Madanagopala Swamy Temple Madurai

SRI MADANAGOPALA SWAMI TEMPLE

Madurai, Tamilnadu, India

God

Presiding Deity is called as Madhana Gopala Swamy flanked by his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. The Lord here is also known as Deivika Vasudevan. The idol is of bewitching beauty and the idol is about 5 feet tall. Here deity is under the Ashtanga Vimana holding a flute in his two hands and holding Shanku and Chakra in other two hands.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to March.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37 °C during the day and 21 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (30 °C during day and 18 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoâ€‹king is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
TM Court Bus Stop	110 MTRS	1800-419-4287
Madurai Railway Junction	900 MTRS	139
Madurai International Airport	10.8 KM	0452-2690717

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Madurai Railway Junction	900 MTRS	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Madurai International Airport	10.8 KM	0452-2690717

Architecture

Sri Madanagopala Swami Temple has a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The Maha Mandapam with beautiful sculptures depicting Ramayana scenes on both northern and southern sides is seen in front of the Sannidhi (sanctum). Passing through the sanctum sanctorum, devotees have Lord Rama gracing them from a shrine. Sri Chakkarathzhwar 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 Navaneethakrishna playing his melodious flute also have shrines. There are shrines for Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi.

Some stone inscriptions were found in this temple. They are recorded in South Indian Inscriptions Volume 23, with serial numbers from 502 to 511. Most of the inscriptions that were found here do not belong to this temple. Few inscriptions talk about Tirutturutti Mahadeva of Pandiyur village. There are few inscriptions, which could not be dated, are believed to be of Pandya Kings, based on the symbols and King names. An inscription dated 1536/37 CE mentions a Karnataka King, Tirumala-I. There is one interesting inscription dated 1597 CE. It mentions about an order that was issued in the name of Goda (Andal), which is unique.

Religious Significance

Lord Vishnu awakened Lord Shiva from meditation by playing flute : Before ascending the throne in Madurai as King Sundara Pandiya after his wedding with Mother Meenakshi, Lord Shiva performed Puja to a Linga. He plunged deep in meditation. The heat and the flames that emanated from his body began to burn the world. Shocked and threatened, the Devas surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu for protection. Lord Vishnu knew that the flames could be brought down only if the meditation of Lord Shiva came to an end. He began playing his flute so melodiously that penetrated into the ears of Lord Shiva awaking him. Meditation ended. The world was saved. Pleased Lord Shiva asked Lord Vishnu that he should ever be with him playing the instrument. Lord Vishnu too was only happy to accept the offer. In the name of Lord Madanagopala Swami, he is in Madurai West Masi Street spreading his musical wind near the Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Shiva Temple.

Mother Andal visit to this Temple : On her way to Sri Rangam, Mother Andal visited this temple with Saint Periazhwar travelling in a palanquin and worshipped Lord Madanagopala Swami before merging in the divine body of Lord Perumal.

History

The original temple might have been built during the Pandya period. However, there is no evidence for that. None of the idols or building structure that exist today belong to Pandays. The current structure of the temple is believed to have been built in the middle of the 16th century CE by Madurai Nayakas.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:30 AM - 12:00 PM	05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757