Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Azhagar directing Maavali Vaanathi Raya to build Temple on the banks of Vaigai : Maavali Vaanathi Raya ruled this place from his palace about 2 kms east of this temple - currently referred to as Kallikottai Mound. It was his daily practice to ride his horse to Azhagar Koil in Thiru Maalirun Cholai for a darshan of Kallazhagar. When on consecutive days, he could not make it to Azhagar Koil, the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai asked him to build within his territory a temple for him. When asked for the exact location, the Lord directed him to a place where Noopura Gangai flows as Vaigai and splits into two. He asked the king to build the temple at one place and the temple tank in the other. Four kms from the temple is Alankara Kulam (named after the sister of King Maavali Vaanathi Raya), the sacred temple tank. Perumal comes here once a year for Theerthavari Utsavam.

Story behind the name Manamadurai : In the Thretha Yuga, the vanara army reached here in search of Sita. Finding a Brindavana and a lot of fruits, the Vanaras destroyed the Brindavana and ate all the fruits and got themselves intoxicated forgetting the reason behind coming here.  Rama and Lakshmana reached here, boosted their energy and reminded them of the task on hand. Through this, the vanara army got ‘Veeram’ again. Hence this place has come to be referred to as Vanara Veera Madura Puri, which in course of time became Vana Madurai and later Mana Madurai. Even today, this place is referred to as Vanara Veera Madura Puri in all documents.

Vibheeshana presenting princely crown to Hanuman : Hanuman is believed to have come here after the war and enjoyed the Vanam and Vaigai river banks. He told Rama that he would like to stay back here. Vibheeshana is believed to have presented his princely crown to hanuman here. To ensure that another Ravana should not emerge, it is believed that the tall 6 1/2ft Hanuman stayed here facing south keeping an eye on Lanka in an ever watchful posture. Sita is also believed to have presented a 3day feast to Hanuman here as a payback to the service rendered by him.