Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Introduction to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Of the 108 holy Vaishnavite temples, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the most prominent. It is situated at Srirangam in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu. Srirangam is otherwise called the Island city of Trichy. The city boasts spiritual and religious significance. Srirangam attracts devotees and tourists from all parts of the world. The temple is dedicated to Ranganatha (a form of Vishnu). In a reclined position, Ranganatha dwells in this holy abode that lies between the twin rivers, Cauvery and Kollidam. Thiruvaranga Tirupati is another name for the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

Legend of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

There are many compilations of legends related to the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. According to Sriranga Mahatmiyam, Rama, another avatar of Vishnu, worshipped the idol for a long time. After destroying Ravana, he returned and gave the idol to Vibhishana as a token of appreciation for supporting him in the battle.

When Vibhishana was going to Lanka via Trichy, the deity wanted to halt in Srirangam. King Dharma Varma was doing penance to have Ranganatha stay permanently in Srirangam and to cast his glance at Lanka eternally. The devotion of the king pleased Ranganatha, and he granted his prayers. The king built the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple later. According to history, that temple was submerged in the sands. It was rebuilt by King Killivalavan of the Chola dynasty.

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple had many additions to its original structure in the 16th, 17th, and 21st centuries.

The Architecture of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The entire Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. Spread over 155 acres, the temple has seven ramparts representing the seven chakras of our soul and body.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple has 81 halls, 39 great pavilions, and 21 magnificent domes. The walls of the temple contain over eight hundred inscriptions that offer insights into social influences and religious matters of the Middle Ages.

The bespoke architectural feature of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the 1000-pillared hall. This granite-structured hall was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and includes water tanks. The eight monolithic pillars, including splendid sculptures of warriors, are a treat to the eyes.

Devotees can see several temples of Vishnu in the forms of Narasimha, Rama, Krishna, and Chakratalwar. Thulabharam is an essential part of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple rituals. The divine physician Dhanvantri, considered to be an avatar of Vishnu, has a separate shrine here.

There are 50 temples, 21 gopurams, and 9 sacred water bodies inside the temple.

Festivals in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The temple conducts many festivals. For decades, many grand and monthly festivals have been celebrated here. There are colorful festivals on 322 days of the year.

• Vaikunta Ekadasi is the main festival held in the temple. It usually falls between December-January, i.e., Margazhi - Thai in Tamil month. Sorga vaasal Thirappu is the highlight of the festival. Devotees come from every corner of the world to worship Ranganatha and attain Moksha.
• Sri Krishna Jayanti is another famous festival in the temple that falls every year in September, i.e., Aavani month.
• During March – April, Panguni, Adhi Brahmotsava is conducted. Following it, Panguni Uthram is observed. The Chariot festival (Ratha Saptami) is also celebrated to welcome harvesting day. On this occasion, the Utsavar deity is taken in a procession around the temple in his vehicle.
• Magha Sudha Purnima is the full moon day in February-March (Tamil month of Magha). Devotees assemble and pray to Ranganatha, seeking forgiveness for any mistakes. Taking a bath in the sacred river, Cauvery, is very auspicious.

Benefits of Worshipping in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

• Ranganatha shows the way to Moksha. When offering prayers to him, he saves everyone from the wicked ways of Kali Yuga.
• His reclining posture on the Milky Ocean shows the exaltation of Shukra in Pisces (Meenam). Ranganatha's Janma Nakshatra is Revati, where the planet Shukra is exalted.
• Performing Shukra Dosha Pooja in the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple on Friday relieves the afflicted person from the negative effects of Shukra.