3. SRI UCHINATHESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUNELVAYIL (SIVAPURI), CHIDAMBARAM

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	57th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	3th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

The historical name of this place is Thirunelvoyil.  “Thiru” a respectful prefix, “nel voyil” means “sprawling paddy fields at the entrance of the village”. However, now this place is called “Shiva Puri”.

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar:

It is believed that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar stayed in Thiruvetkalam, a neighbouring Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, and visited other temples from there. During one of his visits to this temple, he was blessed with food at noon time by Lord Shiva in the guise of the temple priest. Hence, the lord here is praised as “Sri Uchinatheswarar” – “Uchi” means noon, “Nathar” means lord and “Eswarar” is a respectful suffix in Tamil. In Sanskrit, the lord is called “Sri Madhyaneswarar”.

People who worshipped here:

It is also believed that sage Agasthiyar and Kanva Maharishi have worshiped the lord of this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·       This is east facing temple with 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).
·    Behind the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum, there is a sculpture that depicts Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi in their wedding form.
·      The pillars in this temple have beautifully carved reliefs.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Uchinatheswarar, Sri Madhyaneswarar
Ambal	Sri Kanakambikai
Theertham	Kirupasamudram pond
Sthala Vriksham	Nelli tree (Ghooseberry)

BELIEF:

Devotees perform the ritual of “Annaprashan” (feeding the child rice for the first time) in this temple with the hope that their child would never have to face food shortage in his life.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Somavaram
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thirunelvayil is located at a distance of about 5 kms from Chidambaram. The temple is 2 kms away from Annamalai University. From the university, take the Kavarapattu road and then take the Perampattu road. The temple is on this road itself.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Uchinatheswarar Temple,
Sivapuri,
Annamalai Nagar Via,
Chidambaram,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu – 608002.

LOCATION: