Rajagopalaswamy, Mannarkudi is one of the largest and glorious temples of Tamilnadu. It has the largest temple tank (Haridra Theertham) with the sides measuring a total of 1.3 kilometers encompassing an area of over 10 hectares. The temple has 16 gopurams, 18 Vimaanas, 7 Prakarams, 7 Mantapas and 10 Theerthams some of which are large tanks and outside the temple. The temple walls run for a kilometer in length and is adorned with 4 beautiful Gopurams facing the four directions. The main eastern Rajagopuram is a massive 11 tiered structure, the south 7, west 9 and the north are 5 tiered gopurams. Apart from this there are other Gopurams leading to the inner Prakarams. After you enter the Rajagopuram you have the large open corridors – Nachiyar Prakaram, Sambaga Prakaram and Kasi Prakaram. There is a 1000 pillared and a 100 pillared mantapa. Outside the eastern Rajagopuram is the wonderful 54 feet tall Monolith Garudasthambam with a small shrine for Garuda on top. On the base of this are sculptures including Hanuman, Rajagopalaswamy, Achuthappa Naicker and his wife Moorthimamba. Many depictions from the Ramayana can be seen in the temple. The sculptures here are best described by an expert as they are so many and so beautiful. The Brahmotsavam which is for 10 days in other temples is celebrated grandly here for 18 days said to represent the 18 days of the Kurukshetra war and the 18 chapters of the Gita. The temple walls here are legendary in reference – ‘Mannarkudi Mathil Azhagu’ (Beauty of the Mannarkudi Walls).