The Agastheeswarar temple is distinguished as the only holy abode that is dedicated exclusively to Sage Agathiar. Here, the Utchavar, or the main deity, is seen with the middle fingers of his right hand folded as if welcoming his devotees into the temple. Sage Agathiar is depicted as Lord Shiva, along with the smaller deities in the sanctum sanctorum, as in other Shiva temples.
 
Special Features of the Temple
        In the annual festival held here in the month of Panguni, the food-offering ceremony or " Annam Padaithal is held with much fanfare. Devotees believe that when you open the room the next morning, you will find footprints in the pile of food. It is said that Sage Agathiyar himself comes and accepts the food prepared by the devotees, so his footprints are imprinted.
 
Important Festivities
         The annual festival held in the Tamil month of Panguni is celebrated for ten days. On the eighth day, Lord Agathiar and his divine consort, Goddess Loba Mudrai Ammai, are adorned in green silk and decorated with flowers. The highlight of the eighth day is that Lord Nataraja also appears along with Sivagami, his divine consort.
 
In the month of Thai, the celestial wedding of Lord Agathiyar-Loba Mudrai Ammai is held with great fanfare. Apart from this, special worships are also held on the monthly Pradosham, Shivarathri, and full moon days. 
 
Visit our website Tirunelveli Today to know more about Agastheeswarar temple.

Agastheeswarar temple - Tirunelveli today

If you know anything about the city of Tirunelveli, log on to our website Tirunelveli Today, and you can find more about the famous confection made here, known as the Tirunelveli Halwa. Tirunelveli town, about 85 kilometres and a one-hour drive from Kanyakumari is known for its famed Tirunelveli Halwa confection from the Iruttukadai. 
 
The sweet is prepared from wheat, ghee, and sugar laced with almonds and is a feast for the taste senses. It is prepared using palm jaggery or karupatti and water from the Thamiraibharani River, which has a high concentration of copper content. When served warm, it glides off the spoon and straight into your mouth. If you want to tryout their recipe at home, it is possible by paying attention to details.

Tirunelveli halwa - Tirunelveli today

Watch our space at Tirunelveli Today if you want to know about the history of Tirunelveli Halwa. Irutukadai in Tirunelveli is a world-famous Halwa shop opposite Nellaiyapar Temple, Asia's largest Shiva temple in Tirunelveli. It was started almost 95 years ago by Bijili Singh from Rajasthan, who came to Tirunelveli for business. The Halwa was delicious as they made it with the water of the Tamiraparani river.
 
As the name suggests, this shop operates in a dark atmosphere to date with an old-fashioned forty-watt incandescent bulb and an old wooden shutter door. The shop functions in the same old building by following the same tradition and opens only in the late evening. This shop makes only the famous halwa sweet with ingredients like wheat, sugar, and ghee.
 
The Halwa produced here daily gets sold out within a few hours.
Even today, they use manual equipment to soak wheat and extract milk. Apart from wheat, ghee, and sugar, no other ingredients or chemical colours are added to this Halwa. This is the main reason why the taste of this Halwa remains unchanged.

Sodhi is a renowned Tirunelveli kuzhambu. This kuzhambu is a wedding day special. Sodhi, potato poriyal and ginger chutney are Tirunelveli wedding staples. If you wish to make the Sodhi recipe, log in to the Tirunelveli Today website.

Coconut milk is the main component of this vegan dish. Cooked vegetables with added coconut milk. But, it is not Kerala stew. The yellow mung dal distinguishes it. Sodhi is an energizing meal made from lentils and drumsticks. A touch of lime added to the chilled Sodhi adds an unusual flavour. Sodhi kuzhambu usually uses 4 vegetables: potato, carrot, beans, and drumstick.

Sodhi recipe - Tirunelveli today

The Nanguneri Sri Vanamamalaiyappa Perumal temple is located in Tirunelveli district.
It is one of the hundred and eight Vaishnava Divya Desa Sthalas or temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Details in the website Tirunelveli Today state that the Nanguneri temple is famous for its special oil well or Ennai Kinaru. 

An oil ceremony or Kottai Ennai Kaapu Urchavam is held every year for the presiding deity, Lord Perumal in his sanctum sanctorum. The ritual is held annually on Thai Amavasai or the no-moon day in the Tamil month of Thai. Specially refined pure coconut oil is used for this ritual.

All the oil consecrated on Lord Perumal is stored in a well inside the temple complex.
This oil, which has been stored for many years holds special properties. lt is said that the oil does not get spoiled even when exposed to rain or sun. As this oil has curative properties, devotees receive it as prasad and take it home for use.

Nanguneri Temple - Tirunelveli today

Whenever you think of Tirunelveli, you remember Halwa, popularly known as "Tirunelveli Halwa." To know more about the Tirunelveli Halwa, log on to our website Tirunelveli Today. The popular sweet was introduced by people from Rajasthan with extraordinary skills who came to work for Chokkampatti Jamindhar. The Jamindhar made them stay here in the late 19th century as he fell in love with the taste of the sweet.
 
The Halwa makers still belong to the same family. They follow a rich tradition and prepare the popular sweet by soaking wheat in water and extracting the milk brew through manual crushing action. The secret ingredient of the famous sweet is Tamiraparani water. The halwa is prepared by cooking with dry wood as fuel in order to gain a low-intensity flame that increases and enriches the taste.
 
Iruttukadai Halwa is the best place for halwa in Tirunelveli, which won't even have a signboard. Lakshmi Vilas is another popular shop offering high-quality halwa. Shanthi Sweets is another halwa shop in Tirunelveli, open 24 hours. You can buy hot halwa here even at midnight. Periya Lala Sweet Kadai is in Ambasamudram, another famous sweet shop well-known for halwa.
 
Another good news is that you can get Tirunelveli Halwa online too. However, Shri Lakshmi Vilas, Shanti sweets, or Irutukadai do not sell online. Most sites use the name "Tirunelveli Halwa" and do not purchase from traditional shops. So, stay cautious and purchase the right halwa when shopping online.

Tirunelveli Halwa - Tirunelveli today

True to Thirugnana Sambandhar's lyrics " Thingal Naal Vizha Malgu Tirunelveli", the Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Gandhimathi temple celebrates festivals every single month of the year. Hundreds of years ago, the Tirunelveli region was the capital of the Pandya kingdom. The famous Pandyan king, Nindra Seer Nedumaran or Rama Pandyan, strongly associates with the history of Nellaiappar temple. 
 
Details in Tirunelveli Today say that the Panguni Uthram festival marks the culmination of Thiruvilayadal when Swami Nellaiappar handed the Sceptre to the Pandyan king. The Venuvana Lingopathi Thiruvilayadal ceremony is held on the fourth day of the festival, and the Thiruvilayadal ceremony of The Lord handing the sceptre to the Pandya Maharaja is held on the tenth day.

Nellaiappar temple - Tirunelveli today

Worshipping at Tenkasi Kashi Viswanath Udanurai Ulagambigai Temple will give you the benefits of worshipping the Lord in Kashi city. If you bathe in the Shiva Ganga Theertha in the Thenkasi temple, you will get the blessing of bathing in the river Ganga in Kashi. According to legends, Lord Kasi Viswanadhar was worshipped here by famous and powerful sages like Narada, Agathiyar, Lord Indra, Mrigandu Maharishi and Vali.
 
According to details found in Tirunelveli Today, the sides of the sanctum gate facing east are guarded by dwara balakas. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Kashi Viswanatha Swamy is depicted as Linga Thirumeniyar. He is a Swayambu-appearing murti but has a gigantic appearance. He is adorned with a Nagaparanam on special occasions.
 
The old Raja Gopuram in this Temple was destroyed in a thunderstorm. Then in 1990, the largest Rajagopuram was completed at 180 feet and can be seen from a great distance. The natural beauty of Tenkasi is depicted on the nine tiers of the Raja Gopuram.
 
In the separate sanctum towards the east, the Sri Chakra Peedham built by Agathiya is considered to be the Parashakti Peedham. Lord Shiva, in a linga form, is right in front of this pedestal. The sculptures in this Temple, like Veerabhatra, Urthuva Dandava Murthy, and two Tamilanangs, Rathi, Thirumal and Kalidevi, are world famous.

Tenkasi Kasi Viswanathar Temple - Tirunelveli today

One of the brightest and most colourful weddings is the Tamil wedding. There are numerous pre- and post-wedding customs and rituals, and the wedding festivities can last up to 3-5 days. Look into our Tirunelveli Today website for details about the available marriage halls in Tirunelveli town.

According to Brahmin rituals, the older family members decorate and place a wooden pole outside the house. The bride and groom's families fast the day before the wedding and allow nine different grains to grow in a pot. The women of the house celebrate by singing popular ancestral melodies.

A brightly decorated car is parked outside the wedding venue, where the couple travels back home after the auspicious event. After returning home, the bride's family welcomes the groom with dresses, nuts, fruits, flowers, and sweets, and the bride's brother puts a Tilak on the groom's forehead.

Marriage Halls In Tirunelveli Town - Tirunelveli today

A glimpse into Tirunelveli Today tells us about the popular festivals held in the Thenkasi temple. The world-famous Udanurai Kashi Viswanath temple is located in Thenkasi, about 56 kilometers west of Tirunelveli. An annual ten-day festival is held here in Masi during which a flag is hoisted over the Swami shrine. The temple's chariot procession is held on the ninth day amidst much fanfare. The Theerthawari takes place on the tenth day of Masi Magam and the  Amman's baby shower is celebrated in Aadipuram in the month of Adi.

The Tamil month of Aipasi is marked with the celebrations of the Thirukalyanam or the celestial wedding and the Kanda Sasti festival. Somawara Puja and Tirukarthigai Chokkapana lighting are very popular during the Karthigai month. During Margazhi month, Tirupalliyeyuchi and Tiruvempa rituals are performed early in the morning.

Apart from this, Masi Shivratri, Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram, Tamil New Year, six abhishekams of Nataraja, monthly Pradosham and Pournami pujas are also performed.

Let us discuss about Thiruvilayadal of Thiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple. If you wish to learn more about Tiruchendur temple, visit the Tirunelveli Today website. Shanmukha Chikamani Kavirayar and Sivagami Sundari, who lived in Tiruvaikunda on the banks of the river Thamirapharani in earlier times, did not have children even after so many years of married life. 

The couple performed Kanda Sashti fasting and worshipped Lord Muruga, and by the grace of the lord, a boy was born. The child was named Kumaraguruparan and nurtured with affection. However, Kumaragurupara was unable to speak until the age of five. His parents were distraught. Believing that only Lord Muruga could give their child the ability to speak, they went to Tiruchendur and appealed to Lord Senthil by staying there for 45 days and observing severe fasting. But there was no change in Kumaragurupara. Pained by this, the parents stubbornly told Murugan that they would not leave the temple until their child spoke. 

On the evening of the 45th day, Kavirayar entered the temple with his wife and child and appealed to Murugan. They screamed and cried, saying they would kill themselves by falling into the sea if the Lord didn't make the child talk. As the parents prepared to go toward the sea, the child began to speak with the grace of Murugan. It is more appropriate to say the child began to sing, praising Lord Muruga. His parents became speechless, seeing the miracle. Gandhar Kali Venpa is a collection of songs sung by Kumaragurupara. It is noteworthy that Kumaragurupara, gifted with a speech by the grace of Lord Muruga, composed many wonderful books and added fame to Saivism.

Tiruchendur Temple -Tirunelveli Today

The Nellaiappar temple in Tirunelveli has numerous details about the legend of Lord Nellaiappar and his consort Gandhimathi Amman who are none other than Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Details found in Tirunelveli Today say that Umayammai stood on one leg on the banks of the Patalangambai river and performed severe penance to save the lives of this world. History says that the Lord appeared as a charioteer to the mother who had done severe penance and married her.
 
Legends say that Lord Shiva protected the paddy by surrounding it like a fence. This is how Tirunelveli got its name, where Tiru means divine, "nel" means paddy and "veli" means fence.
 
It is said that the Lord performed this Thiruvilayadal so that the world would know that it is wrong to immediately get angry with the other person without knowing what state he is in and if he is not able to do what he has told his devotee, even if it is the Lord, he will be cursed by the devotee.

Nellaiappar Temple - Tirunelveli Today

Let's walk through the ancient history of the Gangaikondan Kailasanathar Temple, as given on our website Tirunelveli Today. 
 
Legend talks about a grazing cow that automatically discharged milk from its udder into a hole near the roots of a large tamarind tree. The ruling King heard of this miracle and came with an army and entourage to witness it for himself. Under the tamarind tree, he found a termite mound and a Shiva Lingam. 
 
The King decided to consecrate the Lingam and build a temple. However, before he could commence the work, the Lord ordered him to build the temple without cutting down the tree. According to the history of this temple, it is said that the Lingam was consecrated from the tamarind tree, and a temple was built near it.
 
Swami Sri Kailasanathara and Sri Anandavalli Ammai
 
In the sanctum sanctorum facing east, Sri Kailasanathar is seen in the Lingam or Suyambu Thirumeni form. He is decorated with sandalwood on special occasions or with the Nagaaparanam during Pradosha. In the sanctum sanctorum facing east, Sri Anandavalli Ammai is depicted with four arms in a standing posture.
 
Special features of the temple
 
Every year, on one day in the Tamil month of Thai, devotees throng the temple to witness the miraculous event of the sun's rays falling directly on Kailasanathar during sunrise.
It is believed that the Lord appeared to Vamadeva Maharishi. Thus,  Vamadeva Rishi has a shrine here. Another highlight is that the Anandavalli Amman and the Utsavar murthys are displayed with four arms.
 
This temple has a sculpture of Maha Vishnu with Nachiyars on the stone pillars found at the entrance to Amman's sanctum sanctorum. There is no separate shrine for Navagrahas.
 
It is said that Agni Deva bathed in the Tirtham here and worshipped the Lord in this temple. The inscription of Seevalamaara Pandyan found in this temple mentions that Kailasanathar, the presiding deity is also known by names such as Gangaikondan Udaiyar, Srivallabha Mangalathu Kailayathu Bhattarakar, Kailayathu Peruman, Pandi Naatu Kudi konda Kodi Valanaatu Keezha Kalakootrathu Gangai Konda Chola Chaturvedi Mangalathu Kailayamudayar and Kailayamuda Nayanar.
In the Saiva Agamas, according to Karana Agama rules, there are four period Pujas  held here, namely Kalasandhi, Uchikalam, Sayaratsai and Arthasamam.
 
The major festivals held here are:
 
 
Chithirai Visu
Vaikasi Visakham
Aani Thirumanjanam
Aadi Pooram
Puratasi Navratri
Aipasi Thirukalyanam
Thirukarthikai
Margazhi Thiruvadhirai
Masi Shivratri

Kailasanathar Temple -  Tirunelveli Today

The Nichayathartham, or betrothal ceremony, is the first of many rituals performed in South Indian weddings. A series of ceremonies take place in the homes of the bride and groom separately. But if you want to book a wedding hall, you can learn about the marriage halls in Tirunelveli by logging onto the Tirunelveli Today website.

The procedure for the Nalangu Ritual in Tamil Mudaliyar Weddings begin with the bride and groom sitting on a mat. The family's women apply turmeric paste to their hands, legs, feet, and cheeks. The Nalangu ceremony for the bride and groom is an exciting event that allows both parties to get to know each other better.

Marriage halls in Tirunelveli town - Tirunelveli today

Marriage Halls In Tirunelveli - Tirunelveli today

Hindus used to think of religious rites in their homes, but in recent times, weddings are taking place in halls, on public property, and on beaches. A marriage hall is where a man and a woman take their wedding vows. The mandapam is a four-post temporary structure with a canopy for conventional Hindu marriages that creates the sacred area. Check out the Tirunelveli Today website to know more about the best marriage halls in Tirunelveli. 

The mandapam is built with organic pillars consisting of young stalks of banana, sugar cane, bamboo, or wood. Red and gold colours, silks, turmeric, kumkum, and the traditional greens of banana leaves, betel leaves, and mango leaves are used to decorate traditional Hindu weddings. A kalasam is a brass or silver container that symbolises the human body and is filled with holy water at every Hindu wedding. It is decorated with five mango leaves to represent the five senses and is topped with coconut.

Best marriage halls in Tirunelveli - Tirunelveli today

Marigold flowers, miniature mandapam, and a shehnai mridangam have been a part of Tamil weddings for a long time. Tamil weddings are often expensive affairs! Check out the Tirunelveli Today website to learn about the various AC marriage halls in Tirunelveli.
 
The venue can be adorned with canopies, chandeliers, floral fountains, floral accents, hanging flower pots, and inverted gardens to make the wedding look even more opulent. Exotic wedding flowers can also be used as part of the decoration.
 
Be sure to place a spectacular mandapam in the exact center of the venue to make the Tamil wedding a lavish affair. Use royal cutlery and hire celebrities to perform at the event to add sparkle and make the ceremony magnificent.

AC marriage halls in Tirunelveli - Tirunelveli today

Among the famous Pandya Nadu Divya Desams, the temples around the Tamirabarani river are collectively called "Navathirupathi". To know more about 108 Divya Desam, log on to the Tirunelveli Today Website.

The second temple in the order of Navathirupathis is ThiruVaragunamangai Perumal Temple Divya Desam. This temple represents Chandra Graham (Planet). Inside the temple sanctum, under the Vijayakodi Vimana, is seated the Vijayaasana Perumal holding Sangu (his divine shell) and Chakra. Boomagal and Nilamagal, the divine consorts of God, are also seen inside the sanctum.

108 Divya desam - Tirunelveli today

Welcome to Tirunelveli, the land of ancient temples, soulful cuisine, and an exclusive halwa heritage! We celebrate all that Tirunelveli has to offer and give you a glimpse into this ancient Indian city. 
 
Experience the heart of Tamil culture and heritage with our guide on the temples of Nellai. Don't miss this section when you're planning a trip here!   
 
If you're a serious foodie looking for cuisine that takes itself seriously, you'd be at home in Nellai! The food culture here is pretty exclusive, with inspirations from all over India and specializations you won't find anywhere else! At the heart of it all, you will find the fragrant, melt-in-your-mouth Tirunelveli halwa, a can't-miss feature of the culture.
 
Come experience this jewel of a city that brings past, present, and future together in an unforgettable experience you won't want to miss!

Tirunelveli Today

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