Thirumanikkuzhi Sri Vamanapureeswarar Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Thirumanikkuzhi Sri Vamanapureeswarar Temple, Tirumanikuzhi Post, Cuddalore Taluk and District Tamil Nadu – 607 401. Tele: +91 4142-224 328.

Diety

Sri Vamanapureeswarar, Sri Uthavinayagar, Amman: Sri Ambujakshi, Sri Uthavinayagi.

Introduction

Vamaneeswarar Temple (also called Thirumanikuzhi Temple) dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirumanikuzhi. Shiva is worshiped as Vamaneeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Manonmani Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple complex covers an area of two acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Vamaneeswarar being the most prominent. Theertham (Holy water): Swetha and Gadilam rivers Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Kondrai

Puranic Significance

The temple is situated on the southern banks of river Gadilam and at the foothill of the Capper hills. It is believed that this temple was renovated by the ancient emperors Thirisangu and Harichandra. It was also improved during the time of the Chola kings. The historical names of this place are Vamanapuri, Indiralogam and Bheemasangama Kshetram. The legend of this temple involves Lord Mahavishnu and Mahabali Chakravarthy – the grandson of the celebrated Vishnu devotee Prahlada. It is believed that Mahabali was a rat in his previous birth. While eating the ghee from a lamp in this temple’s sanctum, it incidentally raised the lamp’s wicks which was about to burn out. Pleased that the rat had lit a lamp in the temple, Lord Shiva granted the rat a boon that it will be reborn in a family of asura (demon) kings. This is how Mahabali Chakravarthy came into existence. Mahabali was very charitable by nature. He would be ready to offer assistance to anyone in need of help. The celestial gods were very jealous of him and they sought the help of Lord Mahavishnu to bring about his downfall. Lord Mahavishnu took the avtar of “Vamana Brahmmachari” to destroy Mahabali. Vamana approached Mahabali seeking three feet of land which he readily offered. Lord Mahavishnu then took his Thiruvikrama avatar and measured the entire earth with a single step of his feet. His second step covered the entire space. He then asked Mahabali what he had to offer for the third feet. Left with no other option, Mahabali politely offered his head. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Mahavishnu pushed him down towards the underworld (“Pathalam”) and made him one of the “Chiranjeevis” – the immortals. It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu came to this place as a bachelor (Brahmachari), and worshiped Lord Shiva at the end of his “Vaamana Avathar”, to seek respite from his “Brahmhathi dosham”. Since Vaamana was of small stature and he would not have been able to see Lord Shiva face, Lord Shiva took a smaller form and appeared inside a pit (pit is called “kuzhi” in Tamil) to enable Mahavishnu to worship him. Since Lord Mahavishnu worshipped the lord here as a bachelor (bachelor means “Maani” in Tamil) and since the lord appeared inside a pit (kuzhi), this place is called “Thiru Manikkuzhi” (“Thiru” is a respectful prefix). The lord here is praised as “Sri Manikkavarathar”. It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu is always worshiping Lord Shiva here. He also requested Lord Shiva that there should not be any disturbances to his worship. Lord Shiva asked one of his “Sivaganams” (guards) – Kubera Bheema Rudra, to stay back at this place, form a protective screen and protect Mahavishnu any interference. Lord Shiva also absolved Lord Mahavishnu of his sins. It is to be noted that Pooja is first offered to Kubera Bheema Rudra to get his permission and then offered to Lord Shiva. Kubera Bheema Rudra’s image can be seen on the screen in front of Lord Shiva. This screen is closed after every Aarathi. This procedure is unique to this temple. Another legend associated with this place is that Lord Shiva saved a north Indian merchant called Athri from thieves. Hence the lord here is also praised as “Sri Udhavi Nayakar” and the Goddess Parvathy is called “Sri Udhavi Nayagi” (Udhavi means help in Tamil). This place was also earlier known as Udhavi. This has been mentioned in the stone inscriptions present in this temple. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar has referred to this place as “Udhavi Maanikuzhi” in his hymn of this temple. There is another legend which states that this temple was raised by Lord Suryan (Sun God) to perform his poojas to Lord Shiva. Gadilam River represents the grace of Goddess Mahalakshmi while Goddess Saraswathi flows in the form of the river Swetha. It is believed that Thirumanikkuzhi is the meeting point of both these rivers.

Beliefs

Devotees seeking “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon) come here and worship Goddess Ambujakshi. There is also a procedure involved in this worship. The devotees are advised to circumambulate the shrine eleven times wearing wet clothes on a new moon day. They are also advised to offer butter as “naivedhyam” and consume it for 45 days.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 17th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). It is said that this temple is the first among the 1008 renowned Shiva temples. This east facing temple has three corridors (Prakarams) with a 5-tier main tower (Rajagopuram). The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 28.10.2012. Apart from the shrines of Lord Vamanapureeswarar’s and Goddess Ambujakshi, there are shrines and idols of lords Selva Vinayakar, Udhavi Vinayakar, Murugan and his consorts, Bala Saasta, Lingothbavar, Vishnu Sidhar Lingam, 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Madhakkals, Pancha Murthys, 4 Yuga Lingams, Theraya Maharishi, Markandeyar, Thirunavukarasar, Sattanathar, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Navagraham, Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the corridors.

Festivals

Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) Rohini Deepa Brahmotsavam (Car Festival) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec)