Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple- Thiruvarur

Address

Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu 614001 +91- 4367 – 222 276, +91- 94433 43363.

Diety

Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu 614001 +91- 4367

Introduction

Rajagopalaswamy temple is a Vaishnavite shrine located in the town of Mannargudi in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The presiding deity is Rajagopalaswamy, a form of Lord Krishna. The temple is spread over an area of 23 acres (93,000 m2) and is one of the important Vaishnavite shrines in India. The temple is called Dakshina Dwaraka (Southern Dwaraka) along with Guruvayoor by Hindus The temple was first constructed by Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1125 A.D.), with bricks and mortar, indicated by various stone inscription found in the site. Later renovated by Thanjavur Nayaks, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Kings during the 16th century. The temple has three inscriptions from the period and also mentioned in the religious texts. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and seven of its nine bodies of water. The temple has a 154 ft. Rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower. Haridra Nadhi, the temple tank associated with the temple is outside the temple complex and is considered one of the largest temple tanks in India. Pundarikakshan is believed to have appeared as Krishna to sages Gopilar and Gopralayar. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (June-July), being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.

Puranic Significance

Lord Krishna appears as a shepherd boy with a whip on hand and turban wearing a dhoti. He has butter on the right hand, an ornament around the hip, key bunch, bangles in hand and jewels of children. There is cow and two calves by His side. Kamsa, His maternal uncle who kept his sister Devaki – Krishna’s mother – sent his royal elephant Kuvalayapeetam to kill Balarama – Krishna’s elder brother. Lord Krishna, as a boy killed the elephant breaking its tusks. As a reference to this episode, the Lord is holding the tusk in His left hand. Lord Rajagopala appears with an ear ring (Thadanga) on the left ear and a round ear ring on the left has a story. Once, the Gopikas were bathing in river Yamuna. Krishna told them that they should pick up their dresses and ornaments correctly after the bath. One Gopi was not able to find one of her ear rings and was simply searching for it. She found the same in the ear of the Lord and was very happy to see Him handsome with her ear ring. Milk is offered as Nivedhana to Lord in the temple. As in the Madurai Kallazhagar temple, Dosa is offered as Nivedhana in evening pujas. During the Krishnavatara, there were two sages in the south named Gopilar and Gopralayar. Hearing the Leelas of Lord Krishna they set out to see him in Dwaraka. Maharshi Narada met them on the way and told them that Krishnavatara had ended and Lord had returned to His abode. The sages fell fainted on hearing this news. Maharshi Narada woke them up and consoled them. As advised by Narada, they began penance to have lord’s darshan. Lord appeared before them as Krishna in all His 32 Leelas. As requested by the sages, Lord stayed in this place

Beliefs

It is the staunch faith of the devotees that prayers to Lord Rajagopalar-Vaasudeva would bless them with prosperity in life, happy wedding, removal of adverse aspects on children, health of cattle and all happiness. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother and donate cows.

Special Features

Perumal shrine is near to ambal shrine. Opposite to that Garuda is in female. The temple has 16 Towers, 18 Vimanas, 7 prakaras, 7 mandaps and 9 sacred springs-therthas. In the 11 tier Rajagopuram there are no sculptures up to six stages from the base. All God sculptures are from the 7th stage only. This is a rare and different type of Rajagopuram in Mannargudi. For the beauty of temple cars-Raths-‘Ther Azhagu- in Tamil’ Tiruvarur stands as outstanding example. For the beauty of temple Compound Wall-‘Mathil Azhagu-in Tamil’ Mannargudi is numero uno. Theertham Tank is a little far from the temple. This is the place where sages performed penance for the darshan of Lord. This theertha is considered as Jamuna RiverYamuna- and is praised as Haridra Nadhi. The float festival is celebrated here on Aani Poornima day in June-July.

Festivals

Brahmmotsavam in Panguni (March-April), Summer festival in Chithirai – Vaikasi (April to June), Aadi Pooram (July-August), Navarathri in Purattasi (September-October), Oonjal festival for Rajagopalaswami in Masi (February-March) are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple.