Srirangam

Srirangam is beautiful island surrounded by river Cauvery and Kollidam(tributary of Cauvery). srirangam is 8 miles in length and 4 miles in breadth. The population of Srirangam is about 50 thousands. It is 7 km from Trichy junction and it also has a railway station. The island town is surrounded by 7 walls. Sri Renganatha swami temple is one of the famous vaishnavite temples in India. There are 21 gopurams, the rajagopuram (principal tower) is largest gopuram in south India.  The 72m high, 13-tiered gopuram (towers) was built  in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles  around,  while  the  remaining  20

gopurams were built, between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Srirangam is a holy place. Importantly for vaishnavates, because, their God Vishnu is in the name of “Renganathar” in a sleeping posture (called Anantha sayanam), which could not be seen any where else like this. Srirangam has got importance because of Renganathar temple. The Geographic location of this island between Rivers cauvery and kolidam is also a reason. There is a flower market in this place called as “sathara veedhi” from where flowers and Garlands are exported to various foreign countries.

A Garden which grows mangoes is also here. The name of that is “Thatha Chariyar Gardens”. They export tons of mangoes every year. There are totally five matriculation schools, Three Government aided schools and six primary schools providing an excellent education. This place is famous for Residential apartments. There are more than five hundred apartments in this place. Bus services are available round the clock to reach srirangam. Numerous taverns and inns are here to accommodate large number of tourists. Three art galleries are present where; people forget themselves in the beauty of antiques and crafts.

Location: Srirangam near Tiruchirappalli (Chola Naadu) Vishnu: Ranganathar, Azhagiya Manavaalan, Nam Perumaal Taayaar: Ranganayaki  Theertham: Chandra Pushkarini  Paasuram : All the Alwars with the exception of Madhurakavi Vimaanam: Pranavaakriti Vimaanam Travel Base: Tiruchirappalli

Description: This is the foremost of the 108 shrines glorified by the Alwars; all of the Alwars with the exception of Madhurakavi Alwar have sung of its glory. It is the one of the greatest centers of the Sri Vaishnava religion and among the most visited pilgrimage centers in India. Undoubtedly the largest temple in India, and one among the grandest, it is a treasure house of art  freezing various architectural styles over a period of time. It boasts of the tallest temple tower in India. Referred to as heaven on earth it is an ancient  center of worship - vibrant with tradition and festivals. The Pancharanga Kshetrams along the course of the Kaveri are Srirangapatnam (Karnataka), Srirangam, Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbhakonam andIndalur (Mayiladuturai). Srirangam is very closely associated with Ramanujacharya, the beacon of the Sri Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. Tiruvanaikka or Jambukeswaram, one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (associated with the primary element water) of Shiva, is located in the vicinity. Srirangam is located near Tiruchirappalli in Tamilnadu.Deities: Ranganathar is enshrined in a reclining posture (facing the South); while Namperumaal the festival deity in a standing posture is also housed in the main sanctum. There is a shrine in the fourth prakaram, housing Ranganayaki Taayaar. Traditions: Araiyar Sevai, one of the ancient devotional art traditions of Tamilnadu, involving the expressive recitation of the Divya Prabandams, using movement, music originated here under the auspices of Nadamuni (10th century CE). Araiyar sevai is performed also at Srivilliputtur, Alwar Tirunagari and Melkote (Karnataka). The famous tamil literary work Kamba Ramayanam premiered here at Srirangam. The Temple: This temple enshrines Ranganathar in the central sanctum, crowned with a gold plated Pranava Vimanam or Paravasudeva Vimanam. A total of 7 concentric prakarams surround this shrine, housing several mandapams, tanks and shrines. The area enclosed by the outermost wall is over a hundred ares. Gopurams on the south and east of the 4th prakaram are the most impressive. A total of 21 towers adorn the temple. The Srirangam temple tradition is an ancient one. The Silappadikaaram of the Sangam period refers to Srirangam. All of the Alwars (with the exception of Madhurakavi) have sung in praise of Srirangam. The first (surviving ) stone inscription dates back to the period of Parantaka Chola (924 CE). The pillars here go back to the Chola period (13th century CE). The 1000 pillared hall is also the product of the late chola period, and is also in the 4th prakaram; its entrance is in the south. It is here where the adhyayanotsavam (involving the recitation of the Tamil Prabandam hymns)  is held. At the southern edge of the huge open courtyard, the Vijayanagara rulers added the hall with 8 pillars with huge horses. The Krishna Venugopala shrine on the southern side is also of great beauty.  The Garuda mandapam s located   in the third prakaram.. Its pillars go back to the Nayaks of 17th century Madurai. The Chandra and Surya Pushkarini tanks are located in the 3rd prakaram. Legends: Legend has it that the image of Ranganatha worshipped here, was originally worshipped by the clan of the Ishwakus, and it passed on to Rama. Rama upon his victorious return from Lanka, handed over this image to Vibhishana, who proceded to Lanka with the image. Circumstances caused him to place this image on the banks of the Kaveri, where Srirangam now is. ) A disappointed Vibhishana returned to SriLanka with the consolation that the image of Ranganatha at SriRangam would face South - in the direction of Lanka. A Chola monarch by name Dharmavaraman is said to have created a temple here. Legend also has it that the original temple was flooded by the Kaveri and was rediscovered by a later Chola emperor. History:  Temple life at Srirangam evolved after Nadamuni (923 - 1023 CE) compiled the hymns of the Alwars and gave them a musical form. During Ramanuja’s time (12th century CE), Srirangam was a well established institution. The Pandya rulers, from the 13th century onwards gave the temple, immeasurable support; the gold plating of the vimanam being first of their endowments. The Hoysala kings, who set up a military base outside Srirangam also made contributions. The temple was desecrated by the Delhi armies in 1313, and was closed for 60 years. From the end of the 14th century, the temple came back to life, and much of what is seen today is a result of  the rebuilding activity which heppened during the time of the Vijayanagar rulers. Festivals: An elaborate protocol of worship services is offered here throughout the day. On about 120 days, the Utsavamurthy is taken out in procession out of the inner sanctum. Aadi bhrammotsavam is celebrated in Panguni. The grand Adhyayanotsavam is celebrated in the month of Margazhi, involving the recitation of the Prabandham hymns or Alwar Pasurams in the thousand pillared hall. Also in Srirangam is the Dasavataram temple, the only one of its kind, enshrining the ten incarnations of Vishnu along with Lakshmi Narasimhar and Vishwaksenar. This temple was built by Tirumangaialwar and is now under the administration of the Ahobila Mutt.. The Tirumangaimannan festival is celebrated here.

Srirangam Renganatha Temple History

Srirangam Ranganathar( gold)

The history of the holy place srirangam is thousands of years old. To explain it, One has to look backward the history of entire tamilnadu where an advancement in civilization was seen. The inscriptions of this place gives in formation about the life style of tribal who where living here quite long before, Aryans entered the Asian subcontinent-india. Initially chola’s domination was seen, when Trade relationship of tamilnadu was good with many south Asian countries especially with china. Chola’s were the barriers to mauryas to stop entering them. That period dates to 3 BC. Later, Guptas and chalukyas were dominant. out of chalukkyas pulikesi II was a diplomatic dictator.  Architectural beauties were a dream in those days.  But pallavas, By start of 4th century made it real. Their excellence could be seen in temples like Mahabalipuram in Chennai and Rockfort temple of Trichy . Chola’s of Thanjavur again came in to the scene by 9th century and built many important temples. The Brahadishwara temple of Thanjavur built by RajaRaja chola and the Gangaikonda cholapuram temple Built by his son Rajendra chola are best examples. Chola dynasty end up in 14th century and then pandyas took charge. Pandyas even though were capable of with standing the encounters from mugal emperors; at last sinked. But mugal empire was not seen for more years, as Vijayanagar Empire started up. They started ruling their region individually from 1602 AD. After wards the Portuguese entered and were ruling fore some years. Even though Portuguese, French, Dutch and Britishers wanted to capture the region and also the whole country, it was English men who were ruling the country for more than three centuries till independence. Srirangam Origin and Development The vimana of srirangam temple originally came out of “parkadal” with the powers of brahma dava. The incarnation of lord Vishnu called Ramavathara has performed poojas to this vimana. But as a symbol of love he gifted this vimana to vibishana (brother of Ravana). With a condition, to not to keep that on earth. While he took this vimana and was traveling towards srilanka, lord vinayaka played a trick and made that to stick on the region now called srirangam, on the banks of river cauvery. Then chola kings namely dharmavarcholan and killivalavan developed the shrine into big temple seen now. They have laid the Basic foundations and primary Buildings. Srirangam Temple is located at 10’52 Degrees North and 78’43 Degrees East in Between the Rivers cauvery and kolidam. There are seven wall streets around this temple called as the saptha prakarams. This is the only temple in world to have seven prakarams. The area of this temple is 156 sq km and Round about area is nearly 10710 sq feet. Out of seven prakarams four are seen inside the temple and three are outside. They are namely Uthra Street, Chitra Street and Adayavalanjan Street. There is a large tower on the south side called Rajagopuram which is the highest temple tower of south asia. Including that there are totally 26 Gopurams (Towers) on the four sides of Temples. There are totally three entrances for this temple. South, North and East entrances are those. There is a full fledged Transportation arrangement to visit this place and so Buses are available 24 hours a day. Other important sannathis (Temples) in srirangm temples other than perumal (the principal deity) are namely. (a) Thayar sannathi (b) Chakkarathazwar sannathi (c) Udayavar (Ramanujar sannathi) (d) Garudalwar Sannathi (e) Veliandal Sannathi (f) Ul Andal Sannathi But totally there are 53 additional small temples called upa-sannathis this in this large temple complex called srirangam. about temple The Shehsaraya Mandapa (Horsecourt Hall) is on the east side of the temple. It has 8 intricately carved monolithic pillars of men on rearing horses. On the same side of the temple (northeast side) is the impressive "Hall of a Thousand Pillars." Each of the 5.5m (18 ft) granite pillars is intricately carved. This hall actually has only 953 pillars. In the center of the hall is a pedestal shaped like a processional car. During Vaikuntha Ekadasi, the processional deity is brought to this pedestal before going on procession. Each morning at 6.45 am, a cow with her head facing away from Lord Ranganatha and an elephant facing the cow are brought before the altar. Thus when the deity's doors are opened the first thing that Lord Ranganatha sees is the rear end of a cow and the head of an elephant, which are both considered very auspicious. I was told that instead of a conch-shell being blown, the elephant blows his trunk. This is the most auspicious time to see Lord Ranganatha. Sri Narasimha. You then exit out the north gate and reach the goddess Sri Ranga Nachiyar Lakshmi Temple, on your left, in the northeast area of the temple. Lakshmi is the consort of Ranganatha. In the center hall of the temple there is a diorama of Sri Chaitanya and a deity of Lord Jagannath carved by Lord Chaitanya Himself. The family descendants of Vyenkata Bhatta still live in Srirangam Ramanuja's samadhiSri Ramanujacarya made the Srirangam Temple his headquarters. His samadhi (tomb) is within the premises of the Srirangam Temple ....When Ramanuja finished speaking, his disciples asked him that they would not be deprived of the sight of his transcendental form. Ramanuja accepted their request and ordered that expert sculptors be brought there to carve deity in his likeness. After three days the work was finished. Then the deity was bathed with water from the Kaveri river and installed upon newly constructed altar. Yatiraja then came slowly up to the deity and filled it with his potency by breathing into the crown of the head... The main deity is Lord Ranganatha, or Lord Vishnu, reclining on Sesa Naga. He is 6.4 m (21 ft) long. Lord Ranganatha is in a recumbent pose with his right shoulder facing south. He is on a couch provided by the coils of the celestial serpent Adi Sesa, who has five raised and wide-open hoods. Near his feet are seated his two consorts, Sri Bhu and Sri Neela. In front of Lord Ranganatha is the utsava-murti of Lord Vishnu, called Sri Manavala Perumal. This deity is taken out of the temple for processions. Along side Lord Ranganatha is Tiruvaranga, who was worshiped as a substitute during the Muslim period, when the original could not be found. At the feet of the Lord is Vibhi-shana, the brother of Ravana.