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Line 38: − + − The holy shrine of Srirangam also called antyarangam lies encircled by the river Cauvery. It is located in the picturesque island of palm and plantain trees and acres and acres of fertile land thus making it a terrestrial paradise.+ + + + + + + + + + Line 112:
Line 121: − − == History == − Situated 7 kms away from Trichinapalli, a nerve-centre of Sri Vaishnava philosophy, the temple is foremost among the eight self-manifested God-heads. The actual shrine is supposed to have risen out of the ocean. The temple has a traceable history which is quite awesome and is mentioned in Silappadigaram and in Kovil Ozhugu, a chronicle written in the 11th Century. − − Srirangam is considered as a heaven on earth viz., Bhooloka Vaikunta. It is foremost among the 108 divya desas, the last one being Vaikunta itself. From the well preserved inscriptions it can be deduced that this temple enjoyed the patronage of almost all the famous ruling dynasties of South India. Rich endowments were made to the temple by the Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Nayaks, Pallavas and Marathas. Itihasas like Ramayana and many puranas like Padma purana and Bhagavada purana embody refer to the glory of this kshetra. It was during the Vijayanagara rule that the temple attained its pinnacle of glory. − − 13th Century was a time of glory to the temple. During the Muslim invasion in 1327, Swami Vedanta Desika, the greatest of the acharyas removed the deity to Melkote and then to Tirumala. Finally, two Vijayanagar generals brought the Lord back to Srirangam. Vedanta Desika's praise of them is engraved on the walls of the temple. − − Very few temples in the country have so much religious, architectural and historical splendour as Srirangam temple. The architectural features of the temple demonstrate that the present temple was not the work of one dynasty but has gone through the centuries from modest beginnings. The handiwork of several dynasties must be seen to be enjoyed. They collectively constitute a massive temple complex.Originally the Mottai gopuram had just two tiers left incomplete by Nayaks of Vijayanagar dynasty. The construction commenced in May 1979 at the instance of 44th jeer of Ahobila Matt who was then a 87 year old young seer and completed the stupendous gopura in 1987 in a record time of eight years. Despite his advanced age the sanyasi went up the temple tower block almost daily to supervise personally the work in progress. − +
Editing and adding citations
[[Category:Temples]]
[[Category:Temples]]
Srirangam is one of the foremost among the 108 Vaishnava temples. It is situated 10kms from Tiruchirapalli district in Tamil Nadu. Here, Vishnu in the form of Sri Ranganatha is seen reclining on the coils of Adisesha. A temple in tamil is called 'koil'. However, among the Vaishnavas, the common noun koil is an invariable reference to the temple of Srirangam. Such is the vital position occupied by this temple within the tradition of Vaishnavism. This temple is also one of the Pancha Ranga kshetras, the other four being, Adirangam (Mysore), Appalarangam (Thiruper), Chaturtharangam (Kumbakonam) and Pancharangam of Indalur/ Mayavaram.
Srirangam, also known as Thiruvarangam is one of the foremost among the 108 Vaishnava temples. It is situated 10kms from Tiruchirapalli district in Tamil Nadu. Here, Vishnu in the form of Sri Ranganatha is seen reclining on the coils of Adisesha. A temple in tamil is called 'koil'. However, among the Vaishnavas, the common noun koil is an invariable reference to the temple of Srirangam. Such is the vital position occupied by this temple within the tradition of Vaishnavism. This temple is also one of the Pancha Ranga kshetras, the other four being, Adirangam (Mysore), Appalarangam (Thiruper), Chaturtharangam (Kumbakonam) and Pancharangam of Indalur/ Mayavaram.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
The Alwars or saint-poets of the Vaishnava tradition are known to have sung hymns in praise of Vishnu residing in each of these 108 temples. That is also what makes these 108 temples very pivotal and sacred in the Vaishnava tradition.
The Alwars or saint-poets of the Vaishnava tradition are known to have sung hymns in praise of Vishnu residing in each of these 108 temples. That is also what makes these 108 temples very pivotal and sacred in the Vaishnava tradition.
=== Srirangam at a glance ===
=== Srirangam at a glance <ref name=":0" /> ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|Vishnu is referred to as
|Vishnu is referred to as
== Location ==
== Location ==
Srirangam is an island where two rivers Kaveri and Kollidam encircle like a garland. It is about 31 kms long and 13 kms. broad and the Ranganatha temple stands on the western part of this island.
Srirangam is an island where the two rivers Kaveri and Kollidam encircle like a garland. It is about 31 kms long and 13 kms broad. And the Ranganatha temple stands on the western part of this island. Located in the picturesque island of palm and plantain trees, with acres and acres of fertile land, makes Ranganatha temple a terrestrial paradise.This holy shrine is also called as antyarangam as it lies encircled by the river Kaveri.<ref name=":0" />
== 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) and in Kovil Ozhugu (a chronicle written in the 11th Century).
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.
13th Century was a crucial period in the history of the temple. During the Muslim invasion in 1327, Swami Vedanta Desika, the greatest of the acharyas shifted the deity to Melkote and then to Tirumala. Finally, it is said that two Vijayanagar generals brought the Lord back to Srirangam. This is reinforced by Vedanta Desika's praise of them engraved on the walls of the temple.
Prof. S. Narayanan says, ''"Very few temples in the country have so much religious, architectural and historical splendour as Srirangam temple. Even the architectural features of the temple demonstrate that the present temple was not the work of one dynasty but has gone through the centuries from modest beginnings."'' The handiwork of several dynasties collectively constitutes the massive temple complex.
One case worth mentioning here is of the Mottai Gopuram. It originally, had just two tiers and was left incomplete by Nayakas of Vijayanagar dynasty. The construction to complete this structure commenced in May 1979 at the instance of 44th jeeyar (pontif) of Ahobila Mutt who was then 87 year old and was completed in 1987 in a record time of eight years. It is mentioned that despite his advanced age, the sanyasi went up the temple tower block almost daily to supervise personally the work in progress.<ref name=":0" />
== Structure ==
== Structure ==
Once, the king of Vijaynagara, his spouse, his son and daughter-in-law arrived late to witness a festival. When the king wanted the festival to be reenacted, he was asked to come next year. That was the famous Padi Etra Sevai, the Lord's enchanting return to the sanctum climbing the steps A festival in the month of Panguni, on full moon day when the Moon is in conjunction with the star Uthara is of a special significance as far as Srirangam is concerned. On this day both the Lord and the Consort are seen on the same throne. This rare sight of the heavenly couple sent our guru Sri Ramanuja into emotional raptures who immediately composed and presented Saranagati Gadhya. The very next moment he also performed Saranagati and took refuge at the lotus feet of Divine Couple.
Once, the king of Vijaynagara, his spouse, his son and daughter-in-law arrived late to witness a festival. When the king wanted the festival to be reenacted, he was asked to come next year. That was the famous Padi Etra Sevai, the Lord's enchanting return to the sanctum climbing the steps A festival in the month of Panguni, on full moon day when the Moon is in conjunction with the star Uthara is of a special significance as far as Srirangam is concerned. On this day both the Lord and the Consort are seen on the same throne. This rare sight of the heavenly couple sent our guru Sri Ramanuja into emotional raptures who immediately composed and presented Saranagati Gadhya. The very next moment he also performed Saranagati and took refuge at the lotus feet of Divine Couple.
== Srirangam and Vaikuntham ==
== Srirangam and Vaikuntham ==
It is believed that river Cauvery is the very same river Viraja that eternally flows in Vaikunta.
It is believed that river Cauvery is the very same river Viraja that eternally flows in Vaikunta. Srirangam is considered as a heaven on earth viz., Bhooloka Vaikunta. It is foremost among the 108 divya desas, the last one being Vaikunta itself.