Margazhi Special: Sunlight Falls on the Swayambhu Lingam for All 30 Days at Uvari Temple
Located in Uvari village of Tirunelveli district, the Bramma Sakthi Udanurai Swayambhunathar Temple is renowned for a rare and spiritually significant phenomenon. During the entire Margazhi month, for all 30 days, the morning sunlight falls directly on the Swayambhu Shiva Lingam at around 7 a.m., making it an exceptional sight for devotees.
The presiding deity here is a Swayambhu Lingam, and the Lord is worshipped in the form of Lingothbhava, one of the most important manifestations among the 25 forms of Lord Shiva. Witnessing the sun’s rays touching the Lingam every day for a whole month is considered extremely rare, even among temples where solar alignments are known.
This unique phenomenon has given rise to the belief that nature itself performs worship, symbolically offering reverence to the Lord. It is also said that the name Uvari is associated with the idea of nature fanning the deity with devotion.
Devotees believe that visiting this temple brings mental peace, and those suffering from stomach ailments or mental stress experience relief through sincere worship. Major festivals such as Vaikasi Visakam, Thaipusam, and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated here with great devotion.
Another distinctive practice followed at this temple is the offering of seashore sand carried in 11 or 41 palm-leaf boxes, a ritual observed for generations. Additionally, four natural freshwater springs are located near the seashore within the temple premises, and water from these springs is used for abhishekam.
Set against the backdrop of a scenic coastal village, devotees believe that darshan of the Swayambhu Lingam during Margazhi brings manifold blessings. Visiting the Uvari temple at least once is considered highly auspicious.
