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Temple Tour : |
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The temple is found spreaded over a very big and erect gopuram. Overall there are 11 gopurams found and the Raja Gopuram is said to found with lots of artistic works and sculptures carved in it.
Thirunnazhi pragharam, Garudan pragharam, Senbaga pragharam, Kasipragharam and Naachiyaar pragaharams are found in this temple.
There are great 7 Mandapams found in this sthalam and they are :
- Vallala Maharaja Mandapam
- Aayiram Kaal (Thousand Beams) Mandapam
- Garuda Vaghana Mandapam
- Yaanai Mandapam (Elephant)
- Palakani Mandapam
- Vennai Thaazhi Mandapam
- Punnai Vaghana Mandapam
This temple is located facing east direction. But, there is also a saying that the temple might have been facing west direction and because of this the gopuram which is called as "Mela Vaasal" (Merku - west), there is a Mandapam by named "Maaligai Medu", where the Tanjore kings used to come and stay to worship Sri Rajagopalaswamy. And also the Sangu and Chakkaram theerthams are interchanged. But anyway, at present the temple is located facing the east direction.
As we enter into the temple, we can find a 54 feet high Garuda Sthambham where Garudalwar is found in a small temple on the top of the sthambham. On the North side of it, we can find a very big chariot. Next to Thiruvaaroor chariot, this chariot is said to be special one.
As we more on further from Garudasthambham, we can find 16 pillared Mandapam and it greets us in a welcome manner.
Next to this Mandapam, we can see the huge Rajagopuram where lots of artistic works can be seen. To the south direction of this gopuram, a sannadhi for veera Anjaneyar is found and it is said that there is lots of good things happen after the worship of this Veera Anjaneyar.
Next is the 5th pragharam and it is called with the name "Naachiyaar Pragharam". In this pragharam only, Sengamala Thaayar is taken out in chariot.
As we more on further, we will enter into the 4th pragharam and it is named as "Kasi Pragharam". In this pragharam, we can find a special mandapam called "Thirumaamani Mandapam" and during Vaikunda Ekadesi, the Perumal reside in this mandapam during the day time and just opposite to this great mandapam, another mandapam by named "Thiruvandi Kaappu Mandapam" is found where lots of debates and Kaalakshebhams (a special way of explaining the greatness of the Perumal keeping the Paasurams as the source) are done.
Next to this pragharam is the 3rd one and this pragharam is named as "Senbaga pragharam". As we enter this pragharam, on the south side, we can see a sannadhi where Periyalwar moolavar and Kulasekaralwar utsavar are found. And opposite to them is the Dwajasthambham and balipeetam are found. Next is the sannadhis for first 3 Alwars (Poigai alwar, Bhoothatalwar and Pei Alwar) is found. On the South side, is the thirumadapalli (Kitchen) is found. This Madapalli is called as "Naachiyaar Parigraham".
On the South pragharam, we can see sannadhi of Sri Andal, Nammalwar, Manavala Maamunigal, Thirumangai Alwar and Kumudhavalli Naachiyaar, Thondaradippodi alwar and a Rama Padhukai (divine feet) and close to it is, we can see Anjaneyar in worshipping position. Opposite to Sri Andal sannadhi, there is a four-pillared mandapam where Koadai Utsavam and Vasantha Utsavam are done.
In the south pragharam, a sannadhi for Sengamalavalli Thaayar is found and opposite to this sannadhi, Thirukannadi (mirror) mandapam is found. A mandapam called as "Nirundha Mandapam" found opposite to thaayar sannadhi and in this mandapam a grand Utsavam by named "Atthyayana Utsavam" is done for 10 days. Every Friday, thirumanjanam (sacred bath) for thaayar is done.
As we more on to top, we will reach the Senbaga pragharam where the Perumal is giving his seva to his Bhakthas. As we move further, we will reach the Thiru unnayazhi. Here in this, we can get the seva of Moolavar Para Vasudevar along with Sri Devi and Bhoodevi. Underneath the Moolavar, we can see Sri Vidhya Rajagopalan who is the Utsavar of this sthalam along with Sri Rukmani and Sathyabama.
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