Rajagopalaswamy Palayamkottai

Rajagopalaswamy, Palayamkottai

Vaishnavite Temples - Tirunelveli District

God

Rajagopalaswamy, facing east

Goddess

Vedavalli Thaayar, Kumuthavalli Thaayar facing east along with the main deity

Other Deities

Garudan, Anjaneya, Vinayaka, Vishwaksenar, Paramapada Nadar with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi, Dasavatharam, Aadhi Varahar, Azhwars, Ramanujar, Naagar, Azhagiya Manavala Perumal with consorts

Rajagopalaswamy Palayamkottai is a large east-facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. A large space is in front of the temple with a mandapam in front of the Rajagopuram. The outer prakaram is beautiful and filled with trees providing a peaceful setting in this busy area. A number of Naagar idols are installed under a tree here. Garuda facing the Lord and Anjaneya facing south is before the entrance to the inner Prakaram. The inner Prakaram is entered through a 3 tiered Gopuram. This Prakaram is covered and houses all the shrines and the Sanctum Sanctorum of the lord. The Sanctum Sanctorum here is very large matching the size of the large main deity and his consorts. The lord here is in sitting posture. Above this, in the next level of the sanctum accessible through steps from outside the inner Prakaram is Azhagiya Manavala Perumal with his consorts in standing posture. The processional deity here is Rajagopalaswamy with Rukmini and Sathyabhama. The temple is also called Vedanarayanapuri, Shenbagaranya Kshetram, and Thirumangai Nagar.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Rajagopala Theertham (Kuttathurai area of Tamiraparani River)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Shenbagam (Michelia champaka)

History

Rajagopalaswamy Palayamkottai is an ancient temple and the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum are filled with inscriptions. From these, it has been established that the temple goes back to the Pandya period. Rajaraja Chola I has done several services to this temple. A Pandya king called Maravallaban has contributed to the creation of a sanctum for Rajagopalaswamy as per a literary work called Thothathri Manmiyam. The old names of this place are Srivallabha Mangalam and Vallabha Vinnagar.

Legend

In the ancient days, a King called Ugra Pandyan who ruled from a place called Manarpadaiveedu south of Tamiraparani had a son called Seevalan. Seevalan was craving for children and he prayed to the Lord taking up a Padayatra. On the advice of Sage Kanva he retrieved an idol of Gopalaswamy, believed to have been worshiped by Arjuna, from the banks of River Ganga and install it in a place where Garuda will circle in the sky and where Vedanarayana had a temple. After doing this Seevalan was blessed with two children.

Directions

Rajagopalaswamy Palayamkottai is in the center of Palayamkottai part of Tirunelveli and is easily accessible from all sides. The temple has sufficient parking on the campus through a gate in the south.

Stay and Food

Tirunelveli has several hotels and restaurants.

Vaishnavite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples