Tirunelvennai Sri Vennaiyappar Temple, Villupuram

Address

Tirunelvennai Sri Vennaiyappar Temple, Tirunelvennai Koovadu Post, Via Eraiyur Ulumdurpettai Taluk Villupuram District PIN 607201

Diety

Sri Porkudam Koduthu Aruliya Nayanaar, Amman: Sri Neelamalarkkanni

Introduction

Vennaiyappar Temple is located at Tirunelvennai in Viluppuram District, tamil Nadu. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Vennaiyappar. Goddess Neelamalar kannammai is also worshipped here. The Sthala Teertham is Vennai teertham. The saints Appar and Sambandar have composed pathigams praising Vennaiyappar. The nearest station is at Ullundurpet, 7 km away. This is one of the ancient temples of the erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu.

Puranic Significance

Another legend associated with this temple is that of Saint Gnanasambanthar. During his pilgrimage, he reached this place late in the evening and was having trouble finding the temple. The lord sent Goddess Parvathi to guide Sambanthar to the temple. The place from where she called the child saint is called “Ethalavadi”. Overjoyed that the Goddess herself had come to take him to the temple, Sambanthar danced and sang the praise of Lord Shiva. A beautiful idol of Gnanasambanthar in dancing form can be seen here.

Special Features

There are stone inscriptions in this temple dating back to the period of the Chola King Kulothungan-I. The lord’s name is inscribed as “Sri Porkudam Kodutharulia Nayanar” meaning “the lord who gifted a pot full of gold”.