Thirumanicherai Udaiyar Injimedu

Saivite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Thirumanicherai Udaiyar, facing east

Goddess

Thirumani Nayaki, facing south

Other Deities

Navagraha, Sage Agastya, Naalvar, Palingu Dhyana Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts. Sanctum niches – Sankatam Theertha Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga

Thirumanicherai Udaiyar Injimedu is a small east-facing hill temple reached through a flight of 51 steps. The landscaping and the covered steps make the climb pleasant. On the way up are the Navagrahas with their mounts and a shrine for Sage Agastya. On top of the hill, the sanctum sanctorum is situated on a single prakaram. The main deity is large at about 4 feet tall. There is a cave behind the temple in between two large rocks. There is also a perennial spring, the water from which is stored down the hill in a conch shaped modern water tank.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sangu Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Thazhampoo (Fragrant Screw Pine – Pandanus odorifer)

History

A stone inscription is kept in the Thirumanicherai Udaiyar Injimedu temple, the details of which are not mentioned. We learned that the temple was demolished during some battle about 500 – 600 years ago. Though the shiva lingam is believed to be ancient, historical information is not available.

Legend

Thirumanicherai Udaiyar Injimedu temple literature provides many stories of miracles and events from ancient to recent times including one of Sage Agastya coming here and standing on the hill to balance the north and south during Lord Shiva’s marriage in Mount Kailash. Pambatti Sidhdhar is believed to dwell even today in the cave on top in the form of a snake. Thazhampoo, the sacred plant here is believed to be here in penance to get a cure for the curse of Lord Shiva (from the Legend of Brahma and Vishnu going in search of Lord Shiva’s head and feet respectively).

Directions

Thirumanicherai Udaiyar Injimedu is about 24 kilometers north west of Vandavasi via Mazhaiyur.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Vandavasi.

Saivite Temples

Thirumanicherai Udaiyar, Injimedu