Youtube channel link: https://youtu.be/rxW88BMLAoM
Location: "4CC6+QPG, 10-2/1-3A, putchala street, Hukumpet, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh 535001"
References: https://heritage.home.blog/2019/07/21/sri-mannar-rajagopala-swamy-temple-vizianagaram/
Locally known as Sanathana Gopala Swamy,
Kotha Kovela, or Venugopala Swamy Temple, Mannar Raja Swamy Temple is almost 1000
years old built around 1017-1137 AD under Sri Bhagavath Ramanujacharya. It is
situated around 3 KMs from vizianagaram city bus stand. The
temple is familiar as "Kottha Kovela temple"
The temple had been one of the ancient
temples which had been ignored till recent past when it was finally resurrected
with a new Gopuram and re-established with intricate sculptors and carvings
kept intact. Today it stands as one of the most beautiful temples of South
India.
The recent additions of Madangopla deity on
one side and Vishnu Deva with Laxmi Maa on his seshatalpa on the other side, in
the entrance has been wonderfully done and looks very beautiful.
In the interior, the pillars have sculptors
but not comparable to those in Karnataka or Kakatiyas, but the major attraction
is the main Shikhara (Vimana), containing the main deity Shri Krishna, which is
absolutely mind blowing. The walls the beautifully sculpted with various
sculptures, ornamental designs, Kriti Mukhas, Gaja Simhas.
The Asthana mandapam contains almost 40
pillars and attached are 2 mini temples holding Jagannath Balabhadra Subhadra
and one for Lakshmi maa.
Legend says, the actual patha gudi (old
temple) was 1000 years old, was stuck by lightning and was abandoned only to be
rebuilt around 800 years ago with this kind of extensive architecture.
The garbagriha has the murtis of Rajagopala
(Krishna) and Rukmini & Satyabhama. On either side of antarala are mini
temples for Sri Andal (Sri Goda Devi) & another for Sri Ramanujacharya.
In the 40 pillared mandapam, in one corner,
the main Murti of Patha gudi (old temple) is kept. It is an ekasila (made from
a single stone) murti of Madhava with Rukmini and Satyabhama.
Thankfully this Murti had not been abandoned.
The rituals in this temple are performed
under Pancha Raatra Agama, one of the Vaishnava traditions. Annual
kalyanotsavam is performed for 5 days beginning Phalguna Suddha Ekadashi.
Culture
and History
Vizianagaram, also known as Vijayanagaram,
is a city and the headquarters of the Vizianagaram district in the Indian state
of Andhra Pradesh.[5] It is located in the Eastern Ghats, about 24 km (15 mi)
west of the Bay of Bengal and 40 km (25 mi) north-northeast of Visakhapatnam.
The history of the town dates back to 900 BC (Kalinga time) based on discovery
of copper coins. Vizianagaram Princely State was ruled by Pusapati Kings &
Gajapati Maharajas. Maharaja Vijayarama Gajapati Raju was a notable King.
Pusapatis are descendants of Lord Shri Rama. They are Suryavanshi Kshatriyas.
Their ancestors are Udaipur Maharanas.
Rituals
and Festivals
The temple is a very popular amongst those
seeking to get their wishes fulfilled. The annual Kalyanotsavam of the
presiding deity is a five-day festival. This is also the only temple in the
region where rituals are performed under Pancha Raatra Agama, a Vaishnava
tradition.
Architectural Style
The original architecture is a bit
confusing, not exactly Kalinga style, neither Nagara style. It looks like an
infusion of either with a main Antarala present. The additions of Gopurams
recently give it a more of a Dravidian style look now.
Photography:
The temple staff do not allow photography.
They take 500 Rs and give a receipt too, in case you want to take photographs.
No photography at all in Garbagriha or of
deities.
Location:
The temple is situated right in the
Vizianagaram city, with ample space for parking. There are no issues at all
visiting the temple. We stayed in Vizianagarm and covered the temple,
Ramateertham and Sarapalli Dibbi Lingeshwara Temple.
