Nellaiappar Temple – Kanthimathi Shrine
The entrance of Kanthimathi Amman Temple is adorned with
a beautiful Raja Gopuram (tower). The tower was built in the year of 1626 AD.
You can also find two small shrines of Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga on either
side of the tower entrance. Once you enter the temple, you can find "Unjal
Mandapam", a hall where the religious discourses happen.
On the left side of the hall, there is open space and to
its right side, there is temple tank. The tank is very popular in Tirunelveli
and it is named as 'Pottramarai'. It is believed that Lord Shiva is in the form
of water and Lord Brahma came here with golden flower (Pottramarai).
Towards the main shrine of Kanthimathi, there is
flagstaff (Kodi maram) and Nandi idol. On the left side, there is Aayiram Kal
Mandapam aka thousand pillared hall. However, there are not thousand pillars in
this hall. After passing through the flagstaff and moving towards the main
shrine, you can find another small mandapa. The main shrine has Goddess
Kanthimathi, the consort of Lord Nellaiappar (Shiva). She is in standing
posture with two hands carrying lotus and parrot on her left hand.
On the entrance of her shrine, there are idols of Ganga
and Yamuna. The corridor (prakara) surrounding the Kanthimathi shrine has the
small shrines for Lord Ganesha, Muruga, Chandikeswara, and Shanmuga (Arumuga
Nayinaar) in Utsav form. There is another big corridor surrounding Kanthimathi
shrine.
The big corridor has another tank named 'Karu Mari'
tank. The legend is that the saint Durvasa cursed a king named Indiraththuiman
to become elephant. The elephant took bath in this tank to get rid of the curse
and became human being again. There is a small shrine for Lord Ganesha near the
tank.