Vamanapureeswarar Temple

Overview

Thirumanikuzhi/Uthavi Manikuzhi /Vamanapuri/ Bhimshankar Kshetram/ Indraloka is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu. In this temple Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built during the regime of Kings of Chola Dynasty. The temple inscriptions reveal that the Kings of Pandya and Vijayanagara Emperors have also made abundant contributions to this temple. This temple is 1000-2000 years old. The temple is praised by Saint Tirugnanasambandar in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 17th temple in the Tamil Nadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.

About The Temple

The temple stands magnificently with three corridors-prakaras and a Rajagopuram of five tiers.. In the inner prakara are the shrines for Vishnu Linga, Bhairava, Lord Selva Vinayaka and Arumugha, 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Madhas, Udhavi Vinayaka, Pancha Murthys, Yuga Lingas, Gurus of Saivite religion, Mother Gajalakshmi, Navagrahas the nine planets, Sun and Moon. The temple was renovated by ancient emperors as Tirisangu and Harichandra.

The devotee can have the darshan of the Lord throughout the puja time in all temples. Here the darshan is available for a few seconds only as the curtain is downed. As Lord and Mother are in privacy, Bheema Rudra, one among the 11 Rudras functions in the form of the screen. Hence, the first puja is performed to him. Then the screen is raised for a few minutes for the darshan of devotees.

The Mooshiga Vahan-mouse vahan- of Vinayaka is by his side instead of being before Him. The buffalo head under the feet of Mother Durga is absent. She has a club in Her hands. Four pillars in the mandap before the Lord’s shrine represent the Four Vedas. Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva is in the right direction.

As in Madurai, Kancheepuram, Kasi, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, Ambica has the ruling dominance in the temple. She is holding two flowers in Her hands, lotus and Neelotpala. The woes of devotees would become softer as flowers, it is said.

Saint Arunagiriar had sung the praise of Lord Muruga of the temple. Salvation lamp is lit on the hill opposite the mount on the Rohini star day in Karthikai month-November-December. Thousands of devotees undertake Girivalam (going round the hill) on poornima-full moon days. All the Gods in the temple are under Aditya Vimana.

Thala Virutcham

Kondrai

Theertham

Swetha and Kedila Rivers.

About The deity

The Presiding deity is Sri Vamanapureeswarar/Manikka Varadar/Uthavinayakar with his consort Goddess Sri Ambujakshi Ammai / Manikkavalli / Uthavinayaki / Pangaya Kanni.

It is not possible to worship the Lord alone as He is always with Mother Goddess Parvathi to teach wisdom to Devas. The inner sanctum is also the Palli Arai in the temple. Lord in the temple is praised as Udhavi Nayakan (Lord who helps all) as mentioned in the hymns of saint Sambandar. Kedila River represents the grace of Mother Mahalakshmi while Mother Saraswathi flows in the form of Sweta River, both meeting here.

Other Deities

Lord Vishnu,Lord Ganesha, Lord Bhairava, Lord Nandikeshwara, Yuga Lingas, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Panchamurthis, Vishnu Linga, Navagrahas, Lord Chandra, Lord Surya, Sapthamathas, Goshtamurtham - Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Brahma, Lingodhbavar and 63 Nayanmars.

Legend and Stories

Lord Vishnu wanted to show the charitable character of Mahabali, the grandson of the celebrated Vishnu devotee Prahlada. Lord Vishnu was born as the 12th child of Kashyapa and Athithi couple as Vamana Brahmmachari. Mahabali also had a little pride about his charitable attitude. Vamana approached Mahabali seeking 3 feet of land. Lord Vishnu measured the whole earth by one of His foot and the second covering the space and asked the emperor for the third. Mahabali politely offered his head for the third. Pleased with his Bhakti, Lord Vishnu granted him a place as a Chiranjeevi, the immortal.

Though Lord Vishnu proved his glory, he had to take the blame of the society for the method He employed in the event. He prayed in this temple for relief. Hence, the place is named Thiru (a respectful prefix) Maani (Brahammachari Vishnu) Kuzhi place – Tirumanikuzhi.

Festivals

Masi Maha Shivrathri in February-March , Purattasi Navarathri in September-October and are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Lord is a swayambumurthy in the temple. According to history of the place, the temple was raised by Sun God performing pujas to Lord.

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform Abhishek to Mother and Lord and offer vastras.

Significance

Those seeking child boon go 11 rounds around shrine of Goddess Ambica in wet clothes on New Moon day, offer butter as nivedhana and consume it for 48 days to get the blessings.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Chennai.

Railways

The nearest railway station is at Cuddalore.

Road

Tirumanikuzhi is 15 kms away from Cuddalore. The temple can be reached by buses bound to Panruti via Palur. Buses are available from Panruti and Cuddlore.

Temple Address

Sri Vamanapureeswarar temple,
Tirumanikuzhi, Cuddalore – 607 401.