Ranganathaswamy Temple
The Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the largest Temple in India, which is also called the Thiruvaranga Tirupati. This temple is one of the topmost Vaishnavite Temple in the country, which is situated at a distance of 12Km, on the northern side of Trichy. It is a island between the Kaveri and the Kollidam rivers, in which the Temple is coordinated to the east-west and the north-south axis.
History
Ranganathaswamy Temple is the most prominent Vaishnavite Temple in the South Indian History. The Architecture of the Temple date backs to the Tamil Hindu Rulers period. Here the stone inscriptions belong to the first millennium AD. Some inscriptions show that they belong to the period between the 9th and 16th century. Then the epigraphical proof tells that the Cholas, Nayaks, Pandyas, Vijayanagara and the Hoysalas had helped in the renovation of this Temple. This Temple had got some gifts from these rulers. For example, King Rajamahendra Chola had given the golden snake couch.
In the early period, the great Kings like Pallavas, Pandyas and Cholas allowed the devotional movements like the devotional dancing and the singing which was the part of the tradition. This movement was stopped in the 14th century and was reinitiated later. This Temple had given a significant role in Vaishnavism,which is known from the story of the saint Ramanujar of the 11th century and his ancestors.
Architecture
The Ranganathaswamy Temple has 17 main gopurams( gate towers) with 50 shrines, 39 pavilions, Ayiram Kaal Mandapam, 9 sacred water pools and the water tanks inside the Temple. In this Temple, the main deities are the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple(Incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Ranganayaki(incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi) who are seen in the inner sanctum with the golden vimanam. Then the other shrines of this Temple are the Narasimhar, Rama, Chakkarathazhwar, Gopala Krishna and Hayagreevar. this Temple covers an area of 155 acres with the 21 towers, 81 shrines and 39 pavilions which makes this as the largest Hindu Temple in the world.
This Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the largest Temple after the Angkor Wat Temple. In this Temple, the main structure belongs to the Tamil Kings period. Then the Sesharaya Mandapam built at the Nayakas period is a engraved Hall on the east side of the fourth prakaram. But the Ayiram Kaal Mandapam(Thousand Pillar Hall) made of granite which has a structure like the theatre, was built during the Vijayanagara period.
Then the Ranga Vilas Mandapam serves as the biggest community Hall, where the devotees sit along with their families for resting. On the courtyard, the Kilimandapam is found near the Ranganathaswamy sanctum. There is a Garuda Mandapam is named the vahanam(Vehicle) of Lord Vishnu, the Garuda.
Story of the Temple
In 1311A.D, as per the Arabic texts, the Muslim general Malik Kafur of the Ala ud Din Khiji along with his Delhi forces raided the Temple on Kaveri. This illegal raid by that Muslim Malik destroyed this Temple(as per the Steven Hopkins) and he took the golden icon along with him to Delhi.
As per the Tamil texts, there is a unique story. which tells how this golden icon came back to this Temple. A young girl made a promise to continue have fasting till she sees the Vishnu icon(golden icon). Once she followed the Muslim army, which went back to Delhi, after it had stolen wealth from the Temples. There she got into a Palace, where she saw the Sultan’s daughter had fallen in love with the image of the Golden icon.
After that, the young girl returned back to Srirangam and told the scene she saw in Delhi. On hearing this, the priests along with the musicians went to Delhi. There they saw the golden icon in a playful privilege Sultan’s daughter. They sang and danced in front of the Sultan to get back that golden idol. Then Sultan gave back that golden idol, which made her daughter sad. To convince her daughter, the Sultan had sent back his army to Srirangam to get that back, but that became vain.
When the Vijayanagara Empire, came to power in 1378, the idols of the Vishnu and the Lakshmi idols came to Srirangam through the Swami Vedanta Desikha. Before that the Priests had secretly shifted the idols in many parts of South India. Because the Muslim Sultanate came with the forces for the second time, to invade South India in 1323 A.D. Finally the idol was kept at the Tirupati Hills till the Temple was built again in 1371 A.D. Then the idol was purified and kept to its place.
Even today there is a tradition, in which the Thulukha Nachiyar(the Sultanate daughter) dressed with the Muslim Garments is offered food with Chappatis and butter in a place, where the golden idol of Lord is taken out from the sanctum. This place shows a young girl comes on a horse. They believe that the Sultan’s daughter came back following the priests on a horse after his father gave back the idol, denoting that the love gave back the idol to Srirangam.
Celebrations
The main Festival of this temple is Vaikunta Ekadasi, during which lakhs of devotees visit this temple. On this occasion, the opening of the Sorga Vaasal(door to heaven) is the special part. The other celebrations are the Brahmotsavam, Jyestabisheka, Rathothsavam and the Chitra Poornima.
Transport facilities You can reach this Temple, through the train, bus or flight. Since all the three modes of transport are available to reach the Trichy. The Trichy Airport is a distance of 9Km from the temple. Then you can travel by road transport to reach this Temple.
Location: Trichy(Thiruchirapalli), Tamil Nadu.
Timings: 5.00A.M to 9.30P.M (Timings may vary with special festivals)