Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

TamilNadu, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai

On an islet surrounded by the flowing waters of Kaveri is the foremost of the self-manifested shrines of Lord Vishnu and the most important of Divyadesams, The Ranganathaswamy temple. The temple is mentioned in Tamil works of literature of the Sangam era, including the epic Silapadikaram. The inscriptions in the temple belong to the Chola, Pandya, Hoysala and Vijayanagar dynasties. The location where the Ranganathan idol was placed was once covered by deep forests A Chola king, accidentally found the idol and established the Ranganathaswamy temple.

The place was invaded by Malik Kafur and his forces in 1310–1311 and the idol of the deity was taken to Delhi. Devotees of Srirangam went to Delhi and moved by their performance, the emperor gifted them deity of Srirangam. However, Surathani, his daughter, went to Srirangam prostrated herself to the God in front of the sanctum sanctorum and is believed to have attained the heavenly abode immediately. Thinking that the deity had killed his daughter, Malik Kafur led a second invasion to Srirangam. Many people of Srirangam laid down their lives, and the deity was taken away before the troops came in. After nearly six decades, the presiding deity returned to Srirangam.

Legend

The legends regarding the temple describes that the deity was gifted to King Vibhishana by Lord Rama, as a token of appreciation for his support during the Rama-Ravana war. Vibhishana was travelling to Sri Lanka, via Trichy, when the Lord, pleased by the devotion of the Dharma Varma, who was praying to the Lord in Srirangam, decided to permanently stay here while promising to Vibhishana that he would always look upon Lanka. The deity hence faces south, its glance perpetually on the Lankan Kingdom.

Architecture

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the largest functioning temple complex in India. Built in Dravidian style of architecture, the tiered entrance gate, the rajagopuram, is the tallest in Asia. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick walls which run round the sanctum. Ayiram kaal mandapam (1000 pillared hall), shrines, mandapams, gopurams, sculptured pillars, stone carvings are all a sight to behold. The sanctum sanctorium is gold topped and enshrines the majestic deity of Sri Ranganthar reclining on Adisesha.

Picture Courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

General Darshan Timings :

9:00 AM to12:00 PM

1.15 PM to 6.00 PM

6.45 PM to 9.00 PM

There are 3 types of queue - Rs 250, Rs 50 and free.

Battery cars are available for elderly and those who cannot walk.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and traditional clothing. Western attire are not allowed in the temples of Tamil Nadu.

Famous Festival

March/April - Brahmotsavam
June/July - Jestabishekam
August/September - Pavithrothsavam
October/November - Oonjal
December/January - Vaikunda Ekadesi

Culture

Sriramgam, part of Tiruchirapally is an island bound by Kaveri and its distributary Kollidam. Srirangam is home to a significant population of Vaishnavites. Devotees come from all parts of India and abroad to visit the holy shrine of Ranganathaswamy.