Sri Kanthimathi Nellayappar Temple is located within Tirunelveli City in a sprawling area of around 14.5 acres and is built on the banks of River Thamirabarani. 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 SanctumSanctorum 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. 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 Nellaiappar Temple gets so much importance due to the Nataraja Narthanam of Shiva here. In addition each Pillar of this Temple sends out a new and different Musical Note and this mystery is still unsolved.  In the beginning the Temple was divided into two halves. The first half was Nellaiappar Temple and the second half was Ganthimathi Temple. It was Sri Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan who later linked the two halves and made it as one big Temple.  In 1756 a huge flower garden was set up along with a Vasantha Mandapam. The celestial wedding of Kanthimathi Ambal along with Sri Nellaiappar is believed to have taken place in the 1000 pillared hall of this Temple. The Deity of Maha Vishnu is also worshipped here since it is believed that He had Graced the wedding of Kanthimathi and 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 Nellaiappar Idol and Kanthimathi alias Sivagami are mounted on the Golden Temple Car and taken round the Temple premises.

Contact Details: 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 to Thirunelveli is 298 Kms

Distance from Sivasailam to Thirunelveli is 62 Kms

Distance from Thoothukudi to Thirunelveli is 45 Kms

Distance from Thiruchendur to Thirunelveli is 52 Kms

Distance from Nagerkoil to Thirunelveli is 82 Kms

Distance from Suchindram 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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