Monday, February 4, 2013

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam is located about 7 km from Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) in Tamil Nadu, India. Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple is the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu, and also considered as one among the eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras (self-manifested shrines) of Lord Vishnu. According to Sri Vaishnava philosophy, the eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras of Lord Vishnu are Srirangam Temple, Srimushnam, Venkatadri, Saligram, Naimisaranyam, Totadri, Pushakara and Badrinath Temple.
Sree Ranganathaswamy Temple is also known by the names Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam and Bhogamandabam. Sri Ranganathar Temple at Srirangam lies on an island, enclosed by the Kaveri River and Kollidam River. Lord Vishnu is enshrined as Ranganatha - the reclining position of Lord Vishnu over the Shesha Nag (serpent Adisesha). It is believed that this is the form in which Lord Mahavishnu is open to listening to all of his devotee's woes, and blesses them. Lord Ranganatha or Ranganathar is also called by various names such as Nam-Perumal and Azhagiya Manavalan by the devotees.



Srirangam Temple Features and Architectural Grandeur

Built between 11th and 17th century, Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple occupies an area of 156 acres and is regarded as the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world. Please note that Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia is listed as the largest non-functioning Hindu temple in the world. Srirangam Vishnu Temple, renowned for its architectural grandeur, features 7 concentric walls, termed as prakarams and these walls are enclosed by 21 Gopurams. The 72m high 13 -tiered gopuram called Rajagopuram stands majestically above all other towers and is one of the tallest towers in Asia. It is said that the shore of Sri Lanka can be seen from the top of this Rajagopuram. The tower was built in 1987 and the other 20 gopurams were built between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Another awesome feature of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the Hall of 1000 Pillars which has beautifully carved stone pillars. The main sanctum which houses Lord Ranganatha has a golden Ranga Vimana and is set at the center of the inner most prakaram. Ranganatha, who is seen reclining on the serpent Adisesha, is flanked by his consorts Bhoodevi and Sridevi. The Seshagirirayar Mandapam, with exquisitely carved pillars and the 17th century Krishnavenugopala Temple adorned with sculptures dating back to Vijayanagara period are other attractions. A small temple museum exhibits fine sculptures. The complex also has shrines for the different forms of Lord Vishnu such as Sudarshana Chakra, Narasimha, Rama, Hayagreeva, Gopala Krishna. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Ranganayaki and other shrines for the major saints in the Vaishnava tradition, including Ramanuja.

Major Festivals in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

There are a number of major and minor festivals celebrated at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamilnadu. The festivals at Ranganathaswamy Temple include

Viruppan or Chithirai Ther in March - April (Tamil month Panguni or Pankuni)
Jestabishekam in June - July (Tamil month Aani or Ani)
Pavithrothsavam in August – September (Tamil month Avani or Aavani)
Srikrishna Jayanti or Krishna Janmashtami in August – September (Tamil month Avani or Aavani)
Oonjal in October - December (Tamil Month Aipasi or Aippasi or Ippasi)
Kaisiga Ekadasi in November – December (30 days before Vaikunta Ekadesi Festival)
Vaikunta Ekadasi in December - January (Tamil month Margazhi or Markali)

Ankurarpanam (Sprouting the seeds) and Nagarasothanai (Street Investigation) are other Hindu festivals celebrated here.

Visit this link to read more about Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival in Srirangam Temple. Read more about the importance of Vaikunta Ekadasi here.

Srirangam Temple Pooja Timing – Visiting Hours

Sri Ranganathar Temple is open for devotees from 06:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Sri Ranganathar Sannathi darshan timings include

Viswaroopa seva – 6.00 am to 07.30 am
Seva - 08:45 am to 01:00 pm
Seva - 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm
Seva - 06:45 pm to 08:000 pm
Seva - 08:00 pm to 09:00 pm

Devotees please note that the timings of darshan are subject to change on Festival Days.

How to reach Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

By Air / Flight

Tiruchirapalli International Airport or Trichy Airport, located on the NH 210 Tiruchirapalli - Rameswaram Highway, is the nearest airport (15 KM) to reach Srirangam Temple.

By Train / Railway Station

Srirangam Railway Station, situated on the Chennai - Kanyakumari Railway Line, is the nearest railway station. However the nearest major railway station is the Tiruchirapalli Junction Railway Station or Trichy Railway Junction, about 9 km from Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Tiruchirappalli Junction railway line is the major connection point to Chennai, Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Tirupathi, Madurai, Tuticorin, Rameswaram, Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Kochi, and Mangalore. The station also has trains to some of the major North Indian cities including Delhi, Howrah, and Kashmir.

By Road / Bus

Regular bus services are available to most parts of Tamilnadu from Srirangam.

1 comment:

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