History and tradition
- Architecture
- South Indian Architecture
- First attested
- 7th century
Temple tree
நெல்லி
Theertham
- கிருபா சமுத்திரம் · Temple tank
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Shaiva temple
Tirunelvayil
சிவபுரி
Tirunelvayil, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India
Details are compiled from Wikimedia projects and published temple sources. Send a correction if something is wrong. Report a correction
Overview
Shiva as Uchinathar
Consort கனகாம்பிகை
swayambu lingam
Shaiva temple
200px|thumb|Sculpted image of Nataraja|left As per Hindu legend, the god Shiva and his consort Parvati appeared to the sage Agastya at this place (the same legend is attributed to several Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu). The place is called Thirunelvayil as it is believed that it was surrounded by fresh rice fields during the time (nel in Tamil indicates paddy grain). As per another legend, saint poet Sambandar, who was born in Sirkali, was fed by Parvati with divine milk. The child grew up and visited various temples and sung praised of god. At the age of twelve, his marriage was arranged to be held at Achalpuram. The marriage party visited the place on the way to Achalpuram. The party was hungry and on account of divine intervention, food was offered. Sambandar started praising Shiva as Uchinathar (Madhyaneeswarar in Sanskrit). Periyapuranam, the 11th century compilation of the Nayanmars has details about Sambandar visiting the place after coming via Thillai Nataraja Temple and Thiruvetkalam.
Visit information
Sources
Details are compiled from Wikimedia projects and published temple sources. Send a correction if something is wrong.