RAJAGOPALAPERUMAL TEMPLE, MANIMANGALAM, KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT- TAMILNADU Introduction
The famous Perumal temple near Manimangalam is the ancientRajagopala Perumal Temple, a significant Chola-era Vishnu temple known for its history,inscriptions, and as a ParikaraSthalam (remedial shrine) for eyesight issues, dedicated to Vishnuas Rajagopala Swamy with Sengamalavalli Thayar. Key Details about theRajagopala Perumal Temple: Deity: Rajagopala Perumal (Krishna in Dwarka) andSengamalavalli Thayar. History: A medieval Chola temple, around 1000 years old, withinscriptions from the 11th-13th centuries. Significance: Believed to help restore eyesight, a classic Parikara Sthalam. Location: Manimangalam, near Tambaram, close to theManimagalam Bus stop About the temple The Rajagopala Perumal Temple in Manimangalam, near Tambaram(about 10 km west of Tambaram), is a historic Chola-era Vishnu temple known for its ancientstone inscriptions, unique idol posture (conch in the right, discus in theleft), and being a believed Parikara Sthalam (remedial) for eye ailments, visited by Ramanuja, featuringsignificant architecture and is currently undergoing renovation. History: Built during the Chola period (around 1000 years old), withinscriptions dating back to the 11th-13th centuries, detailing grants andhistory. The earliest references to Manimangalam are in relation to abattle fought between the Western Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II and thePallava king Narasimhavarman The Rajagopala Perumalis one of three Vishnu temples in the town and was constructed by the MedievalCholas. The earliest inscriptions mentioning the temple are by Rajendra Chola Iand have been dated to 1056 CE. Rajendra Chola I refers to the temple as Kamakoti-Vinnagar andThiruvaykulam. Significance: A Parikara Sthalam for eye-sight issues; Ramanuja is believedto have visited. Architecture: Features rich Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions, a separateshrine for the Goddess Thayar (Shengamalavalli). The alcove on the outer walls of this sanctum containsbeautiful images of various forms of Vishnu. Interestingly, in most of thesesculptures, Vishnu holds the chakra in the prayoga position as though He isjust about to release it. Also seen here are many excellently wrought miniaturesculptures like Yoga"Nrisimha and Kalinga Narthana Krishna, among others. Inanother separate niche by the side of the sanctum is an image of Vira Anjaneya holdingHis right hand upraised and his left hand holding a lotus. The image of Lord isutterly fascinating and his posture follows the episode from the legendarystories associated with the temples. The architectural craftsmanship of the ancient artists isrevealed from the wonderful carvings and artistic trappings that adorn thetemple and the images in temple. In front of the main sanctum there is erected a mandapa with pillars of the Chola agewhich indicates that this mandapa as also many of the other structures in thistemple-complex were constructed in the reign of the Imperial Chola kings ofTanjavur (9th-13th centuries A.D.), who ruled over this area and gave numerousgrants for the maintenance of this temple. This temple has two prakaras, the inner covered one,supported by numerous pillars running around the main sanctum. The shrines forGoddess Lakshmi, worshipped here as Senkamalavalli Thayar and Andal are seen inthe outer prakara. Near this temple is another ancient Vishnu shrine forVaikunthanatha which is as old as the Rajagopala Perumal temple. The huge idolis seen in a seated posture with the right leg placed in front and left legbent and placed on the pedestal. The inscriptions record the different names ofRajagopala Perumal across centuries. The names Chaturvedimangalam and Agraharaare indicative of the fact this village, like many others in this area, wasdonated by royalty to scholars learned in the Vedas and other sacred lore. The epigraphs offer an idea of the association of the kingsof dynasties with this temple. They mention the maha sabha or theadministrative unit of this village, taxes collected, fines, land assessment,writing of sale deeds, standard weights and measures and many other importantdetails from times bygone. Chief Deity: Lord Vishnu (Rajagopalaswamy) in a standing posture, with Shangu (conch) in the right and Chakra (discus) in the lefthand. The image of Sri Rajagopala Perumal temple is the chiefattraction of the temple. The presiding deity of the larger temple inManimangalam is Sri Rajagopala Perumal, who is enshrined in the main sanctumfacing east. The imposing image is immensely captivating and is seen in astanding posture. The deity isfound to be holding the conch (sankha) and discus (chakra) in His upper hands,with His lower right hand in abhaya hasta and lower left hand resting on a mace(gada), flanked by Ubhay Nachiyar (Sri Devi and Bhu Devi). A very unusual and unique aspect of the image of the Lordhere is that He holds the Sudarsana chakra or discus in His left hand and thesankha or conch in His right hand. In almost all theother temples for Vishnu, this deity holds His chakra in His right hand and theconch in His left hand. The processional deity(utsava murti) of four-armed Vishnu is in the usual pose of having the chakra in His right hand andsankha in His left, flanked by His two consorts. This is a very simple temple with a vimana . Perumal is in asitting posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The mandapam with sabha wasestablished in 1935 with only photos of Krishna. The unique feature of thisSabha has two unsymmetrical Lion pillars of the Pallava Period. Rajagopalaswamy temple inManimangalam Sub deities Vinayagar sannidhi is on the left side of the entrance. Wecould find 2 pillars with Grantha inscriptions. As per the adhistanam andVirudha Kumudam, the temple may belong to the Chozha period. Daily poojas As in Vishnu temples. Festival A temple that once seems to have thrived with rich gifts fromthe then rulers and the devotees alike is now bereft of funds so much so thatthe festivals have been limited to just one - Garuda Seva in Puratasi. Thetemple does not have a gopuram. Temple timings Open ·at 6 AM Closes10:30 am · Reopens at 5 pm again closes at 8 PM Inscriptions The inscriptions stamped over the temple walls emphasized thetraditional importance of the Sri Rajagopala Perumal Temple.. The place Manimangalam was associated with thefortunes of many of the ruling dynasties of ancient Tamil Nadu. The inscriptionsstamped on the temple walls relate to many facts about the temple Current Status: The temple was under renovation and restoration as of late2025/early 2026. Almost allrenovation works completed now. Renovations Temples in Tamil Nadu that once upon a time flourished withexpansive gifts from the rulers of those days have deteriorated and today manyof them are renovated one by one by the Government of Tamilnadu. One such is the 1000year old Rajagopalaswamy temple inManimangalam housed on a 1 ¼ acre area, about 12kms West of Tambaram, a templewhose construction dates back to the Chola period and one that is abound withrich stone inscriptions providing us with insights into the glory of thistemple. Moolavar Lord Rajagopalaswamy is seen in a standing posturewith a Conch Shell in his right hand and a discus in his left hand. This is also a temple that Ramanujais believed to have visited. 1000 year oldinscriptions The temple is abound with inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskritearliest of which dates back to the 11th Century AD and continued to findupdates of contribution to the temple with the passing of each century…..Thereare Several Inscriptions relating to 12Century AD also. Inscriptions also indicate gifts of several lamps by devoteesand also gift of gold tosupport the continuous burning of the lamps. Priest Contact Number JayaraBhattar @ 88707 25799 How to reach The temple is about 12kms from Tambaram on the Mudichur roadand 5kms from Vandalur on the Sriperambudur highway. One can take the Tambaram-Sriperambudur bus (route numbers: 55N, 80, 583C, 583D) to reach the temple Address: Rajagopala Perumal temple, SH 110, Manimangalam, Tamil Nadu601301 Information compiledfrom different websites and posted by R.Gopalakrishnan 20-1-2026 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/83204733.1431242.1768913523519%40mail.yahoo.com.
