- Vishnu
Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple
- Mannarkoil,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located at Mannarkovil, a village near Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli district, India. There is one temple with an Ashtanga Vimana.
About The Temple
Kulasekhara Azhwar, born as the son of Chera king Dhida Viradha, was a staunch Vishnu devotee who visits many places to worship his Lord. When he came to this place, Mannarkoil, he had the darshan of Lord Vedanarayana as Aranganatha. Lured by the darshan, he did not want to leave place, stayed here and reached the Lotus Feet of Lord in this place. Vibishana too worshipped Lord Vedanarayana here.
The temple is situated in between the Tambirabarani river in south and Kadana river in north where the melodious Veda sounds echo. Lord is made of a sudha of herbals. He blesses the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing posture. 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 to the Sitting Perumal, there is a small hole called Pillai Thondu – Thondu means way in Tamil. Women seeking child boon pass through this hole. On the roof of the wooden Mandap opposite to 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. Honouring Kulasekhara Azhwar, he has his own shrine with a flag post-Kodimaram in the outer prakara of the temple
About The deity
The presiding deity is made of Sudha model containing all herbals. Saint Kulasekhara Azhwar attained salvation in this place
Legend and Stories
The present temple region was once dense with Jack trees. Sages Brigu and Markandeya visited many Perumal temples and came to this place for penance. Pleased with their penance, Lord Perumal granted darshan. The sages wished that Perumal should be equally merciful to all devotees visiting this place and bless them with family happiness and prosperity. Responding to their wishes Perumal consented to stay here as Lord Veda Narayana. Later, Chera, Chola and Pandya kings improved the temple.
Festivals
The temple celebrates two main festivals for 10 days in Chithirai (April-May) and Masi (February-March).
Significance
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.
How To Reach Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple, Mannarkoil
Airport
The nearest airport is Madurai.
Railways
The nearest railway station is Ambasamudram.
Road
Mannarkoil is 42 km far from Tirunelveli, 37 km from Tenkasi and 6 km from Ambasamudram. Mini buses and autos are available from Ambasamudram. Those travelling by buses from Tirunelveli and Ambasamudram bound to Tenkasi should get down at the Mannarkoil Vilakku stop and walk a KM to reach the temple.
Temple Address
Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple,
Mannarkoil, Tirunelveli district.
Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 627413.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Fame
- Freedom from diseases
- Wealth
- Courage
- Relief from adverse effects from bad planetary aspects
- Relief from bondage
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m