Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi

Sri Vidhya Rajagopalaswamy Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Tiruvarur
Deity	Sri Vidhya Rajagopalaswamy (Krishna)
Features	Temple tank: Haridra Nadhi
Location
Location	Mannargudi
State	Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates	10°40′1″N 79°26′32″E / 10.66694°N 79.44222°E / 10.66694; 79.44222
Architecture
Type	Dravidian architecture
Creator	Kulothunga Chola I, Later Chola Kings
Website
http://rajagopalaswamytemple.tnhrce.in/

Sri Vidhya Rajagopalaswamy temple is a Vaishnava shrine located in the town of Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India.^[1] The presiding deity is Rajagopalaswamy, a form of Krishna. The temple is spread over an area of 9.3 ha (23 acres) and is an important Vaishnava shrines in India. The temple is called Dakshina Dvaraka (Southern Dvaraka) along with Guruvayoor by Hindus.^[2] It is considered first among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.

Originally this ancient temple was first constructed by Kulothunga Chola I at 10th century and Chola Kings Rajaraja Chola III, Rajendra Chola III and later expanded by Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century. The temple has three inscriptions from the period and also mention in the religious texts. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and seven of its nine bodies of water. The temple has a 59 m (192 ft) rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower. Haridra Nadhi, the temple tank associated with the temple is outside the temple complex and is considered one of the largest temple tanks in India.

Pundarikakshan is believed to have appeared as Krishna to sages Gopillar and Gopralayar.

Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April), being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.