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>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 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>.  

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. From Brahma subsequently the idol was passed on to Ikshvaku, the son of Manu. Years rolled by and then came the turn of Vibhishana who brought the idol and the vimana to the river bank. Vibhishana intended to take the Lord and the Vimana to his kingdom Lanka. Enroute, he kept it on the banks of river Kaveri while he did his evening prayers. Now, the deity got fixed in the earth and was immovable, settling permanently to the ground. Much to the dismay of Vibhishana, 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. 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.  

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" />

=== Sriranga Vaikuntha ===

=== Sriranga Vaikuntha ===