Thirukkavalampadi (Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple), Thirunangur

Krishna (as Gopalakrishna, with Rukmini and Satyabhama) temple · Kavalambadi, Thirunangur area, near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

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Thirukkavalampadi, also known as the Gopalakrishna Perumal temple, is a Vishnu temple in the Thirunangur area of Sirkali taluk, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. Here Vishnu is worshipped as Gopalakrishna, Krishna the cowherd, with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the eleven Thirunangur Divya Desams praised by Thirumangai Alvar.

The name is traditionally connected with a garden: 'kavalam' is explained as a pleasure-garden or grove, and the temple legend tells how Krishna brought the celestial Parijata tree here for Satyabhama. Wikipedia places the temple about 10 km from Sirkazhi, on the way to Thiruvenkadu.

By the HinduTone Editorial Team · Last reviewed 1 November 2026. Editorial policy & corrections

Faith & Tradition

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Religious Significance of Thirukkavalampadi (Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple), Thirunangur

According to the commentary on Thirumangai Alvar's hymns published in the Sundarasimham-Ahobilavalli ebook series, the presiding deity is Gopalakrishnan and the consorts are named Madavaral Mangai and Sengamala Nachiyar. The ebook records the vimana as Svayambhu, the sacred tank as Thadamalar Poigai, and Vishvaksena, the commander of Vishnu's hosts, and Rudra as those to whom the Lord is believed to have appeared here.

Thirumangai Alvar's ten verses on this shrine all end with the refrain addressing 'Kanna' of Kavalampadi as his only refuge. The Sundarasimham commentary explains that, after praising the earlier Thirunangur shrines, the Alvar performs his act of surrender (saranagati) at this temple, and that the verses recall the rescue of the elephant Gajendra, the Trivikrama incarnation, the slaying of Vali and Ravana, and the bringing of the Parijata tree from Indra's garden.

Like the other Thirunangur shrines, the temple is linked to the legend of Vishnu appearing in eleven forms to calm Shiva's furious dance after the death of Sati at Daksha's sacrifice, as told by Wikipedia and Daily Thanthi. Wikipedia records that the temple follows the Tenkalai tradition of Sri Vaishnavism.

Heritage

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History of Thirukkavalampadi (Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple), Thirunangur

The sources consulted give no inscriptions or construction dates for this temple. Its inclusion in Thirumangai Alvar's Periya Thirumozhi shows that it was already a recognised shrine in the Alvar period, and Wikipedia notes its mention in later works including the 108 Tirupathi Anthathi. The Wikipedia article on the Nangur group states that the oldest of the eleven temples date to the reign of the Chola king Parantaka I, without specifying which.

The temple legend, as recounted by Wikipedia and the Sundarasimham commentary, links the place to Krishna and Satyabhama. When Indra refused Satyabhama a flower of the celestial Parijata tree, Krishna is said to have taken the tree from Indra's garden; tradition holds that a garden like Indra's was laid out here for Satyabhama. Wikipedia also gives an alternative explanation of the name, from 'kavalam' (elephant) and 'padi' (place), linked to a story of Krishna saving an elephant here.

Architecture and sacred features

According to Wikipedia, the temple is built in the Dravidian style, with a small shrine under a vimana and a three-tiered gopuram. A Garuda shrine stands outside the gopuram, on the axis of the central shrine, and the temple has only two major shrines: one for Gopalakrishna and one for his consorts.

Plan Your Visit

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Darshan and Visitor Information

This is a small village temple and may be closed between the morning and evening worship periods; the priest may look after more than one shrine. Crowds are very large during the Garuda Sevai in Thai. Dress modestly and follow the directions of temple staff. Confirm current opening times with the temple or the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department before travelling.

Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.

Sacred Calendar

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Festivals at Thirukkavalampadi (Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple), Thirunangur

Thai (January–February), around the new moon

Thirunangur Garuda Sevai (Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam)

The festival image of Gopalakrishna is carried to Thirunangur to join those of the other ten shrines on Garuda vahanas, while Thirumangai Alvar's hymns for each shrine are recited. Daily Thanthi lists Sri Gopala Krishnan of Thirukkavalampadi among the eleven.

Location

How to Reach Thirukkavalampadi (Gopalakrishna Perumal Temple), Thirunangur

Wikipedia places the temple about 10 km from Sirkazhi on the way to Thiruvenkadu. Dinamalar's entries for the neighbouring Thirunangur temples give Sirkazhi as the nearest railway station and Tiruchirappalli as the nearest airport. The main group of Thirunangur temples, including Thirumanimadam, lies a short distance to the south-west.

Dinamalar's entries for the neighbouring Thirunangur temples suggest Mayiladuthurai as a base for accommodation, and note that buses reach the villages only at certain times.

Location: Kavalambadi, Thirunangur area, near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per Dinamalar's entries for the neighbouring Thirunangur temples)

Nearest railway station: Sirkazhi (about 10 km, per Wikipedia)

More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Krishna (as Gopalakrishna, with Rukmini and Satyabhama) temples · Temples in Mangaimadam · Temples in Sirkazhi Taluk · Temples in Mayiladuthurai District

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Questions

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