VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple / திருவரங்கம் அரங்கநாத சுவாமி கோயில், Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple / திருவரங்கம் அரங்கநாத சுவாமி கோயில், Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu. – A HERITAGE VISIT.

05^th November 2017.

This heritage visit to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai and Sri Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval was arranged by the Chozham Varalaru thedal kuzhu on 05^th November 2017. Since I planned to attend our Kula Deivam Sri Veeramathi Amman Temple’s Kumbabishekam near Erode on 03^rd November 2017, decided to attend this heritage walk. Visited this temple more than 50 years before, this Heritage visit gave me an opportunity of visiting this temple and had the darshan of Sri Ranganathaswamy once again. I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Udhaya Shankar, Andavar Kani, Abirami, R K Lakshmi, Mr Raman Sthapathy, who explained the salient features of this temple, Mr Selvaraj Nayakkavadiyar for arranging this heritage walk.

On the moolavar sanctum gold plated 4 kalasa vimana with reliefs of Paravasuthevar, Achuthar, Ananthar and Venugopalar. The present golden plate covering for the moolavar vimana was done in 17^th century by Thanjavur Achuthappa Nayakar

Para Vasudeva ( Sukha nasi )- installed as per Pancharathra Parameswara Samhitha

शुकनासामुखे देवः पूजनीयः परः पुमान्।

भगवान् जगदाधारो जगदीशः सनातनः ।।

वासुदेवः परं ब्रह्न जगत्कारणमच्युतः।

PC: Sankara narayan G

This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam Vishnu temples and 12 Alwars has sung hymns Nalayira divya prabandham on Sri RanganathaSwamy. The place Srirangam was called as Thiruvarangam is on the banks of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu ( Tiruchirappalli ).

Moolavar : Sri Aranganathar and Urchavar is Sri Namperumal.

Thayar : Sri Ranganayaki.

Some of the important features of this temple are....

Unlike other temples this place Srirangam is inside the temple complex. The Srirangam is in an island surrounded by Kollidam and Kaveri river. The temple is facing south with 7 prakaras ( corridors ), 23 gopuras and 54 Sannidhis spread in 156 acre.

The 7^th prakara is called as Adayavalainthan and the same was constructed by one of the Pandya Kings during 12^th to 14^th century. The emblem of Pandya’s is inscribed on the passage of the Rajagopuram. Sannadhis in this prakara are Vamana Vishnu, Andal Nachiyar, Thulukka Nachiyar and Aranganathar.

The 6^th prakara is called as Kaliyuga Raman thiruveedhi, which has 4 gopuras. It is believed that these gopuras are constructed by Pandiyas and Hoysalas. The Temple chariots are kept in this prakaram.

The 5^th prakara called as Uttara veedhi, which has the residences. Beyond this devotees are advised not to wear chapels and considered as the holy place.

It was believed that 4^th Corridor was constructed by Thirumangai Alwar during 7^th century. This prakara is called as Akalangal thiru veedhi otherwise known as Ranga Vasal or Nanmugan gopuram. Non hindus are permitted till the Venugopala Krishna's sannidhi. The Venugopala Krishna Sannidhi sanctum walls has the beautiful statues, females and males intrinsically carved reliefs. This was believed to be constructed during Hoysala period. There is a provision to climb up the temple top to watch the beauty of the temple complex with gopuras and vimanas. ( we have got permission to climb on the roof top of this temple ). There is a museum which displays the gifted articles, ivory statues, coins and brass & bronze statues. The Shesha Rayar Mandapam with exquisitely carved 8 pillars has the statues and reliefs of epic & puranas and a Thousand Pillar ( 953 pillars ) Mandapam are also in this prakaram.

The Venugopala Krishna Sannidhi sanctum walls has the beautiful statues This was believed to be constructed during Hoysala period.

Nayak Kings who reconstructed the mandapams

The 3^rd prakara gopuram is called as Karthigai. This prakara has the Garuda thoon, mandapam and Garudalwar sannadhi. The Garuda mandapam was built with beautifully carved 212 pillars. The mandapam was built during Nayak period, whose statues are on the pillars. On the west side there are 5 grain storage bins. This prakara also has the sannadhis of Vasudeva Vishnu, Muthalawars, Dhanvantari. Paramapatha Vasal is on the north prakara wall, which will be opened on Vaikunta ekadasi day. On the east side Chandra pushkarani built like Chandran. Around this pushkarani sannadhis for Krishnar, Thondaradipodi alwar, Anantha sayana. Urchava vahanas are also kept in this prakaram on the east side near Surya pushkarani.

Storage bins to store grains now the same is not used

Sengamala Valli thayar sannidhi Rajagopuram

The 2^nd prakara was covered with gold plates by Jadavarma Sundara Pandiyan. This prakara is called as Kulasekaran thiruveethi and we have to pass through Ariyapadaal gopuram. The is gopuram was damaged during muslim invasion and reconstructed during 15^th century. Golden plated Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are in the second prakaram. Nayaka kings statues are on the pillars, who had done thirupani to this prakara. On the south side sannadhi for Saraswathy and Hayagreevar and Vishnu Dhasamurthy. Durai mandapam is also in the second prakara with two vimanas.

The 1^st prakara was constructed by the Chozha King Rajamahendra Chozha (1017 CE to 1137 CE), the son of Rajendra Chozha II and called as Rajamahendran thiruveedhi. The main sanctum is constructed in this prakaram. Dwarapalakas, sanga nidhi and Padmanidhi are at the entrance of the sanctum. On the south and west side mirror to see Urchavars purapadu. On the west platform there is a box contains Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayak ( 1706 to 1732 CE ), his wife, his son and his daughter in-law statues made of ivory. On the south west corner Swamy’s jewellery are kept. On the north west corner are the yaga sala, Thondaiman mandapam and Kili ( parrot ) mandapam with parrot cage ( to remind that this temple was identified by the parrot. The sanctum was constructed in oval shape. Moolavar is in reclining posture on Adhiseshan. The moolavar is about 6.4 meter ( 21 feet ) long made of stucco. Moolavar is applied with punuku and oil. Ranganathar’s feet are kept on lotus. Urchavar Azhagiya manavalar is in front of moolavar. In addition to this there is a gold urchavar, who will be taken out for thiruveethi ula during important occasions. It was learnt that Moolavar was taken to Tirupati during Muslim invasion. On the moolavar sanctum gold plated 4 kalasa vimana with reliefs of Paravasuthevar, Achuthar, Ananthar and Venugopalar.

The entrance arch to the main sanctum

HISTORY< INSCRIPTIONS AND LEGENDS

As per the legend the temple was constructed by Chozha King Killivalavan, whose ancestor is Dharmavarma Chozhan. But there is no proof for this instead we get the Chozha inscriptions starting from 10^th century only. But as per the Tamil literatures the temple exits even before 10^th century. There are about 400 inscriptions available in this temple and the oldest is 10^th century ( 907 CE ) Parantaka Chozha- I’s 17^th year rule. The inscriptions speaks about constructions of new sannadhi and the donations made for regular poojas and functions. Jadavarma Sundara Pandiyan –I’s ( 1251 – 1268 CE ), inscription speaks about the construction and covering with gold plate of Thiruvaranganathar Sannadhi, Vishwaksena Sannadhi, Maha Vishnu sannadhi, Vishnu Narasimhar Sannidhi, Three Vimanas and madapalli.

The temple has the mixture of Chozhas, Pandiyas, Vijayanagara, Hoysalas, period architecture. The temple was subjected to extensive damage during Muslim invasion especially during 13^th century Malik Kafur and rebuilt to the present state by the Vijayanagara Kings during 15^th and 16^th century. The present golden plate covering for the moolavar vimana was done in 17^th century by Thanjavur Achuthappa Nayakar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs, during pooja time dharshan will not be allowed.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Temple web site : www.srirangam.tnhrce.org and e mail address is srirangam@tnhrce.in

HOW TO REACH:

Town buses are available from Tiruchirappalli Railway station, Central Bus Stand and Chatram Bus stand.

Bus, Train and flight facilities are available from various parts of Chennai and state capitals of India.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE