About The Temple
The famous Vishnu temple at Mannargudi dedicated to Sri Rajagopalaswami was built by the Chola king Kulottunga (1070-1120 AD). The temple is situated over an area of 6 acres of land that commands an imposing view and provides accommodation for thousands of devotees. After the Chola kings, the Nayak kings of Tanjore took interest in the renovation of temples built earlier and as a result, the temple at Mannargudi was improved with many Gopurams and outer Prakarams.
Bhramotsavam in Pankuni (March -April), Float Festival in Aani (June-July), And Aadi Pooram During July-August Mannargudi is a place of religious antiquity and legendary importance. In ancient times, Mannargudi was known by many names namely, Senbagaranyam, Vasudevapuri, Dakshina Dwaraka, Vanduvarapati, and Swayambhu Sthalam, each name having a religious significance.
Temple Architecture
This is a massive temple with as many as seven Prakarams or circumambulatory paths surrounding the central sanctum. A 154 feet high RajaGopuram adorns the entrance to the outermost prakaram. There are several beautiful pillared halls in the temple - such as the Thousand-pillared hall, the Vallala Maharaja Mandapam, the Yaanai Vaahana Mandapam, Garudavaahana Mandapam, Vennaithaazhi Mandapam, and Punnai Vaahana Mandapam. The Shrine to Garuda on top of a 50 feet high monolithic pillar in front of the temple deserves mention. The saying 'Mannaargudi Madhil Azhagu' (the walls of the temple of Mannargudi are of great beauty) in Tamil, testifies to the grandeur of this temple.
Several teerthas (temple tanks) adorn this shrine. The Haridra Nadhi tank is located near the temple, and popular belief has it, that a river was transformed into a big tank, and that Rajagopala performed the famed Rasa Leela in the tank.
The sanctum of this vast temple enshrines a 7 feet high image of Vasudeva with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoodevi on either side. Sri Rajagopalaswami is the processional deity with a commanding appearance standing in front of the cow, with Rukmini and Satyabhama. This idol is considered to be the most handsome and attractive among the images of Vishnu.
There is another idol of Lord Krishna as a boy lying on the serpent Adisesha, with his right toe in the mouth, known as "Santana Rajagopalan". This image is made of bronze and the workmanship is super-excellent. The worship of Santana Rajagopalan has got a special significance. Popular belief has it that cradling the image of Santanagopalakrishna in one's lap would bless a barren couple with progeny.
There is a shrine of Goddess Senbagavalli Tayar and on her sides are the shrines of Rajanayaki on the right and Dwaranayaki on the left. She has four arms. This shrine has separate Prakarams.
There are small shrines in the temple dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Garudalwar, etc. The Garuda Stambha placed in front of the Lord's shrine is 54 feet high and is made of a -single stone.
How to recount the beauty of the Lord at the Sanctum sanctorum slightly leaning towards the cow, with a single garment, an earring and a dangling kundala, holding in he right hand the golden rod with a whip having three corrugated dents, with the left hand fixed and resting on the shoulder of Sri Satya Bhama, standing enchantingly in a Tribhanga posture and most handsome to behold, Sri Vidya Rajagopala is captivatingly alluring, and the Mulavar Para Vasudevaconsorted by Sri Devi and Bhudevi is majestic to look at. In the standing posture, Mulavar, holding conch, discus, and mace, decorated with a complete set of silver Kavacha all over, dispels all our taints as also extends grace and benediction. Not only does He confer grace and merit to those who make a beeline to the shrine but anxious to bestow benefits to those who keep aside or could not otherwise visit the temple, He goes about the ceremonial procession along the streets. The beauty and bounty of Sri Vidya Rajagopala are unparalleled.
Oh, the charm of the left hand fixed and folded along the shoulder of Sri Satyabhama. Oh, the spell of the right hand holding the goldenrod with a whip having three distinct curling dents! Oh, the feast to the eyes (of the view of the Lord) is being attended by Rukmini on the right and Satyabhama on the left representing the pleasures and fortunes of this, as also the next birth!
While recollected in tranquil moments Sri Sengamala Thayar and Hemabja Nayaki Thayar with bouquets in their hands become the sweet mango, the revivifying force of energy of humanity, for they confer bliss and grace with their ambrosial form of compassionate eyes and fulfill the fruition of the ever-cherished aspirations of mankind!
The Vahanams In The Temple
There are many Vahanams in the temple of which Panchamukha Hanuman (Hanuman with five faces) is worth mentioning. Garuda Vahanam and Horse Vahanam are plated with gold and are said to have been donated by a European officer who was cured of his colic on offering worship to the Lord.
Seven worship services are offered during the course of a day, and this temple attracts pilgrims throughout the year. The annual festival (Bhramotsavam) is celebrated in the month of Pankuni (March 15-April 15) for a period of 18 days when the deities are taken out in procession on decorated mounts. The float festival occurs in the month of Aani (June 15 - July 15). Aadi Pooram celebrated between July 15 and August 15 is another of the important festivals here.
HOW TO GET THERE
Rail: The nearest railway station of Nidamangalam is at a distance of 12-km and Thanjavur is at a distance of 34-km.
Road: Mannargudi is well connected by road to Thanjavur, Kumbhakonam, Tiruvarur, and other towns in the erstwhile Thanjavur district.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the dharma shala in Mannargudi or at the economy class hotels, lodges, and devasthanam cottages in Thanjavur.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the dharma shala in Mannargudi or at the economy class hotels, lodges, and devasthanam cottages in Thanjavur.
The temple has seven ceremonial worships daily as laid down hereunder
| . | Time Name of the worship | Offering |
| 1. | 7.00 a.m. Visuarupa | Milk |
| 2. | 8.00 a.m. Thiruvanandal | Curd rice |
| 3. | 9.30 a.m. Kalaisandhi | Pongal |
| 4. | 11.30 a.m. Ucchi kalam | Paayasam,dhal, Vadai, kari amudhu, thenkuzhal. |
| 5. | 5.00 p.m. Nithyanusandanam | Dosai |
| 6. | 8.00 p.m. Eraakkalam | Samba Adisil |
| 7. | 9.00 p.m. Aradhajaamam | Sarkarai Pongal,Modhakam,Milk, Thaambhulam. |
Timings for Darshan
Morning 5.30 a.m. to 12.30 noonEvening 4.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Address
Arulmigu Rajagopalaswamy Temple,
Mannargudi-614 001.Tiruvarur District.
Tamil Nadu. India.
Phone:04367-222276