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 Mannargudi is a place of religious antiquity and legendary importance. In ancient times, Mannargudi was known by many names namely, Senbagaranyam, Vasudevapuri, Dakshina Dwaraka, Vanduvarapati and Swayambhu Sthalam, each name having a religious significance as detailed below: Senbagaranyam. The place was once a forest of Senbaga trees with fragrant and lovely flowers. Vasudevapuri. The presiding deity of this place is Paravasudevar and in this place Brahma did penance and attained Moksha uttering the Dwadasakshari mantra, "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya." Dakshina Dwaraka. Towards the close of the Dwapara Yuga two Rishis by name Gopila and Gopralaya prayed for Lord Krishna's darsan. A voice from above directed them to proceed straight to Dwaraka and offer prayer to Lord Krishna in person. 

      Accordingly, the two Rishis commenced their journey towards Dwaraka, walking during the day and resting at night, observing the Nitya Karmanushthana. One day, they lost themselves in meditation till Kali Yuga started after the close of Dwapara Yuga. The Rishis were unaware of the end of Dwapara Yuga. As usual, they commenced their journey after meditation. When they reached the banks of Yamuna River, they came across Narada who informed them that Lord Krishna had already completed his mission on earth by the close of Dwapara Yuga and left for Vaikunta. On hearing this the two Rishis, were struck mute. Narada consoled them and blessed them with the sacred Deva Darsana Mantra and advised them to go to Senbagaranyam in the South on the sacred River Kaveri and to do penance uttering the sacred Deva Darsana Mantra on the banks of the holy Haridra Nadi. Accordingly the Rishis Gopila and Gopralaya performed Yoga on the banks of Haridra Nadi. Lord Krishna was pleased with their penance and asked them what they wanted. The Rishis requested the boon that Lord Krishna should again perform all his important Lilas at that place. The request was granted. Vanduvarapati. The place abounds in bees that never spare a flower without. Sucking its honey and the dense forest of Senbaga trees with their sweet fragrance. Since bees do not visit the Senbaga flowers, they are pure and thus fit to adorn the Lord. Swayambhu Sthala. Once Lord Brahma as the creator of the Universe began to think too much of himself and considered all other gods as subordinate to him. Seeing the strange behavior of Brahma, Lord Vishnu cursed him to forget all about creation. Brahma was terrified at this curse. He had to come to Senbagaranyam (Mannargudi) and conduct severe penance in order to get absolved of the sin. After many years of penance, Vishnu appeared before Brahma and blessed him to get back his powers. Brahma immediately created a Swayambhu Vimanam and installed Vasudeva at Mannargudi. 

    The Raja Gopalaswamy Temple History.The famous Vishnu temple at Mannargudi dedicated to Sri Rajagopalaswami was built by the Chola king Kulottunga I (1070-1120 AD). The temple is situated over an area of 6 acres of land that commands an imposing view and provides accommodation for thousands of devotees. After the Chola kings the Nayak kings of Tanjore took interest in the renovation of temples built earlier and as a result the temple at Mannargudi was improved with many gopurams and Quter prakarams. The Moolasthanam deity is known as Vasudevar and is installed with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. Sri Rajagopala- swami is the processional deity with a commanding appearance standing in front of the cow, with Rukmini and Satyabhama. This idol is considered to be the most handsome and attractive among the images of Vishnu. There is another idol of Lord Krishna as a boy lying on the serpent Adisesha, with his right toe in the mouth, known as Santana Rajagopalan. This image is made of bronze and the workmanship is super-excellent. The worship of Santana Rajagopalan has got a special significance. The legend connected with it is that whoever holds Baby Krishna in his lap with the loving heart of a parent, is immediately blessed with a child. The historical evidence to show that a barren woman would beget a child is provided by the birth of a child to King Swarnasiga - many,son of King Rajasekhara, who was childless and was blessed with a child by worshipping this Baby Krishna.The goddess is known as Senbagavalli Tayar, who has a separate shrine. Her names in Sanskrit are Hemabjanayaki and Raktabjanayaki. On her sides are Rajanayaki on the right and Dwaranayaki or, the left. She has four arms. This shrine has separate prakarams. There are small shrines in the temple dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Garudalwar, etc. The Garuda Stambha placed in front of the Lord's shrine is 54 feet high and is made of a -single stone. There are many Vahanams in the temple of which Panchamukha Hanuman (Hanuman with five faces) is worth mentioning. Garuda Vahanam and Horse Vahanam are plated with gold and are said to have been donated by a European officer who was cured of his colic on offering worship to the Lord. 

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      Many festivals take place in this temple throughout the year and theBrahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Panguni (Marc April). This is a very ancient temple and has figured in the Maha Bharata, Brahmanda Purana, Sriranga Purana and Tirupati Purana. Here Lord Vishnu gives darsan as Lakshmi Narayana. The leg goes to say that once an Asura by his fight with the Devas roused the anger of Vishnu who released his Chakra to kill him. The Asuraran to Saint Bhrigu's wife and begged refuge. The Sage's wife,knowing the sin committed by the Asura, gave him shelter. Immediately the Chakra of Vishnu appeared before her and demanded the Asura to be brought. The Sage's wife refused to do so as she could not bet the man who had surrendered to her and whom she had already promised to help. She said, "If you want, you may take away my first and then that of my refugee." The Chakra had no option could not return without fulfilling the task and hence it cut the he of both and returned. When Bhrigu saw that somebody had cut the head of his wife, he instantaneously cursed, "Whoever has abet and caused the crime will also suffer the same suffering that I am now to." Very soon he realised that his curse had acted upon Lord Vishnu He repented very much for the inadvertent curse.  

      He prayed earnestly for redress of his sin of separating Vishnu and Lakshmi. God appeared before him and told him that Mahalakshmi would become his daughter and that he would come to marry her. According to God's desire Bhrigu came to Senbagaranyam, he got Mahalakshmi as his daughter and with all devotion he brought her up and waited anxiously for arrival of Vishnu. The marriage of Vishnu and Mahalakshmi celebrated at Senbagaranyam. Once Agni lost his powers and lustre as a result of Garuda's curse. Then he came to this sacred place and worshipped the Lord and back his powers. It is said that King Muchukunda conducted penance here and got Moksha. This temple has more than 200 acres of paddy fields and 800 ac of land producing other grains and pulses.

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