05th
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 05th November 2017. Since I planned to attend our Kula Deivam Sri
Veeramathi Amman Temple’s Kumbabishekam near Erode on 03rd
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 17th century by Thanjavur Achuthappa Nayakar
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
7th prakara is called as Adayavalainthan and the same was constructed
by one of the Pandya Kings during 12th to 14th 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
6th 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
5th 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 4th Corridor was constructed by Thirumangai Alwar
during 7th 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
3rd 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
2nd 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 15th 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
1st 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
10th century only. But as per the Tamil literatures the temple exits even before 10th
century. There are about 400 inscriptions available in this temple and the
oldest is 10th century ( 907 CE ) Parantaka Chozha- I’s 17th
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 13th century Malik Kafur and
rebuilt to the present state by the Vijayanagara Kings during 15th
and 16th century. The present golden plate covering for the moolavar
vimana was done in 17th 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
View of Garuda thoon with 2nd Prakara Rajagopuram
The Venugopala Krishnan Sannidhi
The Venugopala Krishnan Sannadhi
Vishwaksena sannadhi
Nayaka Kings who reconstructed this mandapams
Reliefs on one of the 8 pillars of Shesha Rayar
Mandapam ( A war scene )
Reliefs on one of the 8 pillars of Shesha Rayar
Mandapam
Reliefs on one of the 8 pillars of Shesha Rayar Mandapam, see the sitting posture.
Pulikuthi relief on the left
Reliefs on one of the 8 pillars of Shesha Rayar Mandapam - Asuras and Devas churning the milk ocean
Reliefs on one of the 8 pillars of Shesha Rayar Mandapam
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
