SRIRANGAM RANGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE

Lakhs of devotees enter the gate way of plenty and prosperity on
Vaikunta Ekadasi day-

-V. Shanmuganathan



Sri Rangam is the first and foremost among the 108 Vaishnava Holy
places called divyadesas. The temple is gigantic in size and in the
shape of pranava. The temple complex spreads over 156 acres of land.
It has seven Prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by
thick and huge rampart walls which run round to sanctum. The total
length of these seven walls is 32,592 feet or over six miles. There
are magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any
Visitor. The latest addition is the 236 feet high stupendous thirteen
tired Rajagopuram built at the southern rampart by the late 44th
Jeeyar of Sri Ahobila Mutt and consecrated in the year 1987 in a grand
manner. Famous music composer Ilayaraja contributed huge amount for
the construction of most beautiful Temple Tower. SRIGANGAM temple has
a main shrine where the Lord Ranganatha is found in a lying posture.
It is a charming idol of beauty and grace. There are also subshrines
for Rama, Krishna, Andal, Mahalakshmi, Hanuman, Garuda etc and for all
the acharyas. The temple is garlanded by the Twin Rivers Kaveri and
Kollidam. The temple is believed as Vaikuntam itself, the abode Lord
Vishnu where he sits in all splendour and majesty. The true worship of
Lord Vishnu, according to the belief of devotees, brings all benefits
unattainable else where. The four towers are compared to the four
Vedas, as the fountain head of knowledge. Chola king who ruled from
‘Uraiyur’ was a devotee of the temple. He cleared the forest,
constructed all the essential parts of the temple, laid down flower
gardens, instituted temple services and forms of worship.



Architecturally the temple of Srirangam is unique among the great
temples of south India. The sculptures found in the temple are some of
the finest. The 1000 pillared mandapa, Horse court, Garuda  Mandapa,
Ranga  Vilasam, Vasantha Mantapa, the mirror room are worth seeing.
References to the greatness of this place abound in Tamil literature
starting from the sangam  works. Silappathikaram, a great Tamil epic
beautifully describes the sayanam (lying posture) of Sri Ranganatha.
Kambar, the great Tamil poet, had the rehearsal of his Ramayana done
in this temple.







With the rise of Buddhism and Jainism, there arose a strong Vaishnava
resurgent movement. It was spearheaded by the Alwars who brought
religion to the heart of the people.  They composed the exuberant
devotional songs called “Nalayira Divya Prabandham’. They visited the
shrines and sung songs in praise of the Lord Vishnu. Those temples are
called holy places or Divya Desas.



The Kings and their Chiefs vied with one another in bestowing the
respect on the temple by the gifts of land and gold. After the Cholas,
the pallavas, Pandyas, the Hoysula and the Vijayanagar Emperors and
the Nayak Kings took care of the shrine and made significant
donations. One Chola king gifted 30 gold lamps and 1000 holed gold
plate was offered for performing ‘Sahasra dhara’ abhishekam.



Malik Kafur invaded south India during 14th century and captured
Tiruchirapalli. Fearing destruction at their hands, the priests of
Srirangam Temple removed the deity to Tirupathy and kept it for some
time there. After the Mohamedans left Trichirapalli, it was thought
safe to bring the deity back to Srirangam. This was done by Gopnna
Udaiyar, the chief of Gingee. Gopanna took the deity from Tirupati and
brought it to Srirangam and reinstalled it in the temple after
performing the consecration ceremony. This was done in A D 1371-72. An
inscription in the temple testifies to this fact.   There are plenty
of inscriptions which throw considerable light on the Vijaya Nagar
emperors’ devotion to the temple. A continuous flow of high
dignitaries from the Empire frequented the temple and made offerings
on a big scale.



Tamilnadu state is ruled by non believers for more than four decades.
They have burnt copies of Ramayan and publicly destroyed Vinayaka
idols. But they could not stop the devotees from visiting the temple.
Day by day spirituality and religious faith is increasing in an
enormous way. This year, lakhs of devotees will be visiting SRI RANGAM
temple on Vaikunta Ekadasi day, that falls on 17th Decembers
2010.Because it is considered as very auspicious and spiritually
excellent for meditation.



Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival in Srirangam Temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the tamil month of margashish. One of the
main doors which is normally kept closed through out the year is
thrown open only on the morning of this day. It is widely believed
that the gates to Vaikunta – the abode of  Mahavishnu – is opened on
Ekadasi day. Scores of devotees Queue up to pass through the gate way
of plenty and prosperity. Gifting a copy of Bhagavad Gita to a
deserving person on this day will bring profound blessings of Lord
Krishna. Ancient texts recommends that the mornings in this month are
ideal for worship of Lord Krishna.



There is a nice incident telling about the removal of untouchability.
Thiruppanalwar was a dalit. In those days, he could not enter the
temple as a dalit. He used to worship Lord Ranganatha standing at a
distance and sing devotional songs. Sri Ranganatha in order to bless
this devotee appeared in the dream of a priest and asked him to carry
the dalit Saint on his shoulders to his very presence in the temple.
It was done and that Saint attained bliss.



The devotees expression of reverence and adoration for main deity is
remarkable. The worshippers firmly believes that SRIRANGAM is earthly
heaven.