keep the kids busy and to engage itself in all the important Rituals daily. Pradosham, Chitthirai Brahmmothsavam, Thiruvadhirai, Aippasi Annabhishekam are some of the festivals that are celebrated with great fanfare.

Contact Details: 99943 42928, 0462 2339910 and 89733 30707

Temple Timing: 5.30 AM to12.30 PM and 4 PM to 08.30 PM

Distance from Tenkasi to Thirunelveli is 59 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Thirunelveli is 161 Kms

Distance from Trichy or Tiruchirappalli to Thirunelveli is 298 Kms

Distance from Sivasailam to Thirunelveli is 62 Kms

Distance from Thoothukudi or Tuticorin to Thirunelveli is 45 Kms

Distance from Thiruchendur to Thirunelveli is 52 Kms

Distance from Nagerkoil to Thirunelveli is 82 Kms

Distance from Suchindram or Sucheendram to Thirunelveli is 82 Kms

Distance from Thiruvananthapuram to Thirunelveli is 154 Kms

Distance from Kollam to Thirunelveli is 160 Kms

Distance from Kanyakumari to Thirunelveli is 85 Kms

Distance from Courtallam to Thirunelveli is 64 Kms

Distance from Sivakasi to Thirunelveli is 100 Kms

Distance from Kovilpatti to Thirunelveli is 60 Kms

Distance from Kadayam to Thirunelveli is 54 Kms

Distance from Ambasamudhram to Thirunelveli is 45 Kms

Distance from Veeravanallur to Thirunelveli is 37 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Thirunelveli is 623 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Thirunelveli R.S.

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