− | 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), [[Thiru Pernagar|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> | + | 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), [[Thiru Pernagar|Appalarangam]] (Thiruper), [[Thiru Kudanthai|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> |
| Deities in the Indian culture are eulogized by various names. Mahavishnu in each of the temples dedicated to Him, is attributed a specific name and so, is his consort Mahalakshmi given a unique name in each kshetra. In Srirangam, also referred by-several names like Koil, Peria Koil, Tiruvarangam, Bhooloka Vaikuntham, Bhogamantapa and Namarangam, Mahavishnu is fondly referred to as Namperumal, our friend, philosopher and guide denoting the Lord's universal compassion. While the utsava deity of the Lord is known as Azhagiya manavalan (one of enchanting beauty) as His charm attracts all.<ref name=":0" /> Not just the deities, even the gopurams (vimanas) ie. the conical structure that is erected towards the sky are also called by specific names. Each temple also has its own pushkarini (pond). And it is mostly, geographically, situated in the vicinity of a river. | | Deities in the Indian culture are eulogized by various names. Mahavishnu in each of the temples dedicated to Him, is attributed a specific name and so, is his consort Mahalakshmi given a unique name in each kshetra. In Srirangam, also referred by-several names like Koil, Peria Koil, Tiruvarangam, Bhooloka Vaikuntham, Bhogamantapa and Namarangam, Mahavishnu is fondly referred to as Namperumal, our friend, philosopher and guide denoting the Lord's universal compassion. While the utsava deity of the Lord is known as Azhagiya manavalan (one of enchanting beauty) as His charm attracts all.<ref name=":0" /> Not just the deities, even the gopurams (vimanas) ie. the conical structure that is erected towards the sky are also called by specific names. Each temple also has its own pushkarini (pond). And it is mostly, geographically, situated in the vicinity of a river. |