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. Vaikasi Visakam in March-April, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, Karthikai Soma varams-Mondays in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Lord is Swayambumurthy in the temple. The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. Sri Uchinathar Temple, Sivapuri – 608 002, Via Annamalainagar, Cuddalore district. The temple has one prakara. The Rajagopuram is facing east. Lord is facing east and Ambica south. 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. 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. 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. Lord Shiva is swayambumurthy in the temple.

One of the pedal Petra sthalams.. only temple where gyanasambandhar was given milk by ambal as a child... later while going for marriage to thirunalloor perumanam sivan himself appeared to give food to sambandhar during noon.. hence deity is uchi (noon) nathar.. great architecture and peaceful place ... there is also a big tank opposite to temple.. in the next street there is one another paadal Petra sthalam and deity is paalvana nathar (have separate significance and backstory for the deity) . .. one can visit both the temples... if u have kids pls carry something to eat like biscuit r bread as it is located in village u won't find hotels nearby .. need to come to highway or town to find one..

Shri Utchinathar Shiva temple and nearby Shri Palvannanathar Shiva temple are located in a calm peaceful Sivapuri village north of Annamalai University engineering college. As per legend Lord Shiva provided lunch time food to all the devotees who are on the way to attend Shri Thirugnanasambandar wedding in Achalpuram (1300 years ago), hence the name Utchinathar. Separate Shri Kanagambal Thaayar sannidhi. Big temple pond opposite to temple.

One of the ancient temple in the chidambaram town, A well maintained temple.

The temple is situated near Annamalai University. The temple is also called as Sivapuri. Lord is Uchinatheswar and Goddess is Kanakambikai. The sthala vriksham is gooseberry. Kanva Rishi worshipped here. Apostle Sambanthar has sung verses praising the Lord. The temple is one of the 274 holy shrines of Lord Shiva. Raja Gopuram is having 5 tiers. Small shiva Linga with a square base. Neatly maintained temple.

Nice place the art and sculpture are excellent

One of the oldest Shiva temple which needs immediate attention on maintenance. Just 2 kms from world renowned Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar located at Chidambaram. Its one of the temple which was sung by THIRUGNANASAMBANDAR.

One of the most important temple of lord shiva. Small temple but very nice place to visit. There are three temple nearby related with each other. Devara hyms sung by saivas.

Beautiful and Ancient Temple at Chidambaram. Must Visit for its architecture beauty. Each and every sculptures on temple pillars has life in it. Kindly do visit if you are around chidambaram.

Fine. Must see in life atleast once.

Place where Lord Shiva fed lunch to Gnanasambandar and his marriage attendees. Gnanasambandhar used to visit this temple everyday when he was in Chidambaram. Gurukkal here is sincere in his duties.

It's a hidden humble gem