Chepparai Natarajar Temple, Thirunelveli
Chepparai
Natarajar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Rajavallipuram near
Thirunelveli Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. It is also called as Azhagiya
Kootthar and Sivagami Ambal Temple. It is situated on the banks of Tamirabarani
River. Locals also refer to it as Chepparai. It is one of Pancha Natarajar Sthalams. The
sthapathy who created the Chidambaram Nataraja moorthy is said to have created
five Moorthies. Apart from Chidambaram, the other four moorthies are present in
the following temples around Thirunelveli: Kari Soozhntha Mangalam, Kattarimangalam,
Mela Karuvelankulam and Chepparai.
This
temple is just 1000-2000 years old in this region. The Temple is located at
about 14 Kms from Thirunelveli. The Temple is very famous for Arudra Dharshan.
It has the equal history of Chidambaram. That is why this place is also called
as “South Chidambaram” or “South Thillai”. It is unbelievable that, the first
Copper Statue which has been prepared for Chidambaram Temple is in “Chepparai”
Temple only. The idol in the temple is considered the first Nataraja
statue of the world.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
The
primary deity of this temple is Nellaiyappar (Lord Shiva) and his consort is
Gandhimadhi. The festive deity is Natarajar. The holy tree of this temple is
Vilwa. The holy water of this temple is nearby stream water. The Agamam or
pooja of this temple is called as Kameekam. The idol in the temple is
considered the first Nataraja statue of the world. It is said that four
Nataraja idols were designed closely similar to that of the idol in
Chidambaram. These are in Chepparai, Karisuzhunthamanagalam and Karuvelankulam
in Thirunelveli district and Kattarimangalam in Tuticorin district. Kumbabishekam
was conducted on January 2007.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Aani
Therottam, Margazhi Thiruvadirai and Maha Shivaratri in February-March are
grandly celebrated in the temple. Arudhra Darshan is observed in the Tamil
month of Margazhi (December – January) on Thiruvathirai Nakshatram. It is
essentially a Saivite festival and celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva,
which is represented by the Nataraja form. Arudhra signifies the golden red
flame and Shiva performs in the form this red-flamed light.
Prayers
Devotees
pray for child boon, excellence in academic pursuits and for removal of
obstacles in marriage alliances. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother
with vastras.
Contact
Sri Nellaiyappar
(Chepparai Natarajar) Temple,
Chepparai,
Thirunelveli District
Phone: +91 – 4622 – 339 910
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 14 Kms from Thirunelveli, 160 Kms from Madurai and
165 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli
and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
