Mannarkoil Rajagopala Swamy Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Mannarkoil Rajagopala Swamy Temple – Thirunelveli

Mannarkoil, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu- 627413

Phone: +91 4634 252 874 / 318 408

Moolavar

Rajagopala Swamy

Amman

Sri devi, Bhoo devi

Introduction

Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Perumal Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu located at Mannarkoil near Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Mannarkoil is an island bounded by the Thamirabarani River on the south side, and the Ghatana River on the north side. The island looks like Srirangam near Tiruchirappalli. The village and the temple are mentioned as Vedhanarayanpuram (sound of Vedas is always heard here) and Rajendra Chola Vinnagaram respectively in ancient records.The saint Kulasekara Azhvar spent his last 30 years in Mannarkoil and attained moksha here. This is the Mukthi Sthalam of Sri Kulasekara Azhwar who was born in a King’s family but became an Azhwar. There is a separate shrine for him.

Puranic Significance

Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Azhwar temple, a Chola temple in the land of Pandyas, was built by Chera king Rajasimha (1028- 1043 A.D.) with the permission of Rajendra Chola I. The Chera has also donated land to the temple at a later date. The village is also known as Rajendra Chola Vinnagaram, named after the Chola monarch Rajendra Chola I, who has made significant contribution to the temple.

Kulasekara Azhvaar:

Kulasekara Azhvaar who was born in Thiruvanjikalam went on to become a Chera King. During his early years, he defeated Chozha and Pandya kings and was a dominant force. However, his devotion to Lord Vishnu led him to renounce power and to a path singing praise of the Vaishnavite Lord. After trips around several Vishnu temples, Kulasekara Azhvaar finally reached Mannar Koil, where he was taken in by the beauty of Vedanarayana, in whom he saw the Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Like Srirangam, Mannar Koil too is surrounded by two rivers on either side -Thamarai Barani on the Southern side and Karuna River on the Northern side. Staying here at Mannar Koil for over 30 years, Kulasekara Azhvaar undertook daily pooja of Lord Rama, who was his abisheka deity, and finally attained Moksham at this place. To this day, one finds the idols of this Abisheka moorthy at this temple. In recognition of his efforts here at Mannar Koil, this temple has come to be known as Kulasekara Perumal Koil, the only historical Perumal Koil to be directly named as an Azhvaar Perumal Koil. His shrine is unusually provided with flag post and Bali peetam. Surprisingly Pandya country is known for many ‘Thiruvarasus’ of Azhwars: Nammazhvar Thiruvarasu at Azhvar Thirunagari (Tamarind Tree), Periazhwar Thiruvarasu at Alagarkoil; Tirumangaiazhvar Thiruvarasu at Thirukkurungudi (Malaimel Nambi). Incidentally, Vibheeshana had also been drawn in to Lord Vedanarayana of Mannar Koil.

Rajendra Vinnagaram:

This place is also referred to as Veda Puri (after Veda Narayana Perumal) and Rajendra Vinnagaram (the great Chozha king who built/renovated this temple).

Sacred Shenbaga Flowers:

In his praise of Lord Vishnu in the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, Kulasekara Azhvaar refers only to Shenbaga flowers and hence this flower is said to be very sacred.

Avathara Sthalam of Azhagiya Manavala Jeer:

Mannarkoil is the birth of Vaadhi Kesari Azhagiya Manavala Jeer who provided detailed vyakyaanam (explanation/description) of Divya Prabhandham known as ‘Panniraayira Padi’.

Beliefs

As this is a holy land with echoes of Vedas, the main prayer is to shine in academic pursuits on strong educational foundation. People also pray for wedding boon, welfare of children causing concern, family welfare and improvement in occupations.

Special Features

The east facing temple has single entrance and two prakarams, an Ardhamandapam, Mahamandapam, connecting Mandapam surrounded by a cloister mandapa around the main sanctum. The temple is situated in between the Tamirabarani river in south and Kadana River in north. Presiding deity Lord Vedanarayana Perumal’s idol is made of Sudha type with herbals. He blesses the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing posture holding the conch (sankha) and discus (chakra) in his upper hands.

The lower right hand is in abhaya hasta mudra and lower left hand resting on his hip and flanked by Ubhaya Nachiyar (Sri Devi and Bhu Devi). The two sages Markandeya and Bhrigu also appear with folded hands. He appears in sitting posture in the first stage of the Ashtanga Vimana and in reclining posture in the stage still above – thus Perumal graces devotees in three postures – standing, sitting and reclining. The place is named Vedapuri as the sound of Vedas is always heard here.

Opposite the Sitting Perumal, there is a small hole called Pillai Thondu – Thondu means way in Tamil. Women seeking child boon pass through this hole to realize their wish. On the roof of the wooden Mandapa opposite the Reclining Perumal, all the 12 zodiac signs are sculpted so realistically. The temple is built with lime mortar mixed with palm sugar – Karuppatti in Tamil. Around the Sitting Perumal is the prakara called Yanai Thondu (broad elephant path) and a small path called Poonai Thondu (narrow cat path) around reclining Perumal.

The Rajagopalaswamy, the bronze processional deity appears along with goddess Andal and Garuda in the main sanctum. Also there are bronze icons of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman found in this sanctum. A small and cute Garuda idol is located before the main sanctum. Also there are flagstaff and Balipeeta before the sanctum. There are separate shrines for goddesses Vedhavalli and Bhuvanavalli in the circumambulatory path. The circumambulatory path also has separate shrines for Lord Narasimha and Visvakshena.

The stucco images of both the goddesses appear seated. Vaishnava saint Kulasekara Azhvar (stucco image) is enshrined in a separate shrine in the northern prakara with separate flagstaff and Balipeeta before the sanctum. The sanctums of two Vaishnava Acharyas Ramanuja and Manavala Mamunigal are located in two separate Mandapams. This elaborately decorated structure exhibits typical of the Nayaka architectural style with exquisitely carved composite pillars. Sthala Vriksham is Jack tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus). Theertham of this temple are Tamirabarani river, Ghatana river, Bhrigu Theertham.

Festivals

The temple celebrates the following festivals; · 10 days Brahmotsavam in Chithirai (April-May) · Procession of Azhvaar in Pushpa Pallakku in Thai · Theppotsavam in Masi (February-March) · Pre event practice session of Kaisika Puranam for the Thirukkurungudi

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com