Come Panguni (the Tamil month corresponding to March-April), Vasihnavite devotees make a beeline for Mannargudi’s Rajagopalaswamy temple. A popular Tamil adage states, Tiruvarur ther (chariot) azhagu (pretty), Mannargudi madhil (compound wall) azhagu, reinforcing the pull of the famous Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Mannargudi. The temple for the presiding deity and His Consort Sengamalavalli Thayar that was originally small, was expanded by later day rulers and made the focal point around which the town grew. They also ushered in the 18-day-long brahmotsavam on a grand scale, in practice till date, wherein Rajagopalaswamy appears in front of His devotees, an avowal of His endless mercy towards them, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh.
On all 18 days, Rajagopalaswamy sports different looks for His devotees, each one a reminder and reinforcement of His kindness and succour to devotees who place their faith in Him. The famous verse goes, “Leela yashti manongna Dakshina karo baalaarka tulya Prabha palavesitha divya ratna tilako malavalee manditha cheelaveshtitha mouli mohita jana: Cholaavanee manmade: velatheetha daya rasartra hridayayo me lalitho moulina.” Wielding a staff in His right hand, bright as the rising run, sporting a tilak of rubies on His forehead, bedecked with lovely flowers, wearing a beautiful turban, the mesmerising Manmadan of the Chola belt, and the repository of limitless kindness towards His devotees, Rajagopalaswamy stands grandly, the sight of which sends His devotees into ecstasy.
The significance of the deity appearing with the pot of butter (vennai thazhi ) on the 16th day is one fraught with deep philosophy. As renowned spiritual speaker Aasukavi Villur Swami said, “I bow down in prayer to the One who stole butter in Nandagopala’s house and launched the butter (food for soul) that is the Bhagavad Gita, while charioteering for Arjuna.” Many devotees offer butter to Him on this day, seeking to be accepted into His abode.
Published – March 22, 2025 05:00 am IST
