Temple Overview & Shrine Details
| Mulavar (Presiding Deity) | Uchi Nadeeswarar, Uchi nada swamy |
|---|---|
| Ambal (Consort) | Kanagambikai |
| Theertham | Kripasamudram |
| Sthala Vruksham | Nelli Tree |
| Paadiyavar | Gyanasambandar |
| Travel Base | Chidambaram |
| Nearest Railway Station | Chidambaram |
| Continent / Region | North Cauvery |
| Circle / Taluk | Chidambaram |
| District | South Arcot |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
Location & Accessibility
This is the 57th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 3rd Sthalam on the north side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place, Thirunelvayil, is between the rivers Uppanaru and Kollidam.This place is now called as Sivapuri. It is situated at around 2 Kms from Chidambaram. We can come to this temple either from Chidambaram or from Annamalai Nagar. We have road upto the temple.
Architecture
This is also a small temple with five tier Rajagopuram facing East. Opposite to the temple we have the pond with neeraavi mandapam. The main deity here is also in the form of Linga.
History & Sacred Legend
Thirunelvayil (Sivapuri) is an ancient Paadal Petra Sthalam sanctified by Saint Thirugnanasambandar's sacred Tevaram hymns. The presiding deity graces in the holy sanctum as Uchi Nadeeswarar facing east.When Shivapada Hrudayaur, Sambandar’s father decided to perform his son’s marriage at Achalpuram, Sambandar was camping at Thiruvetkalam. Hence everyone first went to Thiruvetkalam and along with Sambandar, they left for Achalpuram. Enroute they crossed this place. At that time, it was noon and every one was tired and hungry. Knowing their hunger, the Lord came in the form of a temple staff with a large amount of food and fed everyone. As He had satisfied the devotees with food during noon, He is called Madhyaneswarar (Madhyanam= Midday/noon). In Tamil, He is called Uchi Nathar as Uchi refers to the noon or the highest point of the Sun. This is how Sambandar himself had addressed the Lord- Emadhu Uchiyare. Like Sambandar, every parent wishes to have his/her son to be free from the worry for food. Hence this is a preferred place for Anna Prasanam( first feeding of the child with solid food) in this area.
Festivals & Celebrations
The only festival here is in the tamil month of Vaikasi(May-June) on the Star Visagam.