Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi - Lord Krishna Temple

Housed around a tremendous 33 acre area, the Rajagopala Swamy temple at Mannargudi, is all what a Vaishnavite temple should be. Legend has it that there were two sages, Gopilar and Gopralayar, who wanted to visit Lord Krishna at Dwarka. When they set out towards Dwarka, they meet sage ‘Narada’, the head of all sages. They came to know that Krishna Avatharam (one of the incarnations of Vishnu) was over and they could not visit the God there as they wanted to be. Narada consoled them to start a penance at this place. Their penance was answered and the Lord showed himself in 32 forms. The story is neatly explained as paintings in the temple. The main tower of the temple is 11 tiered at a height of 155 feet along with 24 shrines, 7 mandapams, 9 theerthams all constructed by king Kulothunga Chola I of the 11th century. The present shrine along with a 1000 pillared hall and a big compound wall was constructed by Vijayaraghava Nayak. These later additions gave a new look to the already existing majestic temple. The serenity and nature around the temple makes it an evening choice for everyone. The temple tank here is the largest temple of its type in India.