Welcome to

Palay Rajagopalaswamy Temple

Without wealth, you’ve got nothing in this world

A Few Words About Us

We live in a fast paced life nowadays. Mostly the objective is to make money. No wonder it is said in Tamil, ‘porul illarku ivvulagam illai’, meaning without wealth, you’ve got nothing in this world.

Same time, it is also said that ‘arul illarku evvulagamum illai, meaning without God’s blessings, you’ve got nothing in any worlds. Our lord Sri Azhagiya Mannar Rajagopalaswamy gives both wealth (porul) and blessings (arul) abundantly to those who comes to this temple and prays with absolute faith and devotion!

This temple, facing east with an area of 2.5 acres, is located in Palayamkottai, 3 KMs from Tirunelveli (Oxford of South India) junction; on the right-side banks of holy Tamirabharani river. Scriptures (including Thothathri Manmiyam book) claim that this temple was built by a Pandian Dynasty King Palki around 17th century

Another story is that when Ukkirapandian was ruling the southern side of Tamirabharani river, in pursuit of moksha, he passed his dynasty to his son Palathi Seevalan. But later, Palathi went for yathra so that he gets blessed with kids. Palathi was then ordered to find the statute of Lord Gopalan’s idol (which was worshipped and then left at Ganga river by Arjuna which was originally given by Lord Brahma to Arjunan). Upon finding it, with the help of Garuda Bagavan and Kanva Muni’s instructions, king did the prathishtai with that Lord Gopalan idol and built this temple in the shenbagavana area (which is the current location). Soon, the king was blessed with two sons and hence even these days people come to this temple for santhana bhaakiam.

Temple Details

Moorthigal

Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple has two towers and vimanahs. There are two circles, one inner and one outer (thirusutrugal) with a huge Rajagopuram. Rajagopuram is at the entrance of the temple with five tiers filled with over 200 statues depecting stories from Vishnupuranam and Shivapuranam. Atop Gopuram, there are 5 kalasas. At the sanctum is 15 feet Sri Vedanarayanar in sitting posture with Vedavalli and Kumudavalli surrounded by devamathas Urvashi, thilothamai, Brigu Muni and Markandeyar.

At the artha mandapam is Sri Gopalan with Rukmani and Sathyabhama as utsava moorthy. Inside the temple, there is a separate shrine for Sridevi Thayar on the southern side and Boodevi Thayar on the northern side. Also, there is a shrine for Lord Shenbaga Ganesh (since it was in the middle of Shengaga trees).

In the inner circle, Sri Paramapathanathar is seated on the west side along with Sri Aathivaradhar and Lakshmidevi on His lap. Also seen here are the Dasavaratha Moorthigal. On the northern side, you will find 10 Alwar Sannidhis.

Atop the sanctum, you will find Sri Azhagiya Mannar with ShreeDevi and BooDevi. Brigu Muni and Markhandeyar Mahirishi are seated in the front. These statues are copper mix color painted ones with all surrounding walls with ancient work.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Anjaneyar and Garuda Bagavan at the Mahamandapam and Garudamandapam respectively.

Thiru Kudamuzhukku:

After almost 500 years, with an auspicious work start by Shri Nanguneri Jeeya Swamigal, Thiru Kudamuzhukku happened on July 9th, 2009 in a grand manner with loads of support from government officials, office bearers and millions of devotees around the world. Vimana Prashtai or Prathishtai happened in 1919 with the lead support from Shri Subbarao and Shri Konneri Pillai

Temple Timings

Temple opening

6.00 a.m.

Vishwaroopam

7.00 a.m.

Thiruvaaradanam

8.00 a.m.

Nadai Sathal (close)

10.30 a.m.

Evening Nadai opening

6.00 p.m.

Sayaratchai

6.30 p.m.

Thiruvisagam, Thirukappu Saathal

8.30 p.m.

Upcoming Car Festival Project:

Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments, a Tamilnadu Government department, has given approval to Gopalan Gaingarya Sabha, Palayamkottai to build a new car (ther) for the temple per order No: 67382/2019/Q3.

To become a member of this Sabha and be part of this once in a lifetime great project wherein the new car would exist for another few hundred years, please contact the following: