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176. Tirunelvayil

திருநெல்வாயில்

Location: Sivapuri near Chidambaram
(
Chola Naadu -North of Kaveri )
Shiva: Uchinathar, Shikhapureeswarar
Ambal: Kanakambika
Theertham: Kripasamudram
Patikam : Sambandar
Travel Base: Chidambaram
Description: This Shivastalam is located at Sivapuri - 2 km away from Chidambaram in the vicinity of Tiruvetkalam near Annamalai University.  Tirunelvaayil is the 3rd  in the series of Tevara Stalangal on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamilnadu.This temple houses two shrines, one to Uchinathar of Nelvayil with a sculptured panel of Shiva and Parvati behind, and a shrine to Paalvannanathar of Tirukkazhippalai.

It is believed that Sambandar visited Chidambaram from Sirkaazhi, accompanied by Tiruneelakanda Yaazhpaanar and others. Considering the whole of Chidambaram to be a Koyil, he resided at Tiruvetkalam. He is believed to have visited Tirunelvaayil, and Tirukkazhippaalai from Tiruvetkalam and composed his Patikam. 

The Temple: This east facing temple has a five tiered rajagopuram crowning its entrance. Facing the temple is the temple tank. In the outer circumambulatory path are shrines to Ganesha and Murugan, Bhairavar. The Ambal shrine within the temple faces south. There is a shrine housing images of Nataraja and Sivakami. There are inscriptions from the Nayak period here. Five worship services are carried out each day and the annual festival is celebrated on Vaikashi Vishakam as in Tiruvetkalam.

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