The temple of Sankaranarayana is situated on 4.5 acre site in the heart of the Sankarankovil Town. It is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas in the South Pandiya country. With an imposing Rajagopuram, rising to a height of 135 feet with nine tiers, this temple is surrounded by high walls and the tower has many beautiful images.

Lord Sri Sankaranarayana is the main deity in this temple. The right portion of the idol has sandal and indicates Lord Siva, with cobra around his neck & moon above his head. The left side of the idol indicates Lord Vishnu having Sankhu in his hand. The Sankaralingam enshrined in the temple was found during the unearthed from a ‘puttru'(Ant Hill) and was consecrated as Sri Sankaralinga Swamy in the temple. During March and September months, the rays of Sun fall on Sankaralingam for three days from 21st of the respective months. The goddess of the temple is Arulmigu Gomathi Amman. Goddess Gomathi is said to have worshipped the Lord at this place. The temple also has a separate shrine for Lord Sarpa Vinayaka.

The ant-hill sand is offered as Prasad, people believe that is capable of curing all the diseases. Devotees facing problems due to the presence of poisonous creatures in their houses as lizards, scorpions and snakes offer silver pieces embossed with the images of such creatures for solution.

Aadi Thapasu in July-August, 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Panguni-Chithirai in April, Aipasi wedding festival in October-November and Thai float festival in January- February are the popular festivals celebrated in the temple.

DETAILS

Timings: 6 AM – 11 AM & 4 PM – 8 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli Railway Station): 4 Kms

Trip Duration (From Varadaraja Perumal Temple , Including Travel): 1 Hour

At a distance of 4 km from Tirunelveli Railway Station, Nellaiappar Temple is a popular Hindu Temple situated on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Tirunelveli. This is one of the largest temples in Tamil Nadu and also one of the best places to visit in Tirunelveli.

Sri Nellaiappar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the history, both the gopurams were built by Pandiyas and the sanctums of the temple were constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran who ruled in the 7th century CE. This is one of the Pancha Sabha temples (Copper) that are revered as the five Cosmic Dance halls of Lord Shiva. The other four are Chidambaram with gold, Madurai with silver, Tiruvalankadu with ruby and Kutralam with images.

Nellaiappar Temple is spread over an area of 14 acres and is one of the biggest temples in Pandiya Naadu. The temple complex consists of two temples, one for Lord Shiva and the other one for Kanthimathi Amman. Lord Shiva is named as Nellaiappar in this temple. Chain Mandapam built in 1647 by Vadamalaiyappa Pillayan connects the Kanthimathi Amman and Nellaiappar temples.

The unique feature of the temple is the ‘Mani Mandapam’ located near the Nandi Mandapam with two giant pillars carved out of a single stone and each one is having 48 sub pillars which produce musical notes when struck. The 96-pillared Unjal Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Artha Mandapam are fine specimens of intricate workmanship. There is a 1000 Pillared Hall which is famous for the celestial wedding of Kanthimathi Amman with Nellaiappar.

There are several sacred Theerthams within the temple surroundings. The beautiful Golden Lotus Tank, where Lord Shiva is said to have appeared in the water and Brahma as lotus, attracts the visitors’ attention.

The Annual Car Festival is the most famous festival in this temple. Also known an ‘Aani festival’, it falls during the month of June-July and is celebrated for 10 days with great pomp and fervor. Navaratri festival, Tirukkalyanam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) and Arudra Darshanam are the other main festivals celebrated here.

DETAILS

Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM & 4 PM – 9 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli Railway Station): 4 Kms

Trip Duration (From Tirunelveli Railway Station, Including Travel): 1-2 Hours