Shiva temple of 7th century,Thirunelveli,Tamil Nadu,India - famous temples

Musical stone pillars,Nellaiappar temple,Tamil Nadu,India.www.jovemac.in

Nellaiappar temple.Thirunelveli,Tamil Nadu,India.skyscrapercity.com. S
This Shiva temple made of hard rocks such as granites of different varieties with sprawling mandapams (halls) covering 14 acres of land is one of the most beautiful temples in India and is one of the 5 Pancha Sabhas of Nataraja. It houses Tamra Sabha (the copper hall) - replete with exquisite woodwork in teak wood , where Nataraja is worshiped during Arudra Darisanam. This shrine is regarded as the 14th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamil Nadu.
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.  


Ref:

Sthala Varalaru book published in 2004 by temple administration.