Uchinathar Temple, Sivapuri, Chidambaram – The Temple
This east facing temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram on
the eastern side with concentric rectangular walls surrounding the temple. The
temple has one prakara. This temple houses 2 shrines, one for Uchinathar of Tirunelvayil and
the other one for Palvanna Nathar of Tirukkazhippalai which was
relocated inside this temple after the original temple situated on the banks of
river Kollidam was submerged by the floods in the river.
The sanctum is approached through a pillared hall
called Mukha Mandapam and an Artha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Uchinathar
/ Uchinatheswarar / Madhyaneswarar and is facing east. The presiding deity in
the form of lingam (an iconic form of Shiva) is located in the
sanctum. He is small and housed in Square Avudai. It is believed that the image
is self-manifested.
There is a panel on the wall behind the image that
depicts the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi. The pillars in the hall leading to
the sanctum has sculpted images depicting various Hindu legends. Mother is called as Kanakambigai. The shrine of the
Ambal is located in the Mukha Mandapam facing south. Sthala Vriksham is Gooseberry.
There are shrines and idols for Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Pancha Lingams, Sani Bhagavan, Suryan,
Chandran, Tirugnanasambandar, Kasi Viswanathar, Durgai, Chandikeswarar and
Bhairavar inside the temple. There is no Navagraha Sannadhi in the Temple. The
temple tank called Kripasamudram is located opposite to the temple. The Temple
Tank is having a Neerazhi Mandapam in the middle of the Tank.
