Renovation of Neelivaneswarar Temple to be taken up shortly

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department has drawn up a proposal for renovating Sri Neelivaneswarar Temple at Tiruppainjeeli near here.

The ancient temple has a separate shrine dedicated to Lord Yama and legend has it that it was at this temple that Lord Siva provided food to Sri Appar who was on his pilgrimage to Kailash. The temple is noted for Deva Kannigal who, in the form of Kalvazhai, bless matrimonial alliances. The temple also accounts for a number of inscriptions.

According to official sources, among the renovation works planned are building a temple car and renovation of ‘rajagopuram.’ The old car at the temple is in a dilapidated condition and could not be used.

The temple does not have an exclusive ‘palli arai’ and it has been planned to construct the ‘palli arai’ near the ‘prakaram’ surrounding the presiding deity of Sri Neelivaneswarar. Estimates are being prepared for renovating every shrine and the temple tank, an official source told

The Hindu here on Saturday. The works would be executed shortly with coordination of donors.

The ‘balalayam’ for the sanctum sanctorum of the deities would be performed in course of time after finalising the proposals.

The renovation would include amenities for pilgrims. As a large number of devotees from different parts of the State throng the temple seeking blessing for matrimonial alliances, additional amenities would be provided.

“The renovation of the rajagopuram requires huge funds and we have been looking for donors for executing the work,” the source said.