- Shiva
Uchi Natheswarar Kanagambal Temple
- Sivapuri,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
The Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple is located in Sivapuri in Tamil Nadu.
About the Temple
This temple has only one prakara. The Rajagopuram faces the east. Lord is facing east and Ambica south the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 3rd Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. This is one of the sacred places where Lord Shiva granted darshan to Sage Agasthya. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi appear in their wedding posture behind the Shivalinga. During his stay in Chidambaram, Sambandar used to come to this temple everyday to worship the Lord. The places around Chidambaram were once green with paddy fields, hence the name of the place Tirunelvoyil, presently called Sivapuri. The temple is in this place. After Mother Parvathi fed Gnanasambandar with Wisdom Milk (Gnanappal in Tamil), Lord Shiva too offered food to the saint.
About the Deity
The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Uchinathar. His consort is known as Uchinathar.
Legend and stories
Legend has it that Saint Gnanasambandar was born to Shiva devotees Shivapada Hrudayar and Bhagawathi. When he was three years old, the father came to Brahmma Theertha in the Sirkali temple, left the child in the steps and went for bath. The child felt hungry and cried. Lord Shiva asked Mother Parvathi to feed the child which mother did. When Shivapada Hrudayar came back and found milk drops on the face of child, he asked the child who gave him the milk. Child showed the direction of the temple and sung the first hymn “Thodu Udaya Sevian”. Shivapada’s joy knew no bounds when he heard that the Great Mother fed his son. The wedding of Gnanasambandar was arranged when he was 12. The relatives of both sides and 63 shiva devotees travelled to Achalpuram Shiva temple. It was midday. All in the party were hungry and stayed at Sivapuri. Knowing their suffering from hunger, Lord in the guise of the temple priest fed the party with a delicious lunch. Lord is praised as Uchi Nathar (meaning Midday Lord and Madhyaneswarar in Sanskrit). People of the place call this temple Kanakambal Koil.
Festivals
Vaikasi Visakam in March-April, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, Karthikai Soma varams-Mondays in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Significance
Parents perform the Anna Prasana ritual (first rice feeding of the child) in the temple hoping that the child would never face food problem in life. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.
Accessibility
Sivapuri is 3 km from Chidamabaram on the Kavarapattu road. The closest railway station is in Chidambaram, and the closest airports are located in Trichy and Chennai.
Temple Address
Sri Uchinathar Temple,
Sivapuri – 608 002,
Via Annamalainagar,
Cuddalore district.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- For excellence in education For matrimonial wishes
- children never face scarcity for food.
Shlokas
Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree
Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.
Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat
Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.
Timings
6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.