Vamaneeswarar Temple, Thirumanikuzhi

Vamaneeswarar Temple, also called the Thirumanikuzhi Temple, stands on the bank of the Kedilam river in Thirumanikuzhi village, Cuddalore district, on the Cuddalore–Panruti highway. Shiva is worshipped as Vamaneeswarar in the form of a lingam, with Parvati as Manonmani Amman, and the temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Legend links it to Mahabali, the generous asura king who gave Vamana three paces of land and offered his head for the third; blamed for the way he won divine grace, he is believed to have worshipped here for relief.

The two-acre complex, with concentric walls around its shrines, is believed to have been a place of worship of the Chola king Kochengat Chola. Later additions are credited to the Cholas, and the present masonry dates from the 16th century. Inscriptions survive from Rajaraja I, Kulothunga I and Rajendra III.