Temples of India: Srirangam

 

Srirangam is one of the most famous and ancient historical temples. Srirangam is the foremost of eight swayam vyakta kshetrams of Sri Maha Vishnu. It is the first and most important 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Sri Mahavishnu.

On the banks of the Kavery River lies Srirangam. Actually, the rivers Kalladam and Kavery are round the island. Since Sri Ranganatha Swamy is the deity, the place came to be known as Srirangam. Other names for Srirangam include Bhooloka Vaikuntam, Periyakovil, Thiruvaranga Tirupati, and Bhogamandapam.

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 Murthy was brought to Bhooloka by Garudalwar from Vaikuntam when Lord Brahma did penance. After some time, Brahma gave the Murthy 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 could not lift the deity from that place and thus Vibhishana prayed to 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 times and bless you and you could be able to have my Darshan every day” Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy stayed here.

The Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple is a massive 156 acre in area, featuring 21 Gopurams and 7 Prakarams. The Rajagopuram has 12 kalasas and a total height of 236 feet. It is constructed in 12 stages. The Seventh Prakaram is 3072 feet long and 2321 feet wide, similar to a fort wall. Each of the seven prakarams has a unique name and construction. The name of the seventh prakaram is Chittarai Veedhi. In the east is Sri Krishna Mandir, while in the southwest is Sri Andal Sannidhi. Thiru Vikraman is the sixth prakaram Veedhi. Agalangan Thiruveedhi is the Fifth Prakaram. Along with numerous other upasannidhis, Sri Ranganayaki Ammavari Sannidhi is mentioned in this prakaram. Thiruveedhi Aatinandan is the fouth prakaram. The Kulasekhara Thiruveedhi is the name of the Third Prakaram.

The person who is ranked second is Rajamahendran Thiruveedhi.

The primary and crucial prakaram is Thiruveedhi Dharmavaran. In this prakaram is the main temple. Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy is reclaiming Adisesha of Seven Hoods in the main Garbhalayam. The Gayathri Mandapam, with its 24 pillars, is located in front of Garbhalayam. Every pillar stands for one of the 24 letters that make up the Gayathri Mantra. There is a Golden Vimanam in the main Garbhalayam.

It resembles the Tamil OM sign in shape.

There are 53 upasannidhi in addition to the major Sannidhis.

History

It is known from the historical evidence that the Temple was constructed during the 6th and 7th centuries AD. The kings of the 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 Tirumala temple. The temple was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara Kings in the 15th Century. The Glory of the temple began in 1571 AD. Among 12 Alwars 11 wrote 241 Pasurams on Sri Ranganatha Swamy of Srirangam.

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.