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== Structure ==

== Structure ==

Talking of the grandeur of this temple, Sri S. Narayanan in his book 108 Temples of Azhvars says, This stupendous six mile structure, a great architectural marvel noted in the skyline, famous for its pranava viman, embellished with gold, fills the beholder with wonder and admiration. Dressed in stone and lime this is the biggest temple in South India and the whole world.

The Srirangam Ranganatha temple is known as a Sapta Prakara Sthala. The Ranga vimana embellished with gold stands as a pranava encircled by the sapta prakaras. There are in all 21 towers in the temple forming entrances and is encircled by high walls and is dressed in stone and lime. Out of the 21 towers, 7 are on the southern side, 6 are on the north side, 4 are on the east and 3 on the west. The twenty-first tower is the sanctum of Goddess Ranganayaki. The towers are full of myriad sculptures of figures, processions, musicians playing different instruments, beasts and demons, couples in fond embrace, elephants, horses, dancers, devotees and brave warriors. The ceilings and pillars are also lavishly decorated with superb carvings. The walls are ornamented with gold paintings depicting 108 divya desas. As they are labelled in Telugu it is inferred that they may have been presented by the Nayaka kings of Tanjore. Also, the Garuda image at the entrance, hailed as Periya Thiruvadi is the biggest one of its kind. While the thousand pillared hall of the temple erected by Dandanayaka and Perumal Devan during Vijayanagar rule, is supported with 951 monolithic pillars. However, during the construction of this mandapa the place was attacked by an enemy and was therefore left incomplete. Even the Rajagopuram that is 236 feet high is the tallest one in the whole of Asia and the tallest temple tower in the world. The temple has 56 sanadhis (sanctum sanctorums) and is so big that a devotee without a proper guide will get lost at some point. The temple also once upon a time consisted of nine holy theerthas (holy ponds) and 34 Nandavanas.

The sthala known as Sapta Prakara Sthala. The seven prakaras are linked with the seven worlds. The Garuda image at the entrance is the biggest one of its kind and rightly hailed as Periya Thiruvadi. There used to exist nine holy theerthas (holy ponds) and 34 Nandavanams. The flowers and garlands that adorn the deities of the Srirangam temple are special. At one time this temple had as many as 34 nandavanams, thanks to the bountiful Cauvery and the Coleroon girdling the island town. The garlands made from the flowers of the nandavanam alone adorn the presiding deity Sri Ranganatha and his consort. The garlands are made of white, red and green flowers and leaves, thus making it a colourful spectacl truly a vanarnala, a favourite of the Lord. Pierced by 21 lofty towers forming as entrances it is encircled by high walls. 21 towers 156 acres and seven walls, rank first amongst the 108 divya desas. Of the 21 towers, 7 are on the southern side, 6 are on the north side, four are on the east and three on the west. The twenty-first tower is the sanctum of Goddess Ranganayaki. The towers are full of myriad sculptures, figures, processions, musicians playing different instruments, beasts and demons, couples in fond embrace, elephants, horses, acrobat dancers, devotees and brave warriors. The ceilings and pillars are also lavishly decorated with superb carvings.

It is believed that the seven prakaras are symbolic of the seven worlds. The four vedas and shastras are the sthupis. The 24 pillars represent Gayatri mantra. The four sides of the sanctum are guarded by Narayana, Napinalina, Nagasayana and Narasimha. Also, at the northern entrance in the third circuit is the paramapada vasal or Vaikunta Vasal, a most sacred spot. Every year on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day this entrance assumes special importance and devotees who pass through this channel are believed to enter the heaven.<ref name=":0" />

The Ranga vimana stands as pranava encircled by saptha prakaras. The four vedas and shastras are the sthupis. The 24 pillars represent Gayatri mantra. The four sides of the sanctum are guarded by Narayana, Napinalina, Nagasayana and Narasimha. The vimana is gold capped. In addition the temple has 7 prakaras symbolic of 7 worlds. In fact there are in all 21 towers in the temple. The walls are ornamented with gold paintings depicting 108 divya desas. As they are labelled in Telugu it is inferred that they have been presented by the Nayak kings of Tanjore. Ranga Viman is supported by the hood of Seshnag. The sanctum sanctorum of the Srirangam temple has a golden dome for its roof called the Ranga Viman shaped like the first primordial sound Aum of the Vedas, called Pranava. The origin of the Ranga Viman can be traced back to the beginning of creation when Lord Vishnu first created Brahma and initiated him into the Pranava and asked him to meditate on that along with the word Hari. Brahma started meditating on the pranava and as a result the four Vedas, the Gayatri mantra and several living beinfr., appeared. Thereafter, Lord Narayaria appeared before him and initiated him into Ash takshara mantra Om Name Narayana. Subsequently owing to Brahma's tapas, there arose from the Milky Ocean the divine Ra riga Vimanam shining with the celestial effulgence in which Lord Ranganatha in yoganidra was reclining on the serpent Adisesha. Also the inmates of Sri Vaikunta, Lord Vishnu's heavenly abode, were present. Brahma prayed to Lord Ranganatha to remain in the Vimana forever. Ranga viman is the name given to a special chariot for Vishnu carried by Veda Murthis on their heads.

The sanctum sanctorum of the Srirangam temple has a golden dome for its roof called the Ranga Vimana shaped like the first primordial sound Aum of the Vedas, called Pranava. The vimana is supported by the hood of Seshnaga. The origin of the Ranga Vimana can be traced back to the beginning of creation when Lord Vishnu first created Brahma and initiated him into the Pranava and asked him to meditate on that along with the word Hari. Brahma started meditating on the pranava and as a result the four Vedas, the Gayatri mantra and several living beings appeared. Thereafter, Lord Narayana appeared before him and initiated him into Ashtakshara mantra Om Name Narayana. Subsequently owing to Brahma's tapas, there arose from the Milky Ocean the divine Ranga Vimana shining with the celestial effulgence in which Lord Ranganatha in yoganidra was reclining on the serpent Adisesha. Also the inmates of Sri Vaikunta, Lord Vishnu's heavenly abode, were present. Brahma prayed to Lord Ranganatha to remain in the Vimana forever and the lord granted his wish. Ranga vimana is also the name given to a special chariot for Vishnu carried by Veda Murthis on their heads.<ref name=":0" />

The temple is referred by-several names. Koil, Peria Koil, Tiruvarangam, Bhooloka Vaikuntam, Bhogamantapa and Namarangam.

 

The flowers and garlands that adorn the deities of the Srirangam temple are special. At one point of time this temple is said to have had as many as 34 nandavanams, thanks to the bountiful Kaveri and the Kollidam. And the garlands made from the flowers of these nandavana alone adorn the presiding deity Sri Ranganatha and his consort. The garlands are made of white, red and green flowers and leaves, thus making it a colourful spectacle truly a vanamala, a favourite of the Lord.<ref name=":0" />

According to tradition Lord Ranganatha has five consorts - Ranganayaki, Andal, Chozhakulavalli, Cherakulavalli and Biwi Nachiyar. Acharya Ramanuja is said to have spent nearly seventy years of his life serving Ranga. The thousand pillared hall of the temple is supported with 951 monolithic pillars. This hall was erected by Dandanayaka and Perumal Devan during Vijayanagar rule. During construction of this mandapa the place was attacked by an enemy. Therefore the mandapam is left incomplete.

 

The Rajagopuram is 236 feet high, the tallest one in the whole of Asia and the tallest temple tower in the world.

 

At the northern entrance in the third circuit is the paramapada vasal or Vaikunta Vasal, a most sacred spot. Every year on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day this entrance assumes special importance and devotees who pass through this channel are believed to enter the portals of heaven.  

 

Sriranga Nachiar is known as Padithanda pathni (the chaste lady who never steps beyond the threshold). Therefore all the festivals are conducted at the Nachiar sannidhi adjacent to Vasant Mandapam. To the right of Thayar sannidhi is the shrine of Metter Azhagiya Singar. Here Lord Narasimha is seen pulling out the entrails of Hiranya and wearing it as garland.

 

The temple with 56 sanadhis is so big that a devotee without a proper guide will get lost at some point.

== Legends ==

== Legends ==

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. 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.  

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.