This shrine dedicated to the LordThis shrine dedicated to the Lord RajagopalaRajagopala, is a vast temple complex , is a vast temple complex with a 1000 year old history. Referredwith a 1000 year old history. Referred to as to as Dakshina DwarakaDakshina Dwaraka and as and as ChampakaranyamChampakaranyam, this temple is , this temple is located in the town of Mannargudi inlocated in the town of Mannargudi in Tanjavur district of Tamilnadu Tanjavur district of Tamilnadu This is a massive temple with a 154This is a massive temple with a 154 feet high feet high Rajagopuram(see picture)Rajagopuram(see picture) thatthat adorns the entrance to the adorns the entrance to the outermost corridor(praharam). Thisoutermost corridor(praharam). This great temple is located on 24 acresgreat temple is located on 24 acres and was built by Rajathi Raja Cholanand was built by Rajathi Raja Cholan (1018-1054 AD) and because of this,(1018-1054 AD) and because of this, this temple is also called with thethis temple is also called with the name “Rajathi Raja Vinnagaram.name “Rajathi Raja Vinnagaram.

This massive temple has asThis massive temple has as many as seven many as seven prakaramsprakarams or circumambulatory pathsor circumambulatory paths surrounding the central surrounding the central sanctum.sanctum.There are several beautifulThere are several beautiful pillared halls in the templepillared halls in the templeThe picture shows one The picture shows one such corridor running through such corridor running through

thethe hall. It is referred to as ‘Noothu hall. It is referred to as ‘Noothu kaal mandapam’ .And the nextkaal mandapam’ .And the next picture is a view of the pillaredpicture is a view of the pillared hall.hall.

These are some of the These are some of the beautiful stone carvings beautiful stone carvings found in the pillars of the found in the pillars of the temple. Generally they are temple. Generally they are various forms of the “Yali”, various forms of the “Yali”, the mythical protector of the mythical protector of the temples. They have the temples. They have catlike graceful body, but catlike graceful body, but the head of a lion with the head of a lion with tusks of an elephant and tusks of an elephant and tail of a serpent Apart from tail of a serpent Apart from that small carvings are that small carvings are also found along side also found along side which is a treat to the which is a treat to the eyes. They are placed on eyes. They are placed on the sides and in the the sides and in the bottom of the pillars.bottom of the pillars.

All the temples have two or more sets All the temples have two or more sets of Deities. One that is placed in the of Deities. One that is placed in the ‘sanctum sanctum’ is called the ‘sanctum sanctum’ is called the ‘moolavar’ and the one that is ‘moolavar’ and the one that is decorated in various forms, that will decorated in various forms, that will be taken out in a procession, around be taken out in a procession, around the town is called the ‘uthsavar’. the town is called the ‘uthsavar’. The moolavar of this temple is The moolavar of this temple is called, Para Vasu Devar. And the called, Para Vasu Devar. And the uthsavar as Sri RajaGopal. Here the uthsavar as Sri RajaGopal. Here the Lord is in the form of shepherd .He Lord is in the form of shepherd .He carries the ‘stick’ (kol) in one hand carries the ‘stick’ (kol) in one hand and the whip on the other. He is also and the whip on the other. He is also adorned with a single piece dress, adorned with a single piece dress, referred to as ‘eka vasthram’. All the referred to as ‘eka vasthram’. All the jwelery you see in the picture is jwelery you see in the picture is pure gold and precious stones like pure gold and precious stones like ruby, emerald, and diamond.The ruby, emerald, and diamond.The head gear you see here is solid gold head gear you see here is solid gold studded with diamonds, a special studded with diamonds, a special crown called ‘vairamudi’.crown called ‘vairamudi’.

Festivals are conducted throughout theFestivals are conducted throughout the year for all seasons. In month of March,year for all seasons. In month of March, April the biggest Utsavam, theApril the biggest Utsavam, the Brahmotsavam is celebrated in a very Brahmotsavam is celebrated in a very grand manner for 18days. On new moongrand manner for 18days. On new moon day the lord will be carried in a goldenday the lord will be carried in a golden ‘ ‘falcon’, the carrier of the Lord. It is onefalcon’, the carrier of the Lord. It is one of the most sought after Festival. of the most sought after Festival. The devotees from all over the near byThe devotees from all over the near by villages and town assemble in Mannargudivillages and town assemble in Mannargudion that day.And these pictures are from on that day.And these pictures are from the festival of this year, 2008 April.The the festival of this year, 2008 April.The falcon (Garuda) is made of gold and thefalcon (Garuda) is made of gold and the deity is also adorned with precious stonedeity is also adorned with precious stone jewellery.jewellery.

I wouldn’t be doing full justice I wouldn’t be doing full justice if I don’t make a mention of if I don’t make a mention of the temple elephant, the temple elephant, Chenga. She is a baby, 6 Chenga. She is a baby, 6 years, and very years, and very spontaneous and like spontaneous and like anyother kid of six, very anyother kid of six, very naughty too. Highly naughty too. Highly deciplined though she deciplined though she respects her master and respects her master and plays with all, especially the plays with all, especially the children. Have you seen an children. Have you seen an elephant smile, well elephant smile, well Chenga does..see for Chenga does..see for yourself in the pictures.yourself in the pictures.