Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur
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.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
For brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open in the mornings from 5.30 am to 12
noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 9.30 pm. After opening in the morning for
the Vishwaroopam Seva, the temple is closed for some time and reopens again at
8 am.
Pooja
Details
·
Vishwaroopam – 6 am
·
Thiruvanathal – 7 am
·
Kaalai Santhi Pooja – 9 am
·
Uchi Kalam – 12 noon
·
Thirumalai Purapadu – 6 pm
·
Sayarakshai – 7 pm
·
Irandam Kalam Pooja – 8 pm
·
Artha Jamam – 830 pm
Thaligai
Details:
·
Milk/Fruits/Pongal for
Vishwaroopam
·
Dudhyonam (Curd Rice) – 7 am
pooja
·
Tamarind rice – 9 am pooja
·
Thenkuzhal – 11 am pooja
·
Curd Rice – 7 pm
·
Samba Rice – 8 pm pooja
·
Chakkarai Pongal, Mothagam
– 9 pm pooja
Archanai
on Special occasions:
·
Poosam – Thirumanjanam for
Shengamala Thaayar
·
Shravanam – Thirumanjanam
for Perumal Utsavar
·
Every Friday – Thirumanjanam
for Utsavar Thaayar
·
Every month – Pancha
Parvatham- Perumal Utsavar and Shengamala Thaayar Purapadu
·
Thiruvadi Thirumanjanam
for Perumal Utsavar is done on special request.
Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Religious
Practices
The daily temple poojas are performed in a very
systematic and traditional manner right from Vishwaroopam at 5am, with the
temple elephant and the cow showing their devotion to the Lord. One is the
temple elephant going down on its knees to pray before Lord Raja Gopalan and
then lifting its trunk to shower water on the Lord - a beautiful sight to watch
so early in the morning. And this is possibly the only Vaishnavite temple in
Tamilnadu that opens at 5am and has the Vishwaroopam Darshan in a formal way
like it once used to be in all the temples.
Prayers
It is the staunch faith of the devotees that prayers to Lord
Rajagopala-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.
Contact
Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple,
Mannargudi – 614 001,
Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 – 4367 – 222
276
Mobile: +91 – 94433 43363
Connectivity
The temple is in the heart of Mannargudi Town. Mannargudi
is located at about 29 kms south west of Tiruvarur, 40 Kms from Thanjavur, 38 Kms
from Kumbakonam, 15 Kms from Needamangalam and 95 Kms from Trichy. There are
plenty of buses from Thanjavur and Tiruvarur to Mannargudi. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Tiruvarur and Needamangalam. Nearest Airport is located
at Trichy.