Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple also known as Thirukkavalampadi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated in Thirunangur, near Sirkazi town, in the Tamil Nadu district of Mayiladuthurai. Because the Lord is worshipped here as Sri Gopalakrishna, this temple is also known as Sri Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple.

Azhwars, Vaishnava saints, have chanted hymns in favour of this Lord, and this temple is one of the Divyadesams, Vishnu’s chosen abodes. Furthermore, there are as many as 11 such Divyadesams in the Thirunangur region, which are known collectively as Thirunangur Tirupathi. The Thirukkavalampadi Temple is likewise one of the shrines of the ‘Thirupathi,’ and is considered the first of those 11.

All of these temples are linked to the saint poet Thirumangaiazhwar, who has sung songs to these deities. Lord Gopalakrishna, along with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama, presides over this shrine. Because Krishna is enshrined alongside both of his consorts, this temple is considered as holy as Dwaraka.

Story/Legend of the Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple

‘Kavalam’ is a traditional Tamil term that means “elephant.” Thirumangai Azhwar narrated how the Lord saved an elephant here, which is said to be the origin of the name ‘Thiru Kavalam Padi.’ It is also stated that Krishna and his wife Satyabhama picked this location for their garden because it resembled Indra’s, the Lord of the Heavens’, palace. They accomplished this by transporting and planting exotic flowers here.

Furthermore, all 11 temples at Thirunangur Tirupathi are linked by a common legend. Lord Shiva’s consort, Goddess Sati, committed suicide during her father Daksha’s sacrifice. Shiva danced wildly in this spot, driven by immense sadness and rage. This caused his hairlocks to contact the ground, and each time it did, it gave rise to 11 new Shiva aspects. The celestials were frightened by this development since Shiva was the God of Destruction, and the presence of his various forms may herald the end of all life on Earth.

At this location, they sought refuge in Vishnu, who came in front of Shiva and pacified him. It is also believed that similar to Shiva’s 11 characteristics, Vishnu elected to stay in 11 different locations inside this belt at Shiva’s request. The 11 Thirunangur Tirupathi temples are supposed to be Lord Vishnu’s abodes. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple

According to legends, Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, and his spouse Satyabhama picked this place for their garden because it resembled the one at the palace of Indra, the monarch of celestial deities. Kavalam means elephant and padi means site; it is claimed that Krishna saved an elephant at this location, hence the temple’s name. Tirumangai Alvar’s lines in Nalayira Divya Prabandham depict the occurrence.

Architecture of Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple

The Gopalakrishna temple lies in Thirunangur, a small village about 10 kilometres from Sirkali on the road to Thiruvenkadu. A little shrine with Vimanam can be found in the temple. On either side of the temple is a granite image of Gopalakrishna and his consorts Rukmini and Sathya Bhama.

Gopalakrishna is shown standing alongside his consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama. Madavaragal Mangai and Sengamala Nachiar are the names of the consort at a separate shrine. The temple contains a three-tiered Gopuram, and the Garuda shrine sits outside the gopuram, axial to the central shrine. There are just two significant shrines: one dedicated to Gopalkrishna and another to his consorts.

Facts about Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple

• Thirukkavalampadi or Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple is located in Thirunangur, a village on the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
• During the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai, the festival deity of Thirumangai Azhwar is brought to the temple from Thiruvali-Thirunagari.
• The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periyalvar, Thirumalisai Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar.
• The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple was mentioned in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.
• It is believed that Saint Thirumanagai Alvar visits the place every year for the festival to consecrate the eleven deities.
• As per local belief, the fresh winds which swirl the paddy fields before the day of the festival indicate a good harvest for the season.
• Another tradition has it that the sages Madangar, Domyar, Vyaghrapada, and Udangar established their hermitages here.
• Takshaka, the strong serpent king who slew King Parikshit during the Mahabharatha period, governed Nagapuri, which subsequently became Nangur.

Famous Festivals In Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a significant occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• During the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai, the festival deity of Thirumangai Alvar is brought to the temple from Thiruvali-Thirunagari.
  

How to reach Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple

The temple is located in Thirunangur, a small village, 10 km away from Seerkazhi en route to Thiruvenkadu.

By Air: The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli, about 150 kilometres from the temple.

By Railway: Sirkazhi is the nearest railway station, located just about 11 kilometres from the temple.

By Roadways: Devotees can travel by buses and private vehicles to this temple from nearby towns like Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai.

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