Vamanapureeswarar Temple

This is the 49th Dev am Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 17th Sthalam situated on the banks of the river Kedilam, at Thirumanikuzhi near Cuddalore. The place is mentioned as "Uthavi Manikuzhi" in Thevara hymns. The temple is located on a small hill, also known as Jyothi Giri or Rathna Giri. According to the Puranas, this area was referred to as Vamanapuri, Indralokam, and Bheemasankara Kshetram.

Timings

Entry fee for the temple is free of cost.

Entry Fee

Free of cost

Origin/History :-

The history of the temple at Thirumanikuzhi can be traced back to before the 7th century. It is believed to have been originally built by the Pallavas and was later reconstructed and extended during the rule of the Chozhas and Vijayanagara kings. The temple is referred to in inscriptions by various names, including "Uthavi," with Lord Shiva being called "Uthavi Nayagar," "Uthavi Mahadevar," "Thirumanikuzhi Mahadevar," and "Uthavithirumanikuzhi Udaya Nayanar." The temple is also mentioned as "Ooseri Uthavi Nayagar" during the Vijayanagara period.

The legend of the Thirumanikuzhi temple is closely associated with Lord Maha Vishnu and Mahabali Chakravarthy, the grandson of the Vishnu devotee Prahlada. It is believed that Mahabali was a rat in his previous birth. One day, while eating the ghee from a lamp in the temple's sanctum, the rat accidentally raised the lamp’s wicks that were about to burn out. Pleased with the rat’s actions, Lord Shiva granted it a boon, stating that it would be reborn in the family of Asura (demon) kings. This is how Mahabali Chakravarthy came into existence.

Mahabali was known for his charitable nature and was always ready to assist anyone in need. His generosity and power, however, made the celestial gods jealous. They sought the help of Lord Maha Vishnu to bring about his downfall. Lord Maha Vishnu took the avatar of "Vamana Brahmmachari" to destroy Mahabali. Vamana approached Mahabali and requested three feet of land, which Mahabali readily agreed to give.

In response, Lord Maha Vishnu took his "Thiruvikrama" avatar and measured the entire earth with a single step. With his second step, he covered the entire space. When it was time for the third step, Mahabali, having no land left to offer, humbly offered his head. Pleased with Mahabali's devotion, Lord Maha Vishnu pushed him down into the underworld (Pathalam) and made him one of the "Chiranjeevis" — the immortals.

The temple's legend also involves Lord Maha Vishnu coming to this place as a bachelor (Brahmachari). After completing his "Vaamana Avatar," Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek respite from his "Brahmhatthi Dosham." Since Vamana was of small stature and could not see Lord Shiva’s face, Lord Shiva took a smaller form and appeared inside a pit (called “kuzhi” in Tamil) to allow Maha Vishnu to worship him.

Since Lord Maha Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here as a bachelor (Maani in Tamil) and Lord Shiva appeared inside a pit (kuzhi), the place came to be known as "Thiru Manikkuzhi" (with "Thiru" as a respectful prefix).

Do's and Don'ts

Pray to Your Ishta Devata: Offer prayers to your personal deity before embarking on your pilgrimage to the temple.
Contact the Temple Devasthanam: For any inquiries about the temple, pooja details, or other information, reach out to the temple’s information center.
Make Travel and Accommodation Arrangements: Ensure that you reserve your travel and accommodation in advance for a hassle-free visit.
Bath and Wear Clean Clothes: Take a bath and wear clean, modest clothing before entering the temple.
Concentrate on the Divine: Focus your mind on the deities inside the temple, dedicating your visit to prayer and devotion.
Maintain Silence: Be quiet and chant your Ishta Mantra to yourself while inside the temple, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere.
Observe Ancient Traditions: Respect and follow the temple's customs and practices during your visit.
Respect Religious Sentiments: Honor the religious and cultural sentiments of fellow devotees and the temple.
Deposit Offerings in the Hundi: Place your offerings in the designated hundi (offering box) only.

Avoid Non-Worship Activities: Do not visit the temple for any reason other than worshiping the deities.
No Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited within temple premises.
No Alcohol: Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in the temple.
No Non-Vegetarian Food: Do not bring or consume non-vegetarian food within the temple grounds.
Avoid Mediators for Darshan: Do not approach mediators for quicker access to darshan as it may inconvenience other devotees.
No Weapons: Do not carry any weapons inside the temple.
Remove Headgear: Avoid wearing headgear like helmets, caps, turbans, or hats inside the temple.
Avoid Sastanga Pranama Inside the Sanctum Sanctorum: Do not perform full prostrations (Sastanga Pranama) inside the sanctum sanctorum.
Limit Time During Sparsa Darshan: Keep your visit brief during the Sparsa Darshan (touching the deity) to maintain the flow of other devotees.
Avoid Buying Spurious Prasadam: Do not purchase prasadam (sacred offerings) from unauthorized street vendors.

Dress Code

Men: The dress code for men includes wearing a shirt and trousers, dhoti, or pyjamas with an upper cloth.
Women: Women are expected to wear a saree or half-saree with a blouse, or a chudidhar with pyjamas and an upper cloth.
For Foreigners: These dress code guidelines apply to foreign visitors as well.

How to reach

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Best season to visit :-

The ideal time to visit this temple is during the winter season, from September to March.

How to reach :-

By Air: The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport. From the airport, you can hire a cab or take a bus to reach the temple in about 3 hours.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Cuddalore Railway Station. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the temple.
By Road: The nearest bus stand is Cuddalore bus stand.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

The Thirumanikuzhi Temple is located near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. The rivers and cities in the vicinity are:

Kedilam River: The temple is situated on the banks of the Kedilam River, an important river in the region.
Cuddalore: The nearest city to the temple, located about 8 kilometers away, is known for its historical and cultural significance.
Chidambaram: A major city about 25 kilometers from the temple, famous for the Nataraja Temple.
Puducherry: Located around 50 kilometers away, this coastal city is known for its French colonial architecture and serene beaches.
Villupuram: Approximately 35 kilometers from the temple, it is a key town in the region with historical importance.