Abhimana Kshetram !! Mannargudi Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Mannargudi Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple is one of the Abhimana Kshetram of Lord Vishnu also known as Dakshina Dwaraka/Chambakaranya Kshetram situated 27km south west of Tiruvarur in Thanjavaur, Tamil Nadu.  The sacred scripture reveals the significance and glories of this temple, in Mahabharath Sage Pulastya describes the grandeur of this temple to Bheeshma Pitamaha that whoever stays overnight in this sacred place would achieve the merit of 1000 Godhanam. 

 

This is one of the oldest temples built in the year 1072-1150 AD by the King Kulothunga Chola I and II of Chola Dynasty.  Later, Kings of Nayak also have made abundance of contributions to this temple.   The temple inscriptions reveal the grant provided by Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Emperors and records of Nayaks and Marathas.  In this temple the 1000 pillar mandapam, Rajapouram and the magnificent wall encircled the temple was built by the King Vijayaraghava Nayak.  He also made abundance of contributions to this temple includes an armor studded with precious stones to the presiding deity.  ‘Thirupalliezhuchi’ of the Lord with all the musical instruments was introduced by Nayakas who had special likings in instrumental music.   This grand temple occupies 33 acres of land with a majestic Rajagopuram of 154ft height and it has 7 Praharas, 16 temple Towers, 9 Theertham, 18 Vimanams also enshrines 24 Gods and Goddess.

Presiding deity – Utsavar Lord Rajagopalaswamy/ Raja Mannar/Gopalan with his consorts Sri Rukmini & Satyabhama, Moolavar Paravasudevan with his consort Goddess Semkamala Thayar/Hemambja Nayaki

 

Pushkarani – Haridranadhi, Durvasa Theertham/Gajendra Theertham, Thirupparkadal, Gopika Theertham/ Gopralaya Theertham, Rukmini Theertham,Sanghu Theertham, Chakkra Theertham, Agnikunda Theertham , Krishna Theertham, Pambani River

 

Sthalavrukasham – Punnai

 

Prathyaksham to – Lord Brahma in Kritha Yuga, Sage Brighu and Goddess Mahalakshmi in Thretha Yuga, Lord Agni, Gopralaya Rishi and Gopila in Dwapara Yuga and King Rajashekara in Kaliyuga.

 

Sannidhis – A separate shrine for Semkamala Thayar/ Hemambja Nayaki,Lord Santhanagopalan, Sri Garuda Alwar with his consort Suparni, Lord Anjaneya, Lord Narasimha, Sri Mahadesikan, Sri Yoga Narasimhar, Sri Koorthalwar,  Sri Udayavar,  Sri Periyalwar, Sri Kulasekhara Alwar, Sri Andal, Sri Nammalwavar,  Sri Manavala Mamunigal, Thirumangai Alwar and Kumudavalli, Sri Thondaradipodi Alwar, Lord Rama, Sri Perarulalan, Sri Anantha Padmanabha, Sri Lakshmi Narayana, Sri Gajendra Varadar, Sri Vishwaksena and Sutravati Devi, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga,

 

Festivals – Panguni Brahmostavam, Ani Float Festival, Adyayana festival and Garuda Seva in the month Markazhi, Vaikundha Ekadhashi, Vasantostavam, Rohini Utsavam, Serthi Utsavam,

 

Sage Gopila and Gopralaya underwent severe penance praying to Lord Sriman Narayana.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of his devotees and instructed them to visit Dwaraka to attain the blessings of Lord Krishna.  Sage Gopila and Gopralaya resumed their journey to Dwaraka and when they arrived at Dwaraka, the Krishnavathar of Lord Vishnu was over.  Sages were deeply disheartened, Maharishi Narada instructed the sages to visit this temple located in Mannargudi also known as ‘South Dwaraka’.  Sages arrived in this sacred land and continued to follow severe austerities, they prayed to Lord Sriman Naryana to divulge the Krishnavathar of Lord and his pastimes.  Lord Sriman Narayana was pleased at their devotion and once again revealed Krishnavathar and his pastimes in this sacred land. 

 

This temple is renowned for its brilliant craftsmanship with exquisite paintings and murals.  Beautiful pillars embellished with the murals of Achyutappa Nayak,Vijayaraghava Nayak and Rani Chembakalakshmi and brilliant paintings of life of Lord Krishna  on the ceiling  are undeniably visual treat for the eyes.

 

This temple remains open from 5.00AM to 12.30PM in the morning and 4.30PM to 9.00PM in the evenings.

 

 Jai Sriman Narayana !!