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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.
About The Temple
The famous Vishnu temple at Mannargudi dedicated to Sri Rajagopalaswami
was built by the Chola king Kulottunga I (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.
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 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 Deities
The sanctum of this vast temple enshrines a 7 feet high image of
Vaasudeva 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 ones lap, would bless 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.
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.
Worship Services And Festivals
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.
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.
Accommodation is available at the dharmashalas in Mannargudi or at the economy class hotels, lodges and devasthanam cottages in Thanjavur.