Vamaneeswarar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport to Cuddalore town is in Pondicherry, about 25 km from the town. Chennai International Airport is about 200 km from the town.

• By train

  Panruti town has a railway station. Cuddalore town has three major stations, including Cuddalore Port Junction.

• By road

  The temple is on the Chennai to Villupuram highway, on the banks of the Kedilam river. The village is also on the Cuddalore to Panruti highway.

Why devotees come here

Vamaneeswarar Temple stands on the banks of the Kedilam river in Thirumanikuzhi village, Cuddalore district. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram hymns. Its shrines sit inside concentric granite walls.

The Tevaram hymns of the early medieval Tamil Saivite poet Thirugnana Sambandar praise this temple, one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Shiva is worshipped here as Vamaneeswarar, in the form of a lingam, and the image is believed to be self-manifested. His consort Parvati is depicted as Manonmani Amman, and she takes precedence over Shiva here, as in Kanchipuram, Madurai, Kasi and Nagapattinam.

Legend says Bali worshipped Maani, a young brahmachari form of Vishnu, and was immersed in a kuzhi, or hole. From that story the place came to be known as Thirumanikuzhi. Another legend says Surya, the Sun, worshipped Shiva here, and a third tells how Vamana, a short Brahmin, asked King Mahabali for three paces of land.

Earlier, the site was thought to be a place of worship for Kochengat Chola, a well-known Chola king. The original complex is believed to have been built by the Cholas, with later additions from other dynasties, and inscriptions of later Chola emperors are found here. The present masonry structure was built during the 16th century, and a five-tiered tower faces east.

Festivals

• Masi month (February or March)Sivaratri

  One of the two most prominent festivals celebrated at the temple.

• Purattasi month (September or October)Navaratri

  The other of the two most prominent festivals celebrated at the temple.

• Every Monday and FridayWeekly rituals

  Somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram (Friday) rituals are held each week.

• Every monthMonthly festivals

  Amavasai (new moon), Kiruthigai, pournami (full moon) and sathurthi are marked each month.

Tips for your visit

• Look for the shrines of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikeswara and Durga around the main shrine precinct, as in other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.
• The five-tiered entrance tower faces east, so walk in from the east side of the walls.

Questions people ask