Manimangalam Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Manimangalam Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Manimangalam, Kanchipuram District– 601 301 Mobile: +91- 98413 63991 / 88707 25799

Diety

Rajagopalaswamy Amman: Sengamalavalli Thayar

Introduction

The Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Manimangalam, located in the Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu, is a 1,000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Location: The temple is situated in the village of Manimangalam, which is approximately 12 kilometers west of Tambaram in the Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu.

Deity: The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Sri Rajagopalar. He is seen in a standing posture, facing east, along with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There is also a separate shrine for Sengamalavalli Thayar.

Construction Period: The temple’s construction dates back to the Chola period. Chola rulers, including Kulothunga I, Vikrama Chola Deva, and Raja Raja, significantly contributed to the upkeep of the temple.

Historical Significance:

This temple is renowned for its historical importance and stone inscriptions that provide insights into its glorious past.
It is considered a Parikara Sthalam, a place of remedy, for individuals seeking to regain their eyesight.

Birthplace of Sri Ramanuja: Manimangalam is believed to be the birthplace of Sri Ramanuja, a revered philosopher and theologian who played a significant role in the development of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition.

Battle of Manimangalam: The temple is historically associated with the Battle of Manimangalam, as mentioned in the writings of Kalki in “Sivagamiyin Sabatham.” This battle is said to have taken place between the Western Chalukya ruler Pulikesin II and the Pallava King Narasimhavarman I.

Inscriptions: Several inscriptions found in the temple date back to the rule of Rajendra Chola I in 1056 CE. These inscriptions mention the temple as Kamakoti-Vinnagar and Thiruvaykulam.

Temple Architecture:

The temple covers an area of around 1.25 acres and has an open and spacious layout.
The sanctum of the temple houses a 7-foot-tall idol of Lord Rajagopala Swami.
The temple’s vimanas (tower structures) are artistically designed, with exquisite carvings.

Special Features:

The temple exterior walls feature five niche idols (Koshta) of Ganesha, Chakra Prayoga Murti (Vishnu with his discus), Paramapada Nathar, and Durga. It is unique to find Ganesha and Durga as niche idols in a Vishnu temple.
The temple’s vimanas include depictions of Dakshinamurti, Nardana Krishna, Yoga Narasimha, Kalinga Nardana Krishna, and Vishnu in a seated Padmasana posture.

Festivals:

The temple celebrates various festivals, including Vaikunta Ekadasi and Purattasi Saturdays, among others.

The Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Manimangalam stands as a testament to the rich heritage and architectural splendor of the Chola period and continues to be a place of reverence and historical significance.