Kulasekara Perumal Koil in Mannar Koil

Kulasekara Azhvaar spent the last 30 years of his life at this 1000 year old Mannar Koil and
is said to have attained Moksham here
One sees several inscriptions in this historical temple dating back to the Chozha Period

Rajagopalaswamy

Located 40kms West of Tirunelveli near Ambasamudram on the banks of two rivers,
TamaraiBarani and Karuna River, is the huge 1000 year old three tiered Rajagopalaswamy
Kulasekara Perumal Koil in Mannar Koil. This temple is named after Kulasekara Azhvaar who
spent the last years of his life performing service for the Lord at this temple.

Rajendra Vinnagaram
This place is also referred to as Veda Puri (after Veda Narayana Perumal) and Rajendra
Vinnagaram(the great Chozha king who built/renovated this temple).

Big Efforts of Narasimha Gopalan Acharya

Thanks to the single handed effort of Shri.Narasimha Gopalan Acharya, who belongs to the Periya
Nambi ancestry, a once dilapidated temple is now seeing truly significant renovation worth a lot of
commendation. A notable aspect of this is that there has thus far been very minimal support from
HR& CE for this initiative. Another point of sadness is the paltry Rs.245 paid to the Bhattar as the
monthly salary at this temple.

For those who have commited their entire lives to the service of the Lord, this kind of meagre
double and triple digit income is making it very difficult to sustain a reasonable life for the
Bhattars of Perumal Koils in Tamil Nadu.
However, Shri. Narasimha Gopalan is not one to be undone by lack of support. His determination
to seed and grow the Shenbagam flowers, which is said to be one of Lord Vishnu’s eight favourite
flowers, has borne significant results in the last 3-4 years with the Northern side of the temple now
full of Shenbagam trees. The fact that the number of Shenbagam flowers that one sees here cannot
be seen in any other Divya Desam is testimony to the passionate service provided by Shri.
Narasimha Gopalan.

In his praise of Lord Vishnu in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, Kulasekara Azhvaar refers only
to Shenbagam flowers and hence this flower is said to be very sacred.

Garuda alongside Utsava Deity - A Speciality

Along side the utsava deity of Rajagopalan is seen Garuda, a feature that is seen at the
Srivilliputhur Divya Desam.

Kulasekara Azhvaar
Kulasekara Azhvaar who was born in Thiruvanjikalam went on to become a Chera King. During
his early years, he defeated Chozha and Pandya kings and was a dominant force.

However, his devotion to Lord Vishnu led him to renounce power and to a path singing praise of
the Vaishnavite Lord. After trips around several Vishnu temples, Kulasekara Azhvaar finally
reached Mannar Koil, where he was taken in by the beauty of Vedanarayanan, in whom he saw the
Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Like Srirangam, Mannar Koil too is surrounded by two rivers on
either side -Tamarai Barani on the Southern side and Karuna River on the Northern side.

Staying here at Mannar Koil for over 30 years, Kulasekara Azhvaar undertook daily pooja of Lord
Rama, who was his abhisheka deity, and finally attained moksham at this place. To this day, one
finds the idols of this Abhisheka moorthy at this temple.

In recognition of his efforts here at Mannar Koil, this temple has come to be known as Kulasekara
Perumal Koil, the only historical Perumal koil to be directly named as an Azhvaar Perumal koil.

One also finds the Kulasekara Azhvaar Sannidhi with the Holy Flag Post (Kodi Maram) dedicated
to him, a speciality (for Azhvaars) not seen in any other perumal koil.

Incidentally, Vibheeshana, had also been drawn in to Lord Vedanarayanan of Mannar Koil.

Kulasekara Perumal- Moolavar

Historical Inscriptions
At the Rajagopalaswamy Kulasekara Perumal koil, one finds several inscriptions relating to
significant contributions made by rulers dating back to the Chozha and Chera period.

Rajendra Chozha made big contributions to this temple in the 11th century AD, so much so that
this place was referred to as Rajendra Vinnagaram. Later, Chera King Rajasimman donated
several pieces of land to this temple. Jatavarma Chozha Pandya as well as Nayak kings also made
contributions to the Mannar Koil.

There are also interesting inscriptions on the floor of the temple right at the entrance.

Avathara Sthalam of Azhagiya Manavala Jeer

This is the birth of Vaadhi Kesari Azhvagiya Manavala Jeer who provided detailed
vyakanam(explanation/description) of Divya Prabandham known as ‘Panniraayira Padi’

Kaisika Puranam Event at Mannar Koil

An interesting development and a very positive one for Mannar Koil is that the pre event practice
session of Kaisika Puranam for the Thirukurungudi Kaisika Ekadesi event will be held here next
Saturday 21st November 2009.

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Veda Narayana Perumal East Facing

Utsavar : Rajagopalaswamy with Garuda
Gooddess : Vedavalli Thaayar and Bhuvanavalli Thaayar

Azhvaar : Kulasekara Azhvaar attained Moksham at this place

Temple Time : 7am-12noon and 5pm-7pm
Contact : PS. Narasimha Gopalan Acharya@ 04634 252874

Festivals:
Chitrai Brahmotsavam
Procession of Azhvaar in Pushpa Pallaku in Thai

How to reach Mannar Koil:

Mannar Koil is about 5kms West of Ambasamudram off the Tenkasi – Courtallam Highway.

Ambasamudram is 35kms West of Tirunelveli.

Buses every 15mts from Tirunelveli new bus stand to Ambasamudram/Papanasam.
One can reach the temple in an hour from Tirunelveli.

Car from Tirunelveli to Mannar Koil and back will cost about Rs.500-600.
Auto from Ambasamudram bus stand to Mannar Koil will cost Rs.60/-.
One can also reach the temple by local buses / mini bus service

Manimutharu Dam is about 15kms from here.

Pechiparai Dam is about 50kms from here towards South
Courtallam falls is 50kms West from Mannar Koil.