Nellaiappar Temple – Thaamira Ambalam
Thirunelveli also is one of the five places where Lord Shiva is
said to have displayed his dance and all these places have stages/ ambalams.
While Tirunelveli has the Thaamirai (Copper) Ambalam, the others are the
Rathina Ambalam at Thiruvalangadu (Rathinam – ruby / red), the Chitra Ambalam
at Courtallam (chitra – painting), the Velli Ambalam at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple (velli – silver) and the Pon (Gold) Ambalam
at Thillai Nataraja Temple,
Chidambaram.
The Copper Hall of Dance is a brilliant work of art, and
is housed within the inner precincts of the temple. On the occasion of Arudra Dharisanam
(occurring in the Tamil month of Margazhi - Dec 15 - Jan 15), the images of
Nataraja and Sivakami are housed here, and elaborate worship protocols are
observed during the enactment of the Cosmic Dance of Shiva. A shrine to Sandana
Sabapathi (adorned with sandal paste) is located right behind the Tamra Sabha
and to a visitor walking towards the Tamra Sabha, the combination of these,
i.e. the vision of Sandana Sabapathi seen through the Tamra Sabha presents a brilliant
spectacle. There is yet another shrine to Nataraja here, the Periya Sabapathi
shrine. Religious services are carried out here on special occasions, and this
festival idol is never moved from this shrine.
The Thaamira Sabha or Copper Hall of Dance within the
inner precincts of Nellaiappar Temple, with its intricate wood work provides a
window into the craftsmanship and talent of the artisans of the time.