Changes

== History ==

== History ==

Vaishnavism believes eight Vaishnava temple idols to be Svayam-vyakta (self-manifest forms of Vishnu) And Srirangam Ranganatha temple is considered foremost among them. It is said that the actual shrine arose out of the ocean. However, the temple itself has a traceable history. It finds mention in the Silappadigaram (One of the 5 great epics of Tamil Literature).<ref name=":0" /> The text in Silappadikaram reads,<blockquote>''"After several days' journey, they (Kovalan and Kannagi) reached Srirangam, where the river (Kaveri) was hidden by the city.''" (Silappadikaram, Nadukankadai).<ref>V.R.Ramachandra Dikshitar (1939), [https://ia801606.us.archive.org/7/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.201802/2015.201802.The-Silappadikaram.pdf The Silappadikaram], Madras: Diocesan Press.</ref></blockquote>Silappadikaram also relates that Ranga reclined in a thousand headed serpent couch. Therefore it is clear that Srirangam existed when Silappadikaram was composed. The place also finds a mention in Kovil Ozhugu (a chronicle written in the 11th Century)<ref name=":1">T.S.Parthasarathy (July, 1954), [https://ia600504.us.archive.org/24/items/Koil-Olugu-English-1954/Koil-Olugu-English-1954.pdf The Koyil Olugu], Tirupati: Tirumalai Tirupati Devasthanams.</ref>.  

Vaishnavism believes eight Vaishnava temple murti or vigrahas to be Svayam-vyakta (self-manifest forms of Vishnu) And Srirangam Ranganatha temple is considered foremost among them. It is said that the actual shrine arose out of the ocean. However, the temple itself has a traceable history. It finds mention in the Silappadigaram (One of the 5 great epics of Tamil Literature).<ref name=":0" /> The text in Silappadikaram reads,<blockquote>''"After several days' journey, they (Kovalan and Kannagi) reached Srirangam, where the river (Kaveri) was hidden by the city.''" (Silappadikaram, Nadukankadai).<ref>V.R.Ramachandra Dikshitar (1939), [https://ia801606.us.archive.org/7/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.201802/2015.201802.The-Silappadikaram.pdf The Silappadikaram], Madras: Diocesan Press.</ref></blockquote>Silappadikaram also relates that Ranga reclined in a thousand headed serpent couch. Therefore it is clear that Srirangam existed when Silappadikaram was composed. The place also finds a mention in Kovil Ozhugu (a chronicle written in the 11th Century)<ref name=":1">T.S.Parthasarathy (July, 1954), [https://ia600504.us.archive.org/24/items/Koil-Olugu-English-1954/Koil-Olugu-English-1954.pdf The Koyil Olugu], Tirupati: Tirumalai Tirupati Devasthanams.</ref>.  

According to Prof. S. Narayanan, it can be deduced from the well preserved inscriptions that this temple enjoyed the patronage of almost all the famous ruling dynasties of South India; that rich endowments were made to the temple by the Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Nayakas, Pallavas and Marathas. Itihasas like Ramayana and many puranas like Padma purana and Bhagavata purana also refer to the glory of this kshetra. However, it was during the Vijayanagara rule that the temple attained its pinnacle of glory.

According to Prof. S. Narayanan, it can be deduced from the well preserved inscriptions that this temple enjoyed the patronage of almost all the famous ruling dynasties of South India; that rich endowments were made to the temple by the Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Nayakas, Pallavas and Marathas. Itihasas like Ramayana and many puranas like Padma purana and Bhagavata purana also refer to the glory of this kshetra. However, it was during the Vijayanagara rule that the temple attained its pinnacle of glory.

=== Sriranga sthapana ===

=== Sriranga sthapana ===

According to the Brahmanda purana, long long ago the murthi of Sriranga Perumal (the lord of Srirangam) along with the Ranga Vimana emerged out of Ksheerabdhi (the milky ocean). This was in response to a severe penance of Brahma for thousand long years and more who worshipped the Lord in Satyaloka. From Brahma subsequently the idol was passed on to Ikshvaku, the son of Manu and was being worshiped as the family deity of that dynasty till the time of Sri Rama. After the conquest of Ravana, out of great affection for Vibhishana, Sri Rama then handed over the idol and the vimana to Vibhishana. Vibhishana intended to take the Lord and the Vimana to his kingdom Lanka. However, while he was carrying them, he placed the two on the ground between the two rivers at Srirangam in order to complete his evening prayers. But to his utter grief, Sri Ranganatha installed himself at that very spot and was immovable, settling there permanently and the Vimana could not be lifted. Both the Lord and the Vimana were to remain forever on the banks of river Kaveri. Vibhishana was crest fallen at this. However, the Lord assured him that he would always look southward towards Sri Lanka lying on his serpent couch. This event is believed to have occurred in the tamil month of Panguni and this is celebrated in all grandeur as Adi Brahmotsava in Panguni month at Srirangam.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":1" />  

According to the Brahmanda purana, long long ago the murthi of Sriranga Perumal (the lord of Srirangam) along with the Ranga Vimana emerged out of Ksheerabdhi (the milky ocean). This was in response to a severe penance of Brahma for thousand long years and more who worshipped the Lord in Satyaloka. From Brahma subsequently the murti or vigraha was passed on to Ikshvaku, the son of Manu and was being worshiped as the family deity of that dynasty till the time of Sri Rama. After the conquest of Ravana, out of great affection for Vibhishana, Sri Rama then handed over the murti or vigraha and the vimana to Vibhishana. Vibhishana intended to take the Lord and the Vimana to his kingdom Lanka. However, while he was carrying them, he placed the two on the ground between the two rivers at Srirangam in order to complete his evening prayers. But to his utter grief, Sri Ranganatha installed himself at that very spot and was immovable, settling there permanently and the Vimana could not be lifted. Both the Lord and the Vimana were to remain forever on the banks of river Kaveri. Vibhishana was crest fallen at this. However, the Lord assured him that he would always look southward towards Sri Lanka lying on his serpent couch. This event is believed to have occurred in the tamil month of Panguni and this is celebrated in all grandeur as Adi Brahmotsava in Panguni month at Srirangam.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":1" />  

=== Sriranga Vaikuntha ===

=== Sriranga Vaikuntha ===

Raja Dharma Varma, one of the early Chola rajas, was the first devotee who had the privilege of constructing a temple around the vimana. He constructed a huge temple at the spot with a Gopuram, Pushkarini, Mantapas and other structures as laid down in the [[Agamas (आगमाः)|Agamas]].<ref name=":1" />  

Raja Dharma Varma, one of the early Chola rajas, was the first devotee who had the privilege of constructing a temple around the vimana. He constructed a huge temple at the spot with a Gopuram, Pushkarini, Mantapas and other structures as laid down in the [[Agamas (आगमाः)|Agamas]].<ref name=":1" />  

However, according to a legend, huge floods of the two rivers in the vicinity devastated the country side and the idol of Sri Ranga got submerged. The entire temple was covered with sand and the overgrowth around it hid it completely from outside view. As a result, the Sriranga temple on the river bank was forgotten. However, a devotee used to regularly sing the hymns of Sri Ranga at this place and a parrot used to listen. Even after the temple was engulfed, the parrot, true to its nature recited the hymns daily. A descendant of Dharma Varma, called Kili Chola, accidentally reached the spot at the riverbank during one of his hunting sojourn and was astonished at what he heard and saw.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":1" /> The parrot recited the following hymn, <blockquote>कावेरी विरजा सेयं वैकुण्ठं रङ्गमन्दिरम् । स वासुदेवो रङ्गेशः प्रत्यक्षं परमं पदम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>विमानं प्रणवाकारं वेदशृङ्गं महात्भुतम् । श्रीरङ्गशायी भगवान् प्रणवार्थप्रकाशकः ॥<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote><blockquote>kāverī virajā seyaṁ vaikuṇṭhaṁ raṅgamandiram । sa vāsudevo raṅgeśaḥ pratyakṣaṁ paramaṁ padam ॥</blockquote><blockquote>vimānaṁ praṇavākāraṁ vedaśr̥ṅgaṁ mahātbhutam । śrīraṅgaśāyī bhagavān praṇavārthaprakāśakaḥ ॥</blockquote>Meaning: What Viraja is to Vaikuntha, is Kaveri to Srirangam, Srirangam is Vaikuntham itself, Ranga is Vasudeva, the Vimana is Pranava and it is Ranga who propounds the Pranava.

However, according to a legend, huge floods of the two rivers in the vicinity devastated the country side and the murti or vigraha of Sri Ranga got submerged. The entire temple was covered with sand and the overgrowth around it hid it completely from outside view. As a result, the Sriranga temple on the river bank was forgotten. However, a devotee used to regularly sing the hymns of Sri Ranga at this place and a parrot used to listen. Even after the temple was engulfed, the parrot, true to its nature recited the hymns daily. A descendant of Dharma Varma, called Kili Chola, accidentally reached the spot at the riverbank during one of his hunting sojourn and was astonished at what he heard and saw.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":1" /> The parrot recited the following hymn, <blockquote>कावेरी विरजा सेयं वैकुण्ठं रङ्गमन्दिरम् । स वासुदेवो रङ्गेशः प्रत्यक्षं परमं पदम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>विमानं प्रणवाकारं वेदशृङ्गं महात्भुतम् । श्रीरङ्गशायी भगवान् प्रणवार्थप्रकाशकः ॥<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote><blockquote>kāverī virajā seyaṁ vaikuṇṭhaṁ raṅgamandiram । sa vāsudevo raṅgeśaḥ pratyakṣaṁ paramaṁ padam ॥</blockquote><blockquote>vimānaṁ praṇavākāraṁ vedaśr̥ṅgaṁ mahātbhutam । śrīraṅgaśāyī bhagavān praṇavārthaprakāśakaḥ ॥</blockquote>Meaning: What Viraja is to Vaikuntha, is Kaveri to Srirangam, Srirangam is Vaikuntham itself, Ranga is Vasudeva, the Vimana is Pranava and it is Ranga who propounds the Pranava.

Also, the same night, the supreme Lord Ranganatha appeared in the Raja's dream and informed him of the Vimana buried under the sand dune. And like a true devotee, the Raja excavated the divine treasure and also renovated the temple. Thus, a shrine rose into being, Srirangam flourished and the Chola Raja came to be known as Killi Cholan. Even in sangam classics we find the name of Killi Cholan.<ref name=":0" />

Also, the same night, the supreme Lord Ranganatha appeared in the Raja's dream and informed him of the Vimana buried under the sand dune. And like a true devotee, the Raja excavated the divine treasure and also renovated the temple. Thus, a shrine rose into being, Srirangam flourished and the Chola Raja came to be known as Killi Cholan. Even in sangam classics we find the name of Killi Cholan.<ref name=":0" />

=== Identifying Ranganatha ===

=== Identifying Ranganatha ===

Once there was confusion about the identity of the original idol of the Lord. At that time, it was left to the washerman engaged in temple services to identify the right deity. Water after ablution of the two idols was given separately to the washerman. He on tasting, in great joy went on uttering 'this is our Perumal, this is our Perumal'. He is said to have identified the lord by the smell of butter sticking on the butter thief (Krishna). The washerman who could thus distinguish the deity was named as Iramkolli meaning 'water taster'.

Once there was confusion about the identity of the original murti or vigraha of the Lord. At that time, it was left to the washerman engaged in temple services to identify the right deity. Water after ablution of the two murti or vigrahas was given separately to the washerman. He on tasting, in great joy went on uttering 'this is our Perumal, this is our Perumal'. He is said to have identified the lord by the smell of butter sticking on the butter thief (Krishna). The washerman who could thus distinguish the deity was named as Iramkolli meaning 'water taster'.

=== Nacchiars ===

=== Nacchiars ===

According to tradition, Lord Ranganatha has five consorts - Ranganayaki, Andal, Chozhakulavalli, Cherakulavalli and Biwi Nachiyar.

According to tradition, Lord Ranganatha has five consorts - Ranganayaki, Andal, Chozhakulavalli, Cherakulavalli and Biwi Nachiyar.

* It was at this temple that unable to bear the pangs of separation from the deity, a Muslim princess Bibi is believed to have breathed her last. She attained salvation and merged with the Lord at Srirangam. And hence, till date she is worshipped as Bibi Nacchiar or Tulukacchi Nacchiar. And everyday prasada seva of roti and butter is offered to her.   

* It was at this temple that unable to bear the pangs of separation from the deity, a Muslim princess Bibi is believed to have breathed her last. She attained salvation and merged with the Lord at Srirangam. And hence, till date she is worshipped as Bibi Nacchiar or Tulukacchi Nacchiar. And everyday prasada seva of roti and butter is offered to her.   

* Even, Chola Kula Valli, daughter of the Chola Raja Dharma Verma and Chera Kula Valli, daughter of Chera Raja Kulasekara are believed to have attained eternal bliss at this temple.   

* Even, Chola Kula Valli, daughter of the Chola Raja Dharma Verma and Chera Kula Valli, daughter of Chera Raja Kulasekara are believed to have attained eternal bliss at this temple.   

* A Lady at Karambanoor, staunch devotee, would not touch food without worshipping Manavala Perumal. During Muslim invasion, when the deity was taken away from Srirangam, she followed the camp soldiers and became their camp follower. Once she reached Delhi with the Moghul soldiers and managed to locate the deity in the bedroom of the princess, she returned to Srirangam and narrated to the chief priest the whereabouts of Manavala Perumai. For this act of steadfast devotion, she was rightly named Pinsendravalli (the lady who followed the idol). Kodavar's son who brought back the idol to Srirangam was named as Thiruttazhvarai Dasar and the troupe of dancers who helped in reverting the deity were named as Isai Ariyum Perumal Kootattar (the troupe which brought back the lord with music).  

* A Lady at Karambanoor, staunch devotee, would not touch food without worshipping Manavala Perumal. During Muslim invasion, when the deity was taken away from Srirangam, she followed the camp soldiers and became their camp follower. Once she reached Delhi with the Moghul soldiers and managed to locate the deity in the bedroom of the princess, she returned to Srirangam and narrated to the chief priest the whereabouts of Manavala Perumai. For this act of steadfast devotion, she was rightly named Pinsendravalli (the lady who followed the murti or vigraha). Kodavar's son who brought back the murti or vigraha to Srirangam was named as Thiruttazhvarai Dasar and the troupe of dancers who helped in reverting the deity were named as Isai Ariyum Perumal Kootattar (the troupe which brought back the lord with music).  

=== Dhanvantari ===

=== Dhanvantari ===

* The Srirangam temple follows Sri Ramanuja sampradaya in every letter. Especially, Vaikuntha Ekadashi day reaches the apex of its glory in this temple.  

* The Srirangam temple follows Sri Ramanuja sampradaya in every letter. Especially, Vaikuntha Ekadashi day reaches the apex of its glory in this temple.  

* Interestingly, Sriranga Nachiar (the consort of the lord here) is known as Paditanda patni (the chaste lady who never steps beyond the threshold). Therefore, all the festivals are conducted at the Nachiar sannidhi adjacent to Vasanta Mandapam.

* Interestingly, Sriranga Nachiar (the consort of the lord here) is known as Paditanda patni (the chaste lady who never steps beyond the threshold). Therefore, all the festivals are conducted at the Nachiar sannidhi adjacent to Vasanta Mandapam.

* Araiyar Seva at this temple is very famous and a specialty. There is an interesting tradition about the procession of the idols known for its captivating and bewitching gait. As per tradition, a group of devotees known as Sri Padam Thangis are only permitted to render Suprabhata to the Lord and it is their prerogative.<ref name=":0" />

* Araiyar Seva at this temple is very famous and a specialty. There is an interesting tradition about the procession of the murti or vigrahas known for its captivating and bewitching gait. As per tradition, a group of devotees known as Sri Padam Thangis are only permitted to render Suprabhata to the Lord and it is their prerogative.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Article needs attention]]

[[Category:Article needs attention]]