Sri RajaGopala Swamy Temple Festivals

A special feature of this temple is the celebration of the annual Brahmotsavam. In the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April) for eighteen days and the float festival (Teppotsavam for ten days in the month of Ani (May-June). The 32 forms of the Lord are nincely brought out in the course of the festival, the entire cost of conducting each festival being borne by the different sections of the community including the Government departments of the P.W.D.Revenue, Highways and the municipality. Tradition has it that the festival for Sri Rajagopalaswamy and Sri Champakavalli Thayar are conducted on lines similar to those of Sri Ranganadha of Srirangam and Sri Andal of Srivilliputhur respectively. An account of the temple will be incomplete without the mention of the Haridranathi tank, situated on the northern side of the temple, Spanning an area of 23 acres which is similar to that of the temple. According to the Puranic accounts, it was here that the sages Gopilar and Goprilayar performed Penance and were blessed with the Lord's darshan. The saurashtra king Rajasekhara got himself absolved of the sin of ingratitude by taking a dip in the tank and chanting the "Dwadasakshara" mantra . The annual float festival for the Lord marks the conclusion of the ten day festival in the month of Ani (May-June). Having a bath in this tank in the month of Masi (February-March) is considered to be sacred. There is a temple for Sri Venugopala in the centre of the tank. In spite of its rich and ancient tradition, the temple authorities have been put to severe strain to provide for the daily worship in the temple because of paucity of funds. The dwindling income from the temple lands is the biggest problem faced by the authorities. Hence they have launched a scheme called "Aru kala pooja kattalai scheme". A fixed deposit of Rs.300/- or Rs.1,500/- is to be made and from the interest accrued thereon a single pooja or six poojas per day will be performed in the name and star of the subscriber. Philanthropists and the affluent must avail themselves of this opportunity and create the necessary endowments so that all the six kala poojas for a day are performed without any hitch. Sri Vidya Rajagopalaswamy Kainkarya Sabha has taken upon itself the onenous responsibility of providing for the conduct of Veda Parayanam and Prabhanda parayanam during the Brahmotsavam festival in the month of Panguni (March-April) and Pavithrotsavam (September). Dadiaradhanam is also arranged for the Vedic scholars who participate in the recitals. Similarly the sabha arranges for the processions of the lord and His consort during the monthly festivals. As quite a large sum is required for the provision of yearlong services, the sabha is dependent on the munificent contributions from the devotees. It is the earnest prayer of the sabha that interested donors may kindly contact the sabha authorities for making their contributions. All such donations will be accepted with grateful thanks with proper acknowledgements.

Seven worship services are offered during the course of a day, and this temple attracts pilgrims throughout the year. The annual festival (Bhrammotsavam) is celebrated in the month of Pankuni (Mar 15-Apr 15) for a period of 18 days, when the deities are taken out in procession on decorated mounts. The float festival occurs in the month of Aani (June 15 - July 15). Aadi Pooram celebrated between July 15 and Aug 15 is another of the important festivals here.
The Jayamkonda Naathar (Shiva) temple built by Jayamkonda Cholan is also located in the town of Mannargudi. The Tirattuppaal prasadam made at this temple used to be sent to the Rajagopala temple, on the asterism of Rohini in the month of Vaikasi amidst festivities in both temples (Tirattuppaal Aradhanai). The huge vessel used for boiling the milk required for the event is all that is left of this ceremony.