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| Musical stone pillars,Nellaiappar temple,Tamil Nadu,India.www.jovemac.in |
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| Nellaiappar temple.Thirunelveli,Tamil Nadu,India.skyscrapercity.com. S |
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| 7th century Nellaiappar temple,Tamil Nadu,India.pragaram (long corridor). travelwithguru. blogspot.com |
This
temple complex has two huge beautiful temples dedicated to
Nellaiappar (Shiva)
and
Kantimati (Parvathi)
connected
through the Sangili (Chain) Mandapam built by Thiru
Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan, devotee of Siva) in 1647. This hall has
several life sized stone sculptures on the pillars followed by pillars
which produce musical notes when struck.
In the
1000 pillar mandapam inside the Kantimati's
temple, celestial wedding of Kanthimathi Amman (Parvati) with Nellaiappar (Lord Shiva) takes place with great fanfare every year during the festival.
This
temple,
steeped in history, tradition and
sculptural wonders,
is
especially famous for musical
pillars
in
the Manimandapam near the Nandi mandapam.
There are two
giant
stone (granite) pillars carved out of a single stone. Each of these has 48 small sub
pillars which produce musical different notes when struck. They were built
by Nindrasir
Nedumaran or Koon Pandyan of Pandya dynasty in 7th century. These musical pillars were made with care and dexterity and,it is believed, the skilled artesians would have used special hardened steel chisels for this kind of delicate works on granite stones. The
temple towers (gopurams) were built by king Muluthukanda Rama
Pandiyan.
It's the largest temple complex south of Madurai city. Lots of people visit this temple complex which is located in the middle of the city. One needs several hours to go to different parts of this temple to look at the details of various fascinating stone sculptural features. It is a unique place for building and temple architects.
It's the largest temple complex south of Madurai city. Lots of people visit this temple complex which is located in the middle of the city. One needs several hours to go to different parts of this temple to look at the details of various fascinating stone sculptural features. It is a unique place for building and temple architects.
Ref:
Sthala Varalaru book published in 2004 by temple administration.
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