Thirunelvayil / Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple, Chidambaram - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 4 km from Chidambaram Bus Stand, Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Sivapuri in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the must-include places in Chidambaram pilgrimage tour.

Popularly called Thirunelvayil, Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Uchinathar. This temple is recognized as one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and ranks as the third Shiva Sthalam situated on the northern bank of the Cauvery River in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). The presiding deity is honored in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical text, the Tevaram, composed by the revered Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars.

According to legend, saint Thirugnanasambanthar resided in Thiruvetkalam, a nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, from which he visited various temples. During one such visit to this temple, he was graciously offered food at noon by Lord Shiva, who appeared in the form of the temple priest. Consequently, the deity is venerated as 'Sri Uchinatheswarar'-where 'Uchi' signifies noon, 'Nathar' denotes lord, and 'Eswarar' is a term of respect in Tamil. In Sanskrit, the deity is referred to as 'Sri Madhyaneswarar.' It is also believed that sage Agasthiyar and Kanva Maharishi worshipped the lord of this temple.

The temple spans an area of one acre and features a three-tiered rajagopuram on the eastern side, enclosed by concentric rectangular walls. Access to the sanctum is through a pillared hall known as the mukha mandapa, followed by an artha mandapa. The shrine of the Ambal is situated in the mukha mandapa, facing south. The sanctum contains the presiding deity in the form of a self-manifested lingam. A panel on the wall behind the lingam illustrates the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi. There is a circumambulatory passage surrounding the shrines, and the temple tank, named Kripasamudram, is located directly opposite the temple.

The most significant festival celebrated at the temple is Vaikasi Visagam, which occurs during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June). Other notable festivals include Navratri during Purattasi and Karthikai somavaram.

Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4.30 PM - 7.30 PM

Entry: Free