Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple/ Rajagopalaswami Thirukkovil / ராஜகோபால சுவாமி திருக்கோவில், Valayapettai Agraharam, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Rajagopala Swamy Swamy Temple was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”, on the 14^th of July 2024.

Moolavar  : Sri Rajagopala Swamy

Thayar     : Sri Sengakamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east and has a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Chakra, Sri Rajagopala Swamy with Bama Rukmani, Garudan, and Krishna are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthamabam, and Garudan are in front of the temple after Rajagopuram. Stucco images of the Naradar and Thumburu are on the Rajagopuram inside wall. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sannidhi for Srinivasa Perumal is on the right with Sridevi and Bhudevi, facing South.

Thani Koil Nachiyar is Sri Sengamalavalli Thayar, which is in a separate sannidhi facing North. Nagars with Thulasimadam are in the pra haram.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex was constructed like a Thirikooda style of Moolavar Rajagopala Swamy, Srinivasa Perumal, and Thayar with a common ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on upanam ( only kapotam is Visible), Adhistanam with jagathy, Pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai. The Pilasters are Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and Vettu pothyal. The Prastaram consists of plain valapi, Kapotam with Nasikudus. The sanctum sanctorum was constructed with stone from adhistanam to Prastaram. The Vimanam is of eka tala Veasara style with bricks. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various postures are in the Greeva kostam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was constructed during 16^th to 17^th Century Vijayanagara Nayaka period.

Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on, 26^th January 2004, and 19^th June 2015.  

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Saturdays, Margazhi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Garuda Seva akshaya Thirithi day, Krishna Jayanthi, Mahamaham festival days, etc.

This Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple is one of the 5 Vishnu Temples, that participates in the Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. In addition to the 5 Maha Vishnu temples, 12 Shiva temples of Kumbakonam also join in the Mahamaham festival.

Shiva Temples are…

01. Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

02. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,

03. Someswarar Temple,

04. Nageswaraswamy Temple,

05. Kalahasteeswarar Temple,

06. Gauthameswarar Temple,

07. Kodeeswarar Temple,

08. Amirthakadeswarar Temple,

09. Banapuriswarar Temple,

10. Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12. EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…

01. Sarngapani Temple,

02. Chakrapani Temple, 

03. Ramaswamy Temple,

04. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and

05. Varaha Perumal Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This Sri Rajagopala Swamy Temple is in Valayapettai Agraharam, a part of Kumbakonam City.

This temple is about 2 KM from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 2.5 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 34.2 KM from Mayiladuthurai, and 38 KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sri Koorathalwar Temple - near this temple on the same street

Sri Ramanujar Temple --near this temple on the same street

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---