Vennaiyappar Temple, Tirunelvennai
Location: Tirunelvennai
Deity known as: Vennaiyappar, Swarnakateswarar
Female Deity: Neelamalarkanni
Pathikam: Sambandar - 1
Gallery - Vennaiyappar Temple
How to Reach
Route 1: The temple is located on the Tirukkovilur – Ulundurpettai road via Eraiyur and Elavaanasur. From Eraiyur, travel about 4 km through Vadakurumbur to reach Tirunelvennai. Regular bus services are available from Tirukkovilur to Eraiyur, and from there, autorickshaws can be hired to reach the temple.
Route 2: Alternatively, one can take the Ulundurpet – Villupuram road and turn left after a short distance to reach Tirunelvennai.
Temple Address
Arulmighu Vennaiyappar TempleTirunelvennai
Koovadu Post, Via Eraiyur
Ulundurpettai Taluk
Villupuram District
PIN 607201
Temple Layout and Architecture
Temple Layout
The temple is enclosed by compound walls on all sides, with a single entrance providing access to the complex. Upon entering, one can see the Balipeetam, Nandi, and the sanctum housing the main deity — all aligned along the same axis. Just outside the sanctum of the Moolavar, Mahavishnu appears holding a conch and the Sudarshana Chakra, accompanied by Goddess Mahalakshmi. The inner gateway, guarded by Dwarapalakas, leads to the shrine of the presiding deity, Swarnakateshwarar.
The Presiding Deity
The presiding deity Swarnakateshwarar is worshipped here as a Swayambhu Linga and is enshrined under a canopy made of Rudraksha beads. It is said that during Mahashivratri, which falls in the Tamil month of Masi, the sun’s rays fall directly upon the deity. The Sanakadi Rishis, a group of revered sages, are believed to have worshipped the deity at Tirunelvennai.
Other Deities and Sannidhis
In the outer prakaram, there are sannidhis for Vinayaka and Muruga, who is seen mounted on a peacock with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Behind Muruga’s shrine are those for Kasi Viswanathar and the Spatika Lingam. The sannidhi of the Goddess Neelamalar Kanni is located nearby in a separate temple facing east.
Facing the shrine of the Goddess is a sannidhi dedicated to the four Nayanmars — Tirugnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, and Manikkavasakar. Here, Gnanasambandar and Appar are shown with folded hands in prayer, while Sundarar is depicted in a dancing posture.
Temple Significance and History
The Name - Swarnakateshwarar
The inscriptions discovered within the temple make reference to the main deity as 'the one who bestowed the golden pot', a phrase that can be translated to 'Swarnakateshwarar' in Sanskrit.
Sambandar's Pathikam
The pathikam composed by Thirugnana Sambandar on this deity is in the third Tirumurai, where he describes Tirunelvennai as ancient and famous and a place abundant in water resources.
More Gallery
