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Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam Tamil Nadu

Here is Some information about Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam Tamil Nadu India.

Location:  Srirangam, Near Trichy, Tamil Nadu
Built in:between the 14th and 17th centuries
Dedicated to:Lord Ranganathaswamy
Entry: Free
Photography:Allow 
Temple Timing: 6:00 Am to 10:00pm
Significance: One of the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu
Visiting Timing: 30 mins
Best time to Visit: Oct to march
Nearest Railway Station: Bangalore
Nearest Air Port: Bangalore Airport

More Information about Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu India is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. It is the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu.
The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (6,31,000 square meter) with a perimeter of 1,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India. Srirangam temple can be easily termed as the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world (it's termed as biggest "functioning" because Angkor Wat is the biggest but non-functioning Hindu temple in the world). 

The temple is enclosed by 7 concentric walls and the total length of these seven walls is 32,592 feet or over six miles. There are total of 21 gopurams in this temple. The weight of the Gopuram is 24,880 tons and the entrance is 11 3/4 width and height is 24 3/4. The 7 walls are referred to as the 7 worlds. The 7th wall is the outer wall which can be seen and it is 3072 feet in length and 2521 feet in breadth. For 7 prakaarams, 7 thiruveedhi (streets) are found. 7th thiruveedhi is called "Chitthirai Thiruveedhi" where bigh houses and bunglows are found. Sixth Veedhi, which is found in Sixth prakaaram is called "Thiru vikraman thiruveedhi" fifth veedhi om 5th prakaram is Agalangan Thiru veedhi". Fourth veedhi in 4th prakaram is "Aalinaadan Thiruveedhi". Third veedhi in 3rd prakaram is "Kulasekaran Thiruveedhi". Second veedhi in 2nd prakaram is "Raja Mahendran". And in the first prakaram, Emperumaan Sri Ranganathan in Kidantha Kolam gives seva and this is called "Dharma Varman Thiru chuttru (circle). Among the marvels of the temple is a "hall of 1000 pillars" (actually 953). 

The Gopuram of Sri Rangam is popularly called as "Raja Gopuram" and it is the biggest gopuram in the Asian Sub - Continent. The height of the Gopuram is 236 feet high with 13 Nilays. 12 Kalasams are kept on the top of the Gopuram. It took almost 7 years to complete the Gopuram. The Rajagopuram did not reach its current height of 73 m. until 1987, when the 44th Jeer of Ahobila Mutt initiated the process with the help of philanthropists and others.

There are in total eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras ("self-manifested shrines"), of Lord Vishnu, according to Sri Vaisnava philosophy namely, Srirangam, Srimushnam, Venkatadri, Saligramam, Naimisaranyam, Totadri, Pushakara and Badrinath. Of these, Srirangam is the first and of foremost importance. The temple is situated in an island - enclosed by Kaveri river and Kollidam river.

Architecture of Ranganathaswamy Temple 

The huge temple complex covers an area 156 acres (6, 31,000 m²) with a perimeter of 1,116m (10,710 feet). Having one of the largest temple complexes in India, Sri Rangam Temple is regarded as one of the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world. Seven concentric walls, which lengthen to 32,592 feet, mark the boundary of this temple. 

The striking architecture of the temple spell bounds the onlooker with its charm. Comprising 21 Gopurams (towers), the sheer size of the temple appears awe-inspiring. Apart from other magnificent structures, "Hall of 1000 pillars" gathers the main attraction. It is an excellent example of planned-theatre like structure. Opposite to it, there lies "Sesha Mandap" with its best sculptures.

History of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple 

The credit of building the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple goes to the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Later, The Hoysala kings and Hyder Ali made additional expansions to the temple. The Hoysala kings, Mysore Wodeyar kings and the kings of Vijayanagara have contributed a lot towards the expansion of the temple structure.Other shrines within the temple complex are those of Lord Srinivasa, Sri Krishna, Vaishnava Acharya and Vaishnavite Gurus. This idol is supposed to be the biggest statue of Vishnu in the reclining form. The temple’s main entrance has huge pillars and you can find twenty four different Vishnu forms.
As per mythological studies, river Cauvery on her way forms three big islands. These islands are the Shivanasamudra of Karnataka, Srirangapatna and Srirangam. It is believed that devotees who visit these three temples, all in one day will surely attain salvation. The Kotarothsava festival dedicated to Lord Ranganatha is celebrated with great pomp and splendour. Devotees from faraway places come here to be a part of these ostentatious celebrations. This is the best time to visit the temple.

How to Reach Ranganathaswamy Temple 

By air: The Nearest Airport is Bangalore.

By Rail: The Nearest Railway Station is Mysore.

By Bus: Srirangapatnam is on the way to Bangalore and lies on the Bangalore-Mysore State Highway.There are a number of state run buses that ply from Bangalore to Mandya.

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