Changes

== Structure ==

== Structure ==

The Srirangam Ranganatha temple is known as a Sapta Prakara Sthala. The Ranga vimana embellished with gold stands as a pranava (Aum) 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. And to the right of Thayar sannidhi (Sansctum of the Goddess) is the shrine of Mettu Azhagiya Singar. Here, Lord Narasimha is seen pulling out the entrails of Hiranya and wearing it as garland. 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 Srirangam Ranganatha temple is known as a Sapta Prakara Sthala. The Ranga vimana embellished with gold stands as a pranava (Aum) 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. And to the right of Thayar sannidhi (Sansctum of the Goddess) is the shrine of Mettu Azhagiya Singar. Here, Lord Narasimha is seen pulling out the entrails of Hiranya and wearing it as garland. 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 Rajas 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.

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 Vaikuntha Vasal, a most sacred spot. Every year on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day this entrance assumes special importance and devotees who pass through this channel are believed to enter heaven.<ref name=":0" />  

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 Vaikuntha Vasal, a most sacred spot. Every year on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day this entrance assumes special importance and devotees who pass through this channel are believed to enter heaven.<ref name=":0" />  

It is believed that the river Kaveri is the very same river Viraja that eternally flows in Vaikuntha and Srirangam is considered as a heaven on earth - Bhuloka Vaikuntha. Hence, it is foremost among the 108 divya desas, the last one being Vaikuntha itself.<ref name=":0" />

It is believed that the river Kaveri is the very same river Viraja that eternally flows in Vaikuntha and Srirangam is considered as a heaven on earth - Bhuloka Vaikuntha. Hence, it is foremost among the 108 divya desas, the last one being Vaikuntha itself.<ref name=":0" />

King Dharma Varma, one of the early Chola Kings, 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 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.

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 King 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 ===

=== 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.

* An interesting incident recorded during the period of Nanda Chola is that the Raja once found in his lily pond a heavenly female child floating on a lotus. He took it as a gift from the Almighty and named her Kamalavalli as she was found on the petals of a lotus flower. When she came of age, she met Lord Ranganatha and immediately fell in love with him. The king Nanda Chola consummated her marriage to Ranganatha with great pomp. When the heavenly born daughter was taken inside the sanctum, it is said that she merged with the Lord in a blaze of light. In commemoration of his daughter's marriage, Nanda Chola then constructed two temples, one for Kamalavalli and the other for Azhagiya Manavala at Uraiyur.  

* An interesting incident recorded during the period of Nanda Chola is that the Raja once found in his lily pond a heavenly female child floating on a lotus. He took it as a gift from the Almighty and named her Kamalavalli as she was found on the petals of a lotus flower. When she came of age, she met Lord Ranganatha and immediately fell in love with him. The Raja Nanda Chola consummated her marriage to Ranganatha with great pomp. When the heavenly born daughter was taken inside the sanctum, it is said that she merged with the Lord in a blaze of light. In commemoration of his daughter's marriage, Nanda Chola then constructed two temples, one for Kamalavalli and the other for Azhagiya Manavala at Uraiyur.  

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

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

* It is said that at this temple Thirumangai Alwar recited the Tamil Prabandams to God's satisfaction and immense joy. Since it was his earnest desire and cherished wish that Prabandam should also be recited along with the Vedas on Ekadashi day during bright Margazhi. The Lord who is the nectarine essence of all Vedas immediately obliged and established the practice of reciting both the Tamil Prabanbams and the Sanskrit Vedas. This is followed till this date during Adhyayanan Utsav, preceding and following Vaikuntha Ekadashi.  

* It is said that at this temple Thirumangai Alwar recited the Tamil Prabandams to God's satisfaction and immense joy. Since it was his earnest desire and cherished wish that Prabandam should also be recited along with the Vedas on Ekadashi day during bright Margazhi. The Lord who is the nectarine essence of all Vedas immediately obliged and established the practice of reciting both the Tamil Prabanbams and the Sanskrit Vedas. This is followed till this date during Adhyayanan Utsav, preceding and following Vaikuntha Ekadashi.  

* Sri Ramanuja spent his last twenty years at Srirangam. His Brindavanam is inside the temple on the east. Just as a king rules his country, Ramanuja controlled this temple and hence was rightly called Yathiraja-king of ascetics. Ramanuja is so inseparably linked with this temple that he is enshrined in Vasanta mandapa and his image has been sculpted and kept for all to worship at the Udayavar sannidhi.  

* Sri Ramanuja spent his last twenty years at Srirangam. His Brindavanam is inside the temple on the east. Just as a Raha rules his country, Ramanuja controlled this temple and hence was rightly called Yathiraja-king of ascetics. Ramanuja is so inseparably linked with this temple that he is enshrined in Vasanta mandapa and his image has been sculpted and kept for all to worship at the Udayavar sannidhi.  

* It was at this temple that Lord Ranganatha asked Manavala Mamuni to chant Thiruvazhmozhi. It is said that the Divine Couple regularly enjoyed the recital. It was again at this Divya desa that Lord Ranganatha as a young boy stood before Manavala Mamuni with folded hands engrossed in his poetic recital. It is believed here that the Tulasi-wreathed Lord himself performs the rituals of Manavala Mamuni every year.  

* It was at this temple that Lord Ranganatha asked Manavala Mamuni to chant Thiruvazhmozhi. It is said that the Divine Couple regularly enjoyed the recital. It was again at this Divya desa that Lord Ranganatha as a young boy stood before Manavala Mamuni with folded hands engrossed in his poetic recital. It is believed here that the Tulasi-wreathed Lord himself performs the rituals of Manavala Mamuni every year.  

== Festivals and Seva ==

== Festivals and Seva ==

<blockquote>''"Srirangam is one of the few temples in South India that has festivals to honour its Lord and his consorts throughout the year. A grand total of, approximately, three hundred and twenty two festivals take place annually at the Srirangam temple. To enjoy all festivals of this renowned temple one has to sojourn at least one whole year.", Prof S. Narayanan.''</blockquote>

<blockquote>''"Srirangam is one of the few temples in South India that has festivals to honour its Lord and his consorts throughout the year. A grand total of, approximately, three hundred and twenty two festivals take place annually at the Srirangam temple. To enjoy all festivals of this renowned temple one has to sojourn at least one whole year.", Prof S. Narayanan.''</blockquote>

* It is said that once, the king of Vijaynagara, his spouse, 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 tamil month of Panguni, on full moon day when the Moon is in conjunction with the star Uthara. This is of a special significance as far as Srirangam is concerned because on this day both the Lord and his Consort are seen on the same throne. This rare sight of the heavenly couple is said to have sent Sri Ramanuja into emotional raptures who immediately composed and presented Saranagati Gadhya. And the very next moment he also performed Saranagati and took refuge at the lotus feet of Divine Couple.

* It is said that once, the Raja of Vijaynagara, his spouse, son and daughter-in-law arrived late to witness a festival. When the RAja 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 tamil month of Panguni, on full moon day when the Moon is in conjunction with the star Uthara. This is of a special significance as far as Srirangam is concerned because on this day both the Lord and his Consort are seen on the same throne. This rare sight of the heavenly couple is said to have sent Sri Ramanuja into emotional raptures who immediately composed and presented Saranagati Gadhya. And the very next moment he also performed Saranagati and took refuge at the lotus feet of Divine Couple.

* Likewise, a farmer, after his first successful crop, is said to offer the grains first to the Lord of Srirangarn with the words, Tiruvarangam Periya Koil. They believe that by this, their offering will be returned multifold by the Lords grace.

* Likewise, a farmer, after his first successful crop, is said to offer the grains first to the Lord of Srirangarn with the words, Tiruvarangam Periya Koil. They believe that by this, their offering will be returned multifold by the Lords grace.