Sri Madana Gopala Swamy Temple is located in the city of madurai,Tamilnadu. It is correctly located to the eastern side of Madurai Periyar bus stand.
This temple is perceived as a worshipping place of Vaishnavites. The main god here is Lord Vishnu. i.e.,The main idol of this temple is Sri Madana Gopala Swamy and the goddess is Mother Maduravalli Thayar. In the temple premises there is a separate sannadhi for Sri Aandaal.
The Maha Mandapam with beautiful sculptures depicting Ramayana scenes on both northern and southern sides is seen in front of the Sannadhi (sanctum).
Madana Gopala Swamy temple’s Sthala Vruksham (tree) is Plantain. They say one who wants to become well versed in music should worship Madana Gopala swami and get the blessings of Lord.
History
Madana Gopala Swamy temple was built in 16th century A.D. Legend says that Lord Siva worshipped and did penance in front of a Shivalinga which he installed. The amount of energy was too much for the living beings in the world, so to divert Lord Siva’s attention; Lord Vishnu played his flute and balanced the crisis.
In 1912, Mr. Adelian Peppergibson (Philadelphia-U.S, Socialite) visited Madana Gopala Swamy Temple, Madurai. In 1938, he built a Mandapam in the museum of Philadelphia, with the dilapidated stone pillars taken by him to his country from Madana Gopala Swamy temple.
Beauty of Idol
The temple is 800 years old. The main deity is of Lord Krishna, playing the flute known as Madana Gopalaswamy flanked by his consorts Rukmani and Sathyabhama. The idol is of bewitching beauty and the idol is about 5 feet tall . This temple is not known to many tourists and is more frequented by local people. Make a visit to this temple whenever you get an opportunity to visit Madurai as the Krishna here will definitely steal your heart.
Temple Shrines
Lord Vinayaka blesses the devotees at the entrance of the temple sitting under the Arasu tree on the left side. Lord Madanagopala Swami is the presiding deity. Plantain is the sacred tree of the temple. Presiding Lord is in His alluring best with a flute in His hands in Vishwarupa posture with His consorts Mothers Bama and Rukmini by His side. Mother Maduravalli and Mother Sri Andal grace the devotees from their respective shrines.
There are shrines for Lord Navaneethakrishna, Senai Mudalvar, Garuda Bhagwan, Nammazhwar, Udayavar, Thirumangai Azhwar and Periazhwar. Passing through the sanctum sanctorum, devotees have Lord Rama gracing them from a shrine. Sri Chakkarathazhwar the deity of Lord’s discus, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, Hari Hara Sarpa Raja and Panchamukha Anjaneya also grace the devotees from their respective shrines. Acharya Ramanuja and Lord Kanna playing His melodious flute also have shrines.
Temple Greatness
On Her way to Sri Rangam, Mother Anadal visited this temple with Saint Periazhwar travelling in a palanquin and worshipped Lord Madanagopala Swami before merging in the divine body of Lord Perumal, according to local history-sthala purana.
The top place of the temple there is also a idol present. But peoples are not allowed daily,on some special occasions only we can visit that place.
Festivals
The temple celebrates a festival each month. Sri Krishna Jayanthi in August-September; Vaikunda Ekadasi and Pavai Nonbu in December-January are important among them.
Other than this, the kolu functions are celebrated very grantly in this temple.
Prayers
Those aspiring to excel in music pray to Lord here. People also celebrate their Sadabisheka-60th birth day and believe that their descendents will have a prosperous life. Mother Naga Devi is worshipped as Harihara Sarpa Raja. Rahukala puja is performed here on Fridays for relief from adverse aspects of serpent planets and of planet Mars.
This temple is in West Masi street and is very close to Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple and near the Eastern gate of Immayil Nanmai Tharuvar Koil.
Timings:
Morn 6.00AM to 12.00pm and Eve 4.00PM to 8.30PM.
Google Map
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