Location Details
Temple Name – Sri Ranganatha Temple
Main deity – Lord Vishnu
Location – Srirangam, Near Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
Introduction
Built across a massive area of 2.5 square kilometers, the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple is also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Bhoologa Vaikundam, Periyakoil and Bhogamandapam. Located in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, in the reclining form of Lord Ranganatha. Temple boasts the highest temple tower or Gopuram, known as Rajagopuram, in the entire Asia. The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple is also believed to be one of the most significant Svayam Vyakta Kshetras (Self Manifested Shrines) of Lord Vishnu as well as one of the most significant of the 108 Divya Desams.
Deity Worshipped
The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha Swami, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture) and the main idol of Lord Ranganatha Swami is known as Nam-Perumal (Our Lord) and Azhagiya Manavalan (the handsome groom) in Tamil. The other deities of the temple are Boomadevi, Utchava Ranga Nachiyar and Sridevi. There are also numerous other shrines dedicated to various incarnations of Lord Vishnu such as Chakra Thazhwar, Anjaneya, Ramanuja, Venugopal, Narasimha etc.
Ramanuja and Srirangam
Ramanujacharya, the eminent Vaishnavite scholar, had attained divinity in this temple. He played a very significant role in propagating the popularity of the temple. The efforts of Ramanujacharya towards the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple are amply reflected in the artistic works he had contributed to the temple. The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple hosts a shrine dedicated to Ramanujacharya in the fourth prakara of the temple. In the idol dedicated to Ramanujacharya, he is portrayed as seated in the Padmasana, with his right palm depicting the Gyana-Mudra. Ramanuja had also established the codes and regulations of the temple, which is compiled in the Kovil Ozhugu.
Archeological facts
The walls of the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple abound in inscriptions, which provide us with a detailed account of the social, economic, political and religious conditions of the time. The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has over 254 inscriptions which assist in understanding the Vijayanagar society. Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has also been referred to in the texts of the Sangam Literature. The temple has been highly praised by the divine saints of the Tamil Bhakti Movements, also known as the Alwars. Even the Advaita, Vishistadvaita and the Dvaita scholars have glorified this temple.
History
The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has a rich historical past, owing to it being the headquarters of the Vaishnava Acharyas. Sri Vaishnava Acharya, Nathamuni is believed to have spent a considerable amount of effort and time in the management of the temple. The Hymns of Thirumalisai Alvar makes explicit references to the temple of Srirangam and its ambience.
It was Thirumangai Alwar who had taken the initiative to renovate the temple structure and the Dasavatara Shrine. Thirumalisai Alvar also played a crucial role in establishing the Adhyayanothsavam. Subsequently, the Pallavas, and later Cholas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Emperors, the Hoysalas and the Nayak Kings patronized and maintained the temple. The Uttamanabhis family of Srirangam has long been associated with the management and administration of the temple. Currently the administration of the temple is under the direct control of the Hindu Management and Endowment Board.
Scriptural references
Amongst the numerous legends associated with the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple, the one mentioned in the religious compilation, Sriranga Mahatmiyam, details the story of how the Ranga Vimanam was installed in the temple. As per the account, Lord Vishnu in a state of deep trance received the gift of Ranga Vimanam from the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord also explained to Lord Brahma that there would be seven other abodes with such idols i.e. Venkatadri (Tirumala), Srirangam, Srimushnam Saligram (Muktinath), Totadri, Naimisaranya, Badrinath and Pushkara. The Ranga Vimana idol passed over from Brahma to Viraja, Vaiswatha Manu, Ishwaku, Lord Rama and finally King Vibhishana (gifted by Lord Rama for his loyalty in the war against Ravana). While King Vibhishana was travelling with the idol, the Lord expressed his request to stay over at Srirangam. A Chola King later rediscovered the idol from dense forest and established the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple in its present form.
Cultural Significance
The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has immense cultural significance, owing to the fact that the temple and the lifestyle of the people are very much intertwined with each other. It is also widely believed that Sriman Narayana dwells in this temple instead of his abode in Vaikuntham. The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has the unique distinction of being praised by all the Alwars and has 247 Pasurams or hymns dedicated to it.
Temple details
Spread across an area of over 156 acres, the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has seven Prakaras or enclosures, which are also known as Tiru Veedhis. The enclosures are formed by thick walls running to a length of over six miles. Each of the Prakaras has magnificent towers and also consists of seven rectangular concentric enclosures around the sanctum sanctorum. In total there are 21 towers, which encompass the entire town of Srirangam. The tallest of these towers is the one on the southern side of the town, which is also known as the Rajagopuram. The unfinished gopuram of the seventh enclosure is also known as the Rayagopuram. All the processional cars of the temple are housed in the sixth enclosure. The fifth enclosure consists of the shrine of Manavala Munigal. The fourth enclosure hosts the temple of Venugopala Krishnan. The second enclosure is abundant with natural light and one has to pass through the Southern Aryabhattal to reach it. The first enclosure hosts the images of Sankhanidhi, Padmanidhi, the conch and the lotus of Lord Vishnu and one has to pass through the Nazhikettan Gopura to reach it.
Besides the above mentioned features, the Thirumamani Mandapam, Hall of Thousand Pillars, is one of the attractive features of the temple. Opposite this hall lies the Sesha Mandap, which hosts magnificent and exquisite sculptures. In the Vaishnavite parlance, the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple is also referred to as Koil.
Festivals
The major festivals at the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple are as follows:
- Vaikunta Ekadashi: The most important festival of the temple, Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated in the months of December-January. The festival is divided into two parts of ten days each i.e. pagal pathu and ra pathu. The splendidly attired idol of Lord Ranganatha reaches the temple through Paramapada Vasal on the Ekadasi day and then reaches the Thirumamani Mandapam. Thousands of ardent devotees celebrate the occasion with great fervor and throughout the night.
- Jestabishekam: On this occasion the Periya Perumal is applied with a special herbal concoction prepared in the temple itself. The Jestabishekam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aani i.e. the months of June-July and the occasion is believed to cleanse the impurities of the soul.
- Pavithrothsavam: Pavithrothsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aani i.e. the months of August-September, and is dedicated to rectify the blemishes in the daily rituals of the Lord.
- Sri Jayanti: This festival is celebrated on the occasion of Lord Krishna’s birthday and rituals performed for all the images of Lord Krishna hosted in the temple.
- Oonjal: Celebrated in the Tamil Month of Aipasi i.e. the months of October-December, the festival is also known as Dolothsavam. The festival is celebrated to rectify the blemishes in the swing.
- Kaisiga Ekadasi: This festival is celebrated thirty days prior to the Ekadasi and it is believed that the Lord himself comes to the Santhana Mandapam, where Thirumanjanam is performed in his dedication.
- Other festivals celebrated in the Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple are Viruppan and Ankurarpanam.
Offerings
To propitiate Lord Ranganatha Swami, a very significant ritual, known as Thulabharam, is performed. As per the ritual, items such as rice, turmeric, dhal, sugar, coins, jiggery, sugar candy etc. equivalent to the weight of the devotee are offered. Devotees can collect items as per their wishes from the Thirukottaram (Granary) and perform the Thulabharam either by collecting slips or by carrying the items to the Lord themselves.
Timings
Darshan timings of Sri Ranganatha Temple are 07.30 am to 01.00 pm and 04.00 pm to 08.00 pm