SRIRANGAM - THE LEADING VAISHNAVA TEMPLE IN SOUTHINDIA

   

Srirangam, the leading Vaishnava temple in South India, is the foremost among the 108 divya desams. All the Azhwars have sung praises of the deity enshrined in this temple. In Vaishnava parlance, the term “koyil’ refers specifically to the Srirangam temple. Located near Trichy on an island formed by the rivers Cauvery and Kolledam, the massive temple of Srirangam stands tall.

It has a main shrine for Lord Ranganatha, also called Nam Perumal, in a reclining posture on Adisesha. The Thayar is Ranganayaki with a shrine in the fourth prakaram. The sacred water is Chandra pushkarini and the sanctum sanctorum pranavaakriti vimanam.  In Srirangam, there is the Dasavathara temple, the only one of its kind enshrining all the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

According to Sriranga Mahathmyam, the glittering Sriranga Vimana sprang as a result of the tapas of Brahma in the depths of the milky ocean. It was borne by the celestial bird Garuda. Adisesha had spread his hood over it.

Brahma found Lord Vishnu resting on Adisesha, and was informed that He had come as swayamvyakta – on his own as an idol. He would also appear likewise in seven other places on earth – Srimushnam, Venkatadri, saligram, Naimisaranya, Thotadri, Pushkar, and Badri.  Ranga vimana is the first and earliest of all these. Brahma carried the vimana to satyaloka and installed it on the banks of the river, Viraja. He appointed the Sun God to perform the daily worship. Responding to the prayers of the king of Ayodhya of Ikswaku race (Surya vamsam) Brahma permitted him to take the vimanam to Ayodhya

Thus the vimana came to Ayodhya. After Ikshvaku, his descendants continued the service of worshipping the Lord. Rama, himself an avatara of the Lord in the Ikshwaku race, worshipped Ranganatha, and thereafter Lord Ranganatha came to be known as “Periya Perumal”. On his triumphant return to Sri Lanka and during his coronation, Rama gave the vimana as a gift to Sri Vibheeshana for worship.

When Vibheeshana set out for SriLanka, he got down on the Kaveri banks to perform his midday prayers. He placed the Ranga vimana at a place known as “Sesha Peetam’ (srirangam) near the Chandra pushkarini. Later, when he tried to lift the vimana, it would not move as it got stuck. When Vibeeshana was overcome with grief, the Lord appeared before him and consoled him, saying that He had already decided to make this place His abode, and Vibeeshana could come and worship him daily. It is said that even today Vibheeshana worships the Lord daily at midnight.

All the Azhwars except Madhurakavi Azhwar have composed pasurams in praise of the Lord in this kshetram. Vedanta Desika composed Paduka sahasram (1008 slokas) in different metres.

It is significant that Ramanuja completely overhauled the administrative system in this temple and saw to it that great care was exercised in the matter of control of the temple affairs.

The physical body of Ramanuja, who lived for nearly 120 years, is still being preserved in a sitting posture in the sannidhi dedicated to him on the southwest corner of the fifth prakaram of the temple. Shrines for all Azhwars and Acharyas are also found within the temple precincts.

Arayar sevai one of the ancient arts of rendering and expressing Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam, in a dance form, originated at this kshetram under the auspices of Nadamuni. Arayar sevai is also performed at Srivilliputtur, Azhwar Tirunagari, Tirukkurungudi, and Melkot.

This temple is enormous and is the largest temple complex with 156 acres in extent, surrounded by seven concentric walls (the outermost wall having a perimeter of over 3 kilometers) and 21 gopurams.

It has seven prakarams or Tiru veedhis running around the sanctum. The total length of these seven walls is 32, 592 feet, approximately around 9 kms. There are magnificent towers in all prakaras and the latest addition is the 2366 feet high thirteen tiered Rajagopuram built at the southern rampart by the late 44th Jeeyar of Sri Ahobila Mutt.

 

Pilgrims from all over India visit this shrine, and there are festivals all through the year. Vaikunta Ekadasi during Margazhi and the Tirukalyana festival during Panguni attract a very large crowd.