Injimedu Thirumanicherai Udayar Temple – Thiruvannamalai

Address

Injimedu Thirumanicherai Udayar Temple – Thiruvannamalai

Injimedu, Thiruvannamalai District,

Tamil Nadu 604503

Phone: +91 4183 293 616

Moolavar

Thirumanicherai Udayar (Lord Shiva)

Introduction

Location:

• Situated atop Periyamalai Hill in Injimedu Village, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Thirumani Cherai Udayar.

Key Features:

• 2500-year-old temple, ransacked 700 years ago, revived with Kumbhabhishekam in 1999.
• Lord Shiva graces as a 5’6” tall Navapashana Lingam (made of nine herbal medicinal properties).
• Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Thirumani Nayagi, standing 4 feet tall.
• Includes a holy perennial spring, Sanghu Theertham, used for abishek and believed to cure diseases, infertility, and snake bites.
• A cave on the hill is believed to house Pampatti Chithar in the form of a snake.

Puranic Significance:

1. Thazampoo Curse:
   • Thazhambu flower gave false testimony in a competition between Vishnu and Brahma to reach Shiva’s extremities.
   • Cursed by Shiva, it stands here as the Sthala Vriksham.
2. Divine Wedding:
   • Rishi Agastya witnessed Lord Shiva and Parvati’s wedding from this hill to balance the earth’s tilt caused by celestial gatherings.
   • Devotees believe prayers here fulfill marriage-related wishes.
3. Navapashana Lingam:
   • Created by a sage after deep penance. Lord Shiva appeared and granted his wish to stay and bless devotees.
4. Nandi’s Origin:
   • Periyamalai is where Nandi became Lord Shiva’s vahana after his penance.
   • The village was once called Nandipuravinnagaram due to the hill’s prominence.

Beliefs:

• Consuming abishek water from the Navapashana Lingam cures diseases, particularly snake bites and infertility.
• Devotees offer vastras and perform abishek for blessings related to health, property, education, and wealth.

Special Features:

• Unique Navapashana Lingam and Sthala Vriksham (Thazampoo).
• Statues of Rishi Agastya and a sacred cave associated with Pampatti Chithar.
• Sanghu Theertham spring with medicinal properties.

Festivals:

• Maha Shivaratri (February-March).
• Margazhi Tiruvadirai (December-January).
• Panguni Uthiram (March-April).
• Karthikai (November-December).

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/02/thirumanicherai-udayar-temple.html

Century/Period

700 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Injimedu

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvannamalai

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

lightuptemple