Mannarkovil - Ambasamudhram

Name of the temple:  Raja gopalaswamy kula sekara alwar thiru kovil

Location: Mannar kovil/Ambasamudram 

Archagar name: Narasimma gopaalan 

Contact number: 04634252874

emple timings:  Morning 7:00 am to 10:00 am 

Evening 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Moolavar name: Veda Narayana Perumal 

Utsavar: Rajagopalaswamy with Garudar

Thaayaar: Vedavalli thaayaar, Bhuvana valli thaayaar

Address: Mannarkovil, Ambasamudram 

Tirunelveli district 

There is nothing equivalent to our temples in proclaiming the pride, culture and heritage of our Indian nation to the world.In particular, the Vaishnava temples located in Tamil Nadu are the oldest and many temples boast the honour of being consecrated by the Alwars. A temple with so many glory was known as Vedapuri in ancient times, Rajendra Vinnakar in mediaeval times and Mannarkovil in modern times. This Vedapuri temple is known for its glory as Thiruvaranga, the shrine of Ranganathan, is surrounded by the river Cauvery on both sides, offering grace to devotees in Ananta Sayanam.Just like Thiruvaranga is surrounded by the Cauvery river, Vedapuri is a beautiful shrine surrounded by the Tamiraparani river on the south side and the Karunya river on the north side. The temple located in the middle of this temple is the reason for the beauty of this site.

During the times of Rishis:

Bhrigu and Markandeya Maharishis consecrated the Moolavar and Thayar idols in this temple. Lord Thirumal is said to have appeared here to grant grace to the devotees as a result of their penance. The idols of the main deity are made of sudhai. The main deity is Sri Vedanarayana Perumal along with his consorts Sridevi and Boodevi, along with them the idols of Maharishi Bhrigu and Markandeya can also be seen. Sri Vedanarayanar stands beneath the Ashtanga Vimana in three forms - standing, sitting and lying which is a rare sight to see. The temple consists of seven shrines.

The name of the Utsavar of this temple is Sri Rajagopalaswamy and Thayar’s  name is Sri Gotha (Sri Andal). Sri Bashirajan (Sri Garuda Alwar) is also near Utsavar. Sri Vedavalli and Sri Bhuvanavalli Thayar have separate shrines in the temple. Sri Yoga Narasimha shrine and Dasavadhara shrine are situated near Sri Vedavalli Mother Sannadi. It is noteworthy that the Paramapatha Vasal is located near the Shree Bhuvanavalli thayar’s shrine.

During the times of Alwars:

Among the twelve Alwars, Kulasekhara Alwar is said to be an important Alwar. During Barabhava the 28th year of Kaliyuga; in the month of february during the auspicious Shukla Paksha Duvadasi and Punarbhusa Nakshatra, Sri Kulasekhara who is believed to be the garland of Lord Vishnu was born to Thitaviradhan - the King of Thiruvanchikalam of Cheranadu. Later in the day he conquered the Chola and Pandya kingdoms and became the emperor.  Out of love for the Lord Sri Kulasekhara Alvar renounced his position as a King and he travelled to many Divyadesams and finally reached Vedapuri. Lord Vedhanarayanan looks like Arangananthan, Vibishana established Vedhanarayana temple during the times of SriRama and contributed a lot to the Vedhanarayana temple and attained the Lord’s feet. Sri Ramapiran, Sri Seethapirathi and the idols of Shri Letshumanan and Shri Krishna are still there today in this temple is yet another highlight. There is a separate shrine for Kulashekara alvar with kodimaram in the same row along with Vedhanarayana perumal is yet another highlight.

During the times of Kings:

Many Chola and Pandyan kings visited this temple and have given many lands as a gift to add to the temples’ glory. Chola king Rajendra contributed a lot towards temple renovations and the town was named Rajendra Vinnagar after him. Cholas, pandyas contributed to the temple . Nayaks built the outer hall. Azhagiya manavalar was born here. With the grace of Alwars, Vadhikesari Sri Azhagiya Manavala jiyar who had given a text known as ‘Paniryarirampadi’ which was an abridgement of Nalayiram Divya Prabhandham.`

About 1000 years back, in the Pandya kingdom, there were many Chathurveda Maligai’s, among those this place was known as Rajaraja Chathurvedha mangalam. This Rajaraja Chathurveda mangalam is said to be the largest in the Pandya kingdom. This Chathurvedha mangalam is a hall around which priests chant all four vedhas from all four sides and hence the name, this is like a Vedhapatashala. Manarkovil is known for this Chathurvedha mangalam.

Speciality: There are two entries visible in the temple gopuram. It is believed that entering the lower chamber door and coming via the upper chamber, blesses the devotees who seek for with children.