Sri Gopala Krishna Perumal / Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple, Thirukkavalambadi, Mangaimadam, Thirunangur, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to Sri Gopala Krishna Perumal at Thirukkavalambadi, Mangaimadam, a part of Thirunangur, was a part of the Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples around Sirkazhi visit on 1^st & 2^nd July 2023. This Sri Gopala Krishna Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam and 11 temples of Thirunangur, under the Administrative control of – Thirunangur Ezhu Koil adheenam- திருநாங்கூர் ஏழு கோயில் ஆதீனம். This temple is also called Dakshina Dwaraka / Keezhachattanathapuram / Kannan Koil / Thirunangur Tirupati Mangalasasanam and was built by Thirumangai Alwar. In that, Thirumangai Alwar mentions this temple as Kavalampadi Temple. 

படவர உச்சி தன்மேல பாய்ந்து பல் நடங்கள் செய்து

மடவரல் மங்கை தன்னை மார்வகத்து இருத்தினானே!

தடவரை தங்கு மாடத் தகு புகழ் நாங்கை மேய

கடவுளே! காவளந்தண்பாடியாய் களைகண் நீயே.

….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் - பெரிய திருமொழி 4-6-5

Moolavar  : Sri Gopala Krishna Perumal / Rajagopalan

Thayar     : Sri Madavaral mangai / Sengamala nachiar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch. The temple tank is in front of the temple. The balipeedam and Garudan sannadhi are under a metacolur sheet mandapam. Moolavar is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The Utsavars are Gopala Krishna with Satyabama and Rukmani.  There is no provision for koshtam, and hence there are no koshta images. Alwars are in the ardha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam / Maha mandapam. The ardha mandapam is of Vavval Nethi mandapam and may have been built during the Maratha period. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The bhitti starts with vedika. The Pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam mandi, palakai amd pothyal. The prastaram consists of Valapi, kapotam, and Bhumidesam. An ekatala vesara vimanam is on the bhumidesam and the vimanam is valled as Swayambhu Vimanam. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s avatars are on the greeva koshtam. All the Mandapas are of vavvalnethi type, built during the Maratha period.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belong to the 07^th to 08^th century, and the same was reconstructed during the Chozha period and further expanded during the Vijayanagaras and Marathas periods.

The temple is being managed by the Thirunangur 7 temples Adheenam.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, the 11 temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. After Datchayini jumped into Dakshan’s Yaga Kunda. Shiva took the body of Datchayini and danced furiously. Each time the jada mudi touches the ground, 11 forms of Shiva appear. The Celestial deities were afraid that if Shiva’s dance continued, the entire creation would cease. So they requested Maha Vishnu to stop Shiva’s dance. On seeing Maha Vishnu, Shiva became normal and requested Maha Vishnu to appear in 11 different forms at this place, Thirunangur.  Maha Vishnu is also called “Thamaraikannudiyabiran - the one with lotus eyes”.

As per the legend, once Sathyabama expressed her wish to have a parijatha flower. Krishna went in search of Parijatha flowers and couldn’t find any. So he did penance on Shiva to seek his help in identifying the flower. Shiva revealed this place with abundant parijatha flowers. Krishna, along with his consorts Bama and Rukmani, stayed here, hence, this place is considered as Southern Dwaraka.

Kavalam means a dense flower forest, a small quantity of food, etc. Krishna accepts whatever is offered by the devotees. Hence, this place is called Kavalampadi. ( It was said that there is no madapalli to cook naivedyam to the deity of this temple ).

Rudra chopped the 5^th head of Brahma and got rid of Brahmahathi dosham by worshiping Krishna in this temple.

As per another legend, Vishvaksena was the son of Kundalai and Varuna, the rain god. Kundalai was asked to disturb the penance of Dhurvasa by Indra. Angered Dhurvasa cursed Kundalai to be born as a hunter's daughter. Varuna loved her and had the son of Vishvaksena and became the head of Nithyasuri through his penance and lived in Paramapada. Visvaksena, had the darshan of Narayana as Krsihna of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas conducted, as per Pancharathra Agama, special poojas are conducted on Thirumangai Alwar’s Mangalasasana Utsavam (New Moon Day in the month of Thai- Thirumangai Alwar Utsavar will be brought from Thiruvali – Thirunagari) and Garuda seva in the Tamil month Thai.

During Garuda seva, all the 11 temple’s Utsavars on Garuda vahanam and Thirumangai Alwar with his consort Kumudavalli Nachiyar, on Hamsa Vahanam are taken to Sri Narayana Perumal’s temple, also called as Manimaada Koil and respective temple’s Pasuram will be recited. After the Garuda Seva, Thirumangai Alwar, with his wife Kumudavalli Nachiar, will be taken to all the 11 Divya Desam temples of Thirunangur. The 11 Diva Desams are 1. Sri Narayana Perumal (Manimaadakkoil), 2. Sri Kudamaadu Koothar (Arimeya Vinnagaram), 3. Sri Semponarangar (Semponsei Koil), 4. Sri Pallikonda Perumaal (Thiruttetriambalam), 5. Sri Annan Perumaal (Thiruvellakkulam), 6. Sri Purushothama Perumaal (Vanpurusothamam),  7. Sri Varadarajan (Thirumanikoodam), 8. Sri Vaikuntha Nathar (Vaikuntha Vinnagaram),  9. Sri Madhava Perumaal (Thirudevanaar thogai), 10.Sri Partha Sarathy (Thiruparthan Palli), and 11. Sri Gopalan (Thirukavalampaadi).

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs and 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number +91 4364 275 478 may be tried to contact the temple.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 3 km from the Chennai – Nagapattinam Highway, 10 km from Sirkazhi,  26 km from Mayiladuthurai, 31 km from Chidambaram, and 247 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Most of the Photos are taken from Websites, and Thanks to unknown Photographers.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---