Azhagiya Mannar Rajagopalaswamy Temple

Overview

Azhagiya Mannar Rajagopalaswamy Temple - Located on the Tamaraibarani banks in the Shenbagaranya Kshetram in Palayamkottai, 4kms East of Tirunelveli Junction is the East facing Azhagiya Mannar Rajagopalaswamy temple, one that dates back to the Pandya period. This temple is 500-1000 years old. This Vaikanasa Agamam temple serves as a good example of following the processes laid down in the scriptures.

About the temple

Mana Vallabha Pandyan is believed to have constructed the temple and big walls surrounding the 2.5acre temple. The temple is a blend of Tamil architecture and Mathura Krishna temple designs. This place was earlier called Thirumangai Nagar. The temple is referred to as a ‘Thuvi Sthalam’- with the two tier structure below the Ashtanga Vimanam (similar to Thiru Koshtiyur/Uthira Merur/Koodal Azhagar) - the Varna Kala (idol) Veda Narayanan seen in a Grand sitting posture with four hands flanked by Veda Valli and Kumudavalli Thaayar. With one hand, Veda Narayanan seems to be inviting the devotees to come to him, with the other he is seen blessing those who come to offer their prayers. He is seen with a Conch and Chakra in his other two hands. There is no abhishekam for this Varna Kala Moolavar. On the tower, He graces as Azhagia Mannar Rajagopalaswami with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Also, in the Sannidhi are Brigu and Markandeya Rishis, who undertook penance at this place and had darshan of Veda Narayanan. Urvashi and Thilothama idols are also seen inside the Sannidhi alongside Veda Narayanan. There are shrines for Shenbaga Vinayaka, Dasavathara of Sri Vishnu, 12 celebrated Alwars, Paramapathanathar and Anjaneya in the temple. Inside the Maha Mandapam on the walls, one finds exquisite mooligai paintings sketching the Ramayana story. Inside this mandapam, one sees fish shaped sculptures on most of the pillars, another indication of the construction of the temple during the Pandya rule.

Legend and stories

The demons were giving lot of troubles to Indira, the king of Devas. Once, when Arjuna went to Indira’s kingdom, Indira told him that there were 3 crore demons in a place called Thoyamapuram situated in the midst of the ocean and that they were harassing the Devas. He asked Arjuna to defeat and kill them and free him and his subjects from their terror. Arjuna went to the island and challenged them for a war. It was not that easy to fight them as every killed demon came back alive. A voice from the space told Arjuna that he could conquer them only if the demons mocked at him.

Arjuna pretended as if he was retreating. The demons mocked at him. Arjuna immediately applied his Pasupatha weapon gifted by Lord Shiva and destroyed them wholesale. Pleased Indira gifted the Gopalawami idol which he was worshipping. Few days later, Lord Kanna appeared in the dream of Arjuna and asked him to leave the idol in which Arjuna did. The Pandya king Sripathy, while bathing in, got the idol, brought it to this place, installed and built this temple and named the Lord Azhagia Rajagopalan.

According to another legend, One Vishnu Priyan was the priest of the temple. His wife delivered only female children successively. The priest prayed for a male child to succeed him in the service of the Lord. As the next delivery also was of a female child, irate priest threw the Arti plate on the Lord as He did not respond to his prayer and this caused a small injury on the nose of the Lord. When he returned home, he found that the female child was a male one. Trembling with fear, the priest returned to the temple and fell at the feet of the Lord and begged His pardon. The Lord appeared before him as Gopalaswami with His consorts Bama and Rukmini and came to be praised as Azhagia Mannar.

Festivals

Brahmmotsavam in Panguni – March-April, Garudaseva on Purattasi Saturdays (September-October) and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage talks, for child boon and progress in education.

How to Reach Mannar Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Palayamkottai

The nearest airport is in Madurai Airport. The nearest railway station is Palayamkottai Railway Station. The temple is a kilometer far from the Palayamkottai bus stand. People from Tirunelveli should alight at the Palayamkottai market bus stop. Autos are available from here.

Temple Address

Azhagiya Mannar Rajagopalaswamy Temple,
Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli district,
Tamil Nadu, India.