Inside:Shree RajaGopalaSwamy Temple ,Cuddalore ~ Be Like Dharma Dispatcher

Shree RajaGopalaSwamy Temple,Cuddalore

The Maha Samprokshanam Maha Samprokshanam' ritual, also known as the 'Maha Kumbhabhishekam,' is a significant and elaborate consecration ceremony performed in all Hindu temples. It is considered a sacred and auspicious occasion that involves the re-energization and reconsecration of the temple's sanctum sanctorum and its divine deities.

Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple's Samprokshnam was held on Dec-09-2021 and it was done and organized by Mr.Gr.Durairaj Son of Mr.G.Ratha Krishnan Naidu and Srimathi Prabhammal.He is the Managing Director of GRK estates (Be Indian Buy Indian) Cuddalore, Also he serves and helps many people, a man of courage with open arms.

Temple Tank & thala vrusksha Chandra pushkarani is the significant temple tank which is located in this temple, as the name suggests this tank holds the benefits of planet Chandra. People who are with Zodiac signs and Lagna of Moon can attain several advantages by this pushkarani. There are several festivals taking place in this pushkarani. Especially there is a festival called “Kanu Utsavam” that takes place every year in January month.

Tank History :This pond grasps a piece of detailed information regarding the provision of water to people who are located near this temple. they will take a sufficient amount of water from this temple tank during the olden days. Because of the inexhaustible fountain that is presented in this tank, there will be a sufficient amount of water that will remain at any time.

The peepal tree is considered as sthalavruskham of this temple, this tree holds the power of lord Brahma, people believe this tree will give the beneficiaries of lord Brahma and they will perform “Adi pradakshina”(Step – by – step walk) to stay fit and healthy for more years. As we knew inhaling peepal tree air would hire us long live. Lord Vinayagar is Consecrated in the middle of this tree, people also prefer worshipping Vinayaka along with this tree, before initiating any works.

Curious Chronicle of Deity's Idol : (Sri Rajagoplaswamy)During 1758, there was a war between Brigadier Lally and Robert Clive during that war famous Saint David's fort from the Cuddalore district was demolished by Lally and was renovated again in 1764. Meanwhile, the deity's idol was addressed to one of the devote dreams for expressing a change of the place from a temple to another farming area which is from the outer border of Cuddalore district. so devotees were excited to do his order they carried the idol of Sri Rajagoplaswamy at midnight overwhelmed with a dark blackish sky. and that place is commonly called "Thonthapattu" later the Thottapattu area in Cuddalore. After French post-war devotees clarified that the war was completely done and decided to join together and bring back the idol to his native place called Pudupalayam.

The Main deity :Lord Rajagoplaswamy along with his consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama is the main deity of this temple. Gopala can be derived from Go – Cows, and pala – protector.Gopala – cowherd Rajagopal, means King of ruling cowherds. As per Hindu dharma cows are treated as Mother Earth, which provides us enormous benefits.

He loves the one who takes care of cows. In other words, one who is involved in go-Raksha. This temple holds unique Benedictions such as getting married if it's delayed, leading a wealthy lifestyle, attaining higher recognition, and staying peaceful and filled up with gratitude. these are the Benedictions we can own from the Presiding deity of this temple.

Along with the Presiding deity, there are other Sannadhis namely

Sri Pakshirajan Swamy Sannadhi,

located straight opposite to presiding deity, Sri Pakshirajan or Garudalwar, is considered as Chief vehicle of Lord Vishnu. there is a powerful mantra called "Sri Garuda Gadyam" written by Sri Vedanta Desika, which contains the Glorification of lord Vishnu by Pakshiraja.

Every year During Vaikuntha Ekadasi, this mantra will be recited by this temple Archakas in front of the parama pada vassal (Main Door of the Presiding deity sannadhi) before opening it.

Varasidhi Hanuman sannadhi,In this temple, Lord Hanuman holds the name 'varasidhi hanuman", which means one who makes things happen.A very powerful deity, in a standing position having Gadha in one hand and pointing another hand upside. (Reference: Veera Anjaneya). every Saturday people worship lord varasidhi hanuman in this temple by offering Vetrilai malai, Butter, Vadamalai, and Thulasi malai, to get things to happen. Sakasranama Archana will take place on special occasions people join in this ritual and will get the benefits of Lord Hanuman.

Lord Sri Sudharsanar sannidhi

In this temple, there is a separate sannadhi for Lord Sudharsanar along with yoga Narashima Swamy, People will worship him every Thursday and Swathi nakshatra. The beneficial include For getting favorable judgments, Initiating new business, Finance related business, free from fraudulent and free from black magic.

Sri Sengamalavalli Thayar ,sannadhiSengamalavalli Thayar is considered to be the mother goddess of peoples who worships her. In this temple, some beloved utsavams are happening every year which include Sri Sengamalavalli thayar in it. those rituals are,

"Navratri utsavam" happens once a year during Oct month, that time sengamalavalli will be with Lord Rajagoplaswamy for Navratri rituals.

"Kanu Utsavam" During Jan after Pongal this will be happening in the Chandra pushkarani in this temple, At that time people will get Mangal sutra thread(saradu) as a prasadam on that day.

Panguni Utra nakshtra :During March, Sakasranama Archana will be held with Bilva leaves to the goddess, those leaves after the Archana are considered to be sacred and they will award you the wealthiest lifestyle. people will receive that as prasad so they take part in that and receive the benedictions of Sri sengamalavalli thayar.

Sri Godhanayagi sannadhi,Godhhanayagi or Andal sannidhi is located left side of the presiding deity sannadhi. She was posthumously considered an avatar of the goddess Bhudevi. female Alwar among the twelve.

she wrote "Thiruppavai" contains the glorification of Lord Vishnu,There are also separate rituals taking place for Godhanayagi in this temple

Aadi Puram,Every year during the Tamil of Aadi is considered to be the birth month of Lord Godhanayagi. so during that month, she joins Lord Rajagoplaswamy utsavar and utsavam will be happening for 10 days. 10th-day Aadi Puram is celebrated especially than the rest of 9 days.

Margazhi utsavam (Month of sagittarius)

This month is more divine than other months,

Lord Krishna said, "I am Margazhi in Months".

so Lord Godhanayagi decided to write and recite

a sacred poem called "Thiruppavai" Each poem each day

as a result, we got 30 poems.

"ஓங்கி உலகளந்த உத்தமன் பேர்பாடி

நாங்கள் நம் பாவைக்குச் சாற்றிநீர் ஆடினால்,

தீங்கின்றி நாடெல்லாம் திங்கள்மும் மாரிபெய்து

ஓங்கு பெருஞ்செந்நெ லூடு கயல் உகளப்

பூங்குவளைப் போதில் பொறிவண்டு கண்படுப்ப,

தேங்காதே புக்கிருந்து சீர்த்த முலைபற்றி

வாங்கக் குடம் நிறைக்கும் வள்ளல் பெரும்பசுக்கள்

நீங்காத செல்வம் நிறைந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்".

This is one of the most known Thiruppavai knew by all.

Garuda & Gosala,we know Lord Garuda is considered the chief mount of Lord Vishnu, he also holds a favorable Intermediator position with Lord Vishnu. yes, he got all the answers for good deems and sins from him and let us know how one should survive in this world. all those conversations are in the book "Garuda Purana".

Every year during Tamil of aadi at "Swati nakshatra" Garuda Jayanti is celebrated. on that day "Amrutha kalasam" is prepared by archakas and offered to Lord garudan, then distributed to the pilgrims as prasad.people worship him to get rid off.Sarpa dhosa (Effects of Naga), persistent diseases, evil effects from grahas, insect bites, and succeeding enemies.

Go sala,Lord Krishna and cow are inseparable, many references exist in "Bhagavad Gita" and also cow contemplates Lord Mahalakshmi who provides wealth for all. In this temple, the first ritual pooja takes place called 'Vishwaroopam" cow milk is offered to Lord Rajagopalaswamy and then distributed to the devotees as prasad.

Significant Festivals in this temple.

Sri Jayanthi also called Krishna Jayanthi :Lord Rajagoplaswamy is an incarnation of Lord Krishna, every year during late August and early September .specfic day which consists of Rohini star and Asthami thithi, Sri Jayanthi is celebrated magnificently in this temple. sastra says one who takes part in this celebration will collect a boon of offering enormous Go-rakshas from this temple.

on that particular day, Thirumanjanam (Abhisekam) will be performed by archagas to the central deity of this temple, and nearly 30 liters of cow milk will be awarded by the people who are nearby this temple.

Thiru-aadipooram: Tamil month called "Aadi" is the fourth month of every year, and this month is related to the goddess.Aadi Pooram is a 10-day festival observed with great pomp and shown in all Lord Vishnu temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. Of these, the last day (10th day) is observed as ‘Aadi Pooram’ and a grand marriage ceremony of Goddess Andal and Lord Krishna.In this temple, Thirumajanam is being performed by archagas to Lord Godhanayagi for 10 - days, and a 10th-day huge celebration takes place.

Navratri festival: Again 9 -days utsavam for Lord rajagoplaswamy with his main consert Sri Sengamalvalli thayar.Tamil month called Purattasi occupies Navratri utsavam every year. People will worship Lord Rajgoplaswamy with sri sengamalavalli thayar in these 9 days and receive surplus blessings.

Deepa - oli utsavam :

one of the oldest festivals of this temple. every year during Diwali accompanied by ammavasaya, Lord rajagoplaswamy will come out of the temple and joins us to celebrate the colourful festival called Diwali. A lot of fireworks and crackers are sparkled in front of the god by this temple archagas during this utsavam.devotees can observe and enjoy the idol decorations from the flashlights produced by Sparkles.

Thirukarthigai Deepam :Lord Rajagoplaswamy with his consorts, utsavam contains Deepa prathista & Sokkapanai lightups.

The month of Margazhi (Sagittarius month) : Every year during December month "Dhanur Maasam" festival is celebrated in this temple. Special thirumajanam will be performed by this temple archagas for 30 days to Lord Godhanayagi and rajagoplaswamy . "Thiruppavi - a special holy hymn" sung by the peoples, considered as offerings to the lord in this temple.

Maasi Magam :

Tamil month called "maasi" occupies with magam star and Pournami thithi is considered as maasi magam and suites for taking holy water bath in seas.Every year "Theerthavaari takes place in this temple.

Lord Devanatha swamy will address to this temple he is considered as Brother of Lord rajagoplaswamy. both will proceed to sea in the coastal area called Devanampattinam near Cuddalore district. This festival is considered the grandest ceremony of valuing the impressive brotherhood of both.

Sri Vedanta Desika Swamy has sung this auspicious festival on top of the hymn called "Maasi kadaladi magizhnadane" its considered that the King of the sea wisely called "Samudra raja" will be very happy to receive this Theeratha vaari in the sea, similarly, we can notice the furious moment of the sea after reciting the Ahamarshana suktam during the time of Theerathavari in sea.

Sri Ramanavami: Lord Rama is one of the incarnations of the Supreme god Vishnu. This temple pays attention to Sriramanavami which falls on Pisces month every year. Special Thirumanajanam is held to the deity and the Urchavar idol is decorated as Lord Rama on this auspicious day at night there will be a festival called "Thiru veethi ula " in Indira vimana.

Other Festival celebrations: Along with all festivals, this temple also proceeds with some miniature festivals like Ammavasya which falls every month, Rohini star , Varalakshmi viratham, Sudharasana Jayanthi, Narashima Jayanthi, Moolan star - For Hanuman, Prasdhosam - for Lord Narashimar, Uttram star - for Goddess Lakshmi (Sengamalavalli Thayaar), Kaaradayan Nombu , Rathasaptami and etc.

Occasion 6 kaala pooja & Maha prasad-hams :

One of the most famous prasad-ham from this temple is

"Kesari" and "Eera vaadai pongal", devotees can experience this both combo, especially during festival times and when thirumanjanam takes place. Also notably there is a special prasad-ham called "Puliyore", we can experience this pradhan during festival days in the evening time. Apart from this other prasadhams namely Thathiyannam (Curd rice), sweet Pongal (Chakkara pongal), Thearatti paal (Milk Ghova), Milagu vadai (vada malai) are offered during other respected festivals.

Thank you!!