Palayamkottai Mannar Rajagopalaswamy Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Palayamkottai Mannar Rajagopalaswamy Temple – Thirunelveli

Palayamkottai, Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627002

Phone: +91 462 257 4949 / 257 2097

Moolavar

Rajagopalaswamy and Vedanarayana Perumal

Amman

Vedavalli and Kumudavalli.

Introduction

• Location: Palayamkottai, near Thirunelveli town, Tamil Nadu, on the banks of the Tamirabarani River.
• Deities: Worshipped as Rajagopalaswamy and Vedanarayana Perumal.
• Other names: Formerly called Thirumangai Nagar, also referred to as Shenbagaranya Kshetram.
• Historical Significance: Dates back to the Pandya period, with daily rituals and poojas conducted per Aagama Sastras.

Puranic Significance:

• Name Origin: The area was known as Sri Vallabha Mangalam during the Pandya rule and later as Shenbaga Aranyam.
• Temple Construction: The temple is believed to be 1000–2000 years old, with contributions from Mana Vallabha Pandyan.
• Important Stories:
  • Priest’s Prayer: A priest’s prayer for a male child was answered by Lord Rajagopalaswamy transforming his female child into a male child, resulting in the deity’s name Azhagiya Mannar Rajagopalaswamy.
  • Indra and Arjuna: Indra gave the Gopalaswamy idol to Arjuna for his bravery in defeating demons.
  • Vedanarayana: Lord Vishnu is revered as Vedanarayanan after helping Brahma recover the Vedic Scriptures from the Asuras.

Beliefs:

• Devotees pray for:
  • Good education of children.
  • Child boon and removal of marriage obstacles.
  • Progress in education and removal of marriage-related hurdles.
• Offerings: Devotees offer Vastras and Thirumanjanam (holy bathing) to thank the Lord.

Special Features:

• Deities:
  • Rajagopalaswamy (Azhagiya Mannar) is in a standing posture with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
  • Vedanarayana: Worshipped in a sitting posture with Veda Valli and Kumudavalli on either side.
  • No Abishekam for the Varna Kala Moolavar idol.
  • Garuda and Hanuman have separate shrines.
• Temple Structure:
  • Built with Tamil architecture blended with Mathura Sri Krishna temple style.
  • Fish-shaped sculptures on the pillars indicating the Pandya period.
  • Maha Mandapam with Ramayana sketches on the walls.
  • 50-feet high Kodi Maram and 5-tier Raja Gopuram visible from Thirunelveli Bye Pass road.
  • Separate shrines for:
    • Shenbaga Vinayaka.
    • Dasavathara of Sri Vishnu.
    • 12 celebrated Alwars.
    • Paramapatha Nathar.
    • Lakshminarayana.
    • Lord Aadi Varaha and his consort Bhudevi.

Festivals:

• Panguni Brahmotsavam.
• Vasantha Panchami (December/January).
• Adhyana Utsavams (December/January).
• Thiruppalli Ezhuchi recital during Margazhi.
• Vaikunda Ekadasi (December-January).
• Garuda Jayanthi (Aadi).

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/05/mannar-rajagopalaswamy-temple-Palayamkottai.html

Century/Period

1000 -2000 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Palayamkottai

Nearest Railway Station

Thirunelveli

Nearest Airport

Madurai

Location on Map

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