Sivapuri / Thiru Nelvoyil:  Uchinadhar temple / Kanakambal Temple.


The temple is about 3 kms SW, from Chidambaram. This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu.


The main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers with single prakaram facing east.


Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Uchi Nadeswarar and his consort known as Kanakambikai Amman. 


This is one of the places where Lord Siva gave darshan to Agasthya Muni. We see Parvathy Parameswarar at the back of Siva Lingam in wedding posture.


Sthala Vruksham is Amla.


Teertham is known as Krupa samudram in front of the temple.


As we enter we see Dwajasthambam






Nandi is seen in a mandapam



As we go around the temple prakaram we see Vinayakar, Murugan, Pancha Lingam, Saneeswarar, Navagraham and Natrajar sanctums.






Kala Bairavar sannidhi






Inner sanctum Gopuram


The temple was surrounded with paddy field hence the name Thiru Nelvoyil. At present the place is well known as Sivapuri.



Sthala Purana says Thiru Gyana Sambandhar who is great devotee of Lord Siva, was blessed by Lord. When he was 3 years old, his father left him on the steps of pushkarani to have bath. The child was hungry and cried for milk.  Goddess Parvathy gave him milk. When his father came he saw milk in the lips of child, asked the child who gave him milk. He pointed the hand towards temple and sang his first Hymn in praise of Lord. His father Sivapadhar felt happy to know this.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar along with Nayanmars and relatives was traveling to Achalpuram Siva Temple for his marriage ceremony. They members in marriage party were hungry when they reached this place Sivapuri. Lord Siva in guise of the temple priest fed the party with delicious food. So the lord was praised by them as Uchinadhar / Madhyaneswarar.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns in praise of Lord Siva here. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.