Thirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple

Thirumanikuzhi

Paadal Petra Sthalams - Cuddalore District

God

Vamanapureeswarar (also called Udhavinayagar, Manickavaradar), facing east

Goddess

Ambujaatchi (also called Udhavinayagi, Manickavalli), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaga, Muruga, 63 Nayanmars, Sapthamadar, Yugalingams, Gajalakshmi, Nataraja, Panchamurthy, Navagraha, Bhairava, Surya, Chandran

Thirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple is an east facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. There is an outer and an inner Prakaram. Since the Lord here is always in the company of his consort a screen with Beemarudra image is always drawn covering him. The screen in opened briefly after the customary first worship to Beemarudra. There is no separate Palliarai here as the lord is always with his consort.

Holy water (Theertham) – Gedilam (river), Suvedha Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Kondrai (Cassia siamea)

History

Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) has rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here at Thirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple. Though it is mentioned in the Periyapuranam that Sundarar also worshiped the lord here, his hymns have not been recovered. Inscriptions belonging to the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar Periods mention the lords names as ‘Udhavi Nayagar and Udhava Manikuzhi Mahadevar’. Arunagirinadhar (15th Century CE) has rendered Thirupugazh Hymns for Lord Muruga here at Tirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple. Vamanapuri, Indralogam and Bheemasankara Kshetram are some of the other names for Tirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple.

Legend

Mahavishnu after killing Mabali in his Vamana Avatar is said to have worshiped the lord here at Thirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple to rid himself of the sin.

Once a trader (named Athri) from northern parts was waylaid here in this area when the lord came to his help (Udhavi) and thus his name here is also Udhavinayagar and the Goddess Udhavinayagi.

Directions

Take the road to Thirupadiripuliyur and Thiruvaheendrapuram temples and drive further ahead to reach Thirumanikuzhi Vamanapureeswarar Temple. This road will take you onwards to Thiruvadhigai and Panruti.

Stay and Food

None locally. Cuddalore is the closest.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples