Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam
There are several famous Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temples in India. Among them, Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple located in Srirangam is one of the most famous and ancient historical temples. Srirangam is the foremost of eight swayam vyakta (Self-manifested) kshetrams of Sri Maha Vishnu.
Srirangam – Location
It is the first and most important of 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Sri Mahavishnu. Srirangam is at a distance of 12 kilometres from Tiruchunapalli town and 325 Kilometers from Chennai, the State Capital of Tamil Nadu.
Srirangam is on the banks of river Kavery. It is an island bounded by the rivers Kavery and Kalladam. As the deity is Sri Ranganatha Swamy, this place came to be known as Srirangam. Srirangam is also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakovil, Bhooloka Vaikuntam and Bhogamandapam.
Click here for the temple’s location on Google Maps
Sthalapurana / Legend
There is an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and God. The details of this kshetram are found in the Srirangamahatmyam. As per it, Sri Ranganatha Swamy is Swayambhu and the moorthy was brought to Bhooloka by Garudalwar from Vaikuntam when Lord Brahma did penance.
After some time, Brahma gave the Moorthy to Ikshwaku Maharaja. In Trethayuga, after the battle between Rama and Ravana and after Sri Rama was coronated Sri Rama gave the deity to Vibhishana. As Vibhishana was on the way to Lanka, he placed the deity at the present place where the temple is now located. After some time he was not able to lift the deity from that place and thus Vibhishana pray God with despair.
Sri Ranganatha Swamy was pleased with his prayer and blessed Vibhishana saying, “I am pleased with your devotion; I will see Southside at all time and bless you and you could be able to have my Darshan every day” Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy stayed here.
Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple Structure
Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple is very big having 156 acres in extent with Seven prakarams and 21 Gopurams. The Rajagopuram is built in 12 tiers with 236 feet total height and 12 kalasas. The Seventh Prakaram is like a fort wall having 3072 feet in length and 2321 feet in width.
The Seven prakarams have separate names and various structures.
- The Seventh prakaram is named as Chittarai Veedhi. We can see Sri Krishna Mandir in the east and Sri Andal Sannidhi in the southwest.
- The Sixth prakaram is Thiru vikraman veedhi.
- The Fifth prakaram is Agalangan Thiruveedhi. In this prakaram Sri Ranganayaki Ammavari Sannidhi is there along with many other upasannidhis.
- Aatinandan Thiruveedhi is Fouth prakaram.
- The Third Prakaram is called as Kulasekhara Thiruveedhi.
- The Second prakaram is Rajamahendran Thiruveedhi.
- The First and important prakaram is Dharmavaran Thiruveedhi. The main temple is located in this prakaram.
Gayathri mandapam
In the main Garbhalayam we find Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy reclining on Adisesha of seven hoods. In front of Garbhalayam there is 24 pillared mandapa called as Gayathri mandapam. Each of the pillars represents each of the 24 letters of the Gayathri Mantra.
The main Garbhalayam has a Golden Vimanam. It is shaped like the Tamil OM symbol. Along with the main Sannidhis, there are 53 upasannidhis.
History of the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple
It is known from the historical pieces of evidence that, the Temple was constructed during the 6th and 7th Century AD. The kings of Chola, Pallava, Pandya and Vijayanagara empires built various parts of the temple.
During the Delhi Sultan’s invasion in the 14th Century, the Mulaviraattu was kept underground and the idols of the Utsava deities were kept in the Tirumala temple. The temple was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara Kings in the 15th Century. The Glory of the temple begins in 1571 AD.
Among 12 Alwars 11 wrote 241 Pasurams on Sri Ranganatha Swamy of Srirangam.
Sevas
Annual Brahmotsavams will be celebrated in the month of Dhanurmasam for twenty days in a grand style. Various vahana sevas and Rathotsavam and kalyanam will be performed to the Lord during Brahmotsavams grandly.
In March / April 10 days, Brahmotsavams will be celebrated. Along with this, special poojas will also be performed on festival days.
Accommodation and Travel Facilities
Accommodation facilities are available at Yatri Nivas run by the temple and other Mutts and in Private Lodges too. There are Bus and Train Facilities from various towns and cities of Tamil Nadu. Tiruchirapalli is well connected with Road, Rail and Air routes.
A Visit to the temple of Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy in Srirangam gives peace and joy to the devotees.
