Rajagopalaswamy Temple

Rajagopalaswamy Temple is a large Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna as Rajagopalaswamy, located in Mannargudi, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu. Known as Dakshina Dwaraka, it is noted for its expansive 23-acre complex, towering gopurams, large Haridra Nadhi temple tank and Dravidian architecture. Originally built by the Cholas and later expanded by Vijayanagara and Thanjavur Nayak rulers, it is an important Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre and Abhimana Kshethram.

Visitors can expect a vast Dravidian temple complex spread over 23 acres with a 7-tiered 154-foot Rajagopuram, 16 gopurams, pillared mandapas, shrines and the large Haridra Nadhi tank. The main sanctum houses Rajagopalaswamy with consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. Visitors can walk through courtyards, view sculpted pillars and chariot, observe daily pujas and explore the temple tank and outer prakarams.

The temple's origins are attributed to the Medieval Cholas, with inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola I. It was substantially expanded during the Vijayanagara period and later by Thanjavur Nayaks, particularly King Vijayaraghava Nayak in the 16th-17th century, who added the large gopurams, mandapas and compound walls. The temple reflects successive layers of Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayak architecture.

The temple is dedicated to Rajagopalaswamy, a form of Krishna, and is revered as Dakshina Dwaraka (Dwaraka of the South). It is classified as an Abhimana Kshethram and is important in Vaishnavism. The Haridra Nadhi tank is considered sacred. Annual festivals such as Panguni Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Krishna Jayanthi draw large numbers of pilgrims.