The
Brahmin became much distressed and prayed for help to the Lord who
took pity on him and protected the paddy from the rain by covering it and standing around
it like a fence. So this place came to be known as Tiru Nel Veli (Tiru - means beautiful,
Nel - means paddy and Veli - means fence). The Lord also came to be known as Nellaiappar.
The Devi is called Kanthimathi (Kanthi means
lustre and Mathi means moon).
The temple, measuring 850 feet by 756 feet, is situated in the heart of the town. It was
built by a Pandya king in the 7th Century. There are beautiful Mandapams and Teerthams in
the temple. |
