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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 and
Indalur (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 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.
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.
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