Vanasundareswarar Manampathi

God

Vanasundarar, facing east

Goddess

Periyanayaki Amman, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Nava Veeras, Navagraha, Kala Bhairava, Lakshmi Narayana Perumal, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmar, Brahmi, Gowri, Maheswari, Varahi. Sanctum Niches of main deity – Gnanaganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Durga.

Vanasundareswarar Manampathi is a large east facing temple with 2 Prakarams. The entrance is from the south through a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. A large Mahamantapa, is followed by the shrine of the goddess and the Sanctum Sanctorum. The idols of 63 Nayanmars are made of Panchaloha (Alloy of 5 metals) and not of stone. Thai Poosam is celebrated grandly with the processional deities of around 20 temples visiting Vanasundareswarar Manampathi temple. Vanasundareswarar Manampathi is considered to be important after the Paadal Petra Sthalams and referred to as an Abhimana Sthalam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Vanasundareswarar Manampathi is an ancient temple built by Rajendra Chola. He named the village and the lord after his mother Vanavanmadevi. The stone inscription dating back to him is present in the temple. It also mentions him bringing Vedic scholars to the village, building them houses and setting up a school for the Veda’s.

Legend

Lord Indra came to take a dip and worship the lord here at Vanasundareswarar Manampathi to get back his wealth that was lost due to his imprisonment by Surapadma.

Directions

Vanasundareswarar Manampathi is 11 kilometers west of Uthiramerur.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest are Uthiramerur or Kancheepuram.