'SRIRANGAM' The Largest Vaisnavite Temple

The Ranganatha Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the reclining form is situated in SRIRANGAM. This Temple is just 10km away from TRICHY. The Renganathasamy temple existence since 10th century. Many kings of dynasties contributed to the construction of the temple throughout.

The largest Gopuram that is 73m tall is completed only in 1987. This temple constructed at 60 hectors of land with its seven walls and 21 gopurams is the largest and most sacred Vaishnavite temple complex in India.

Srirangam, the largest Vaishnava temple in Srirangam, Trichy, South India is the first and foremost among the 108 Vaishnava Temples. All the Alvars have sung in pay tribute to the deity enshrined in the huge temple in the center of the Srirangam town. The Sri Vaishnava Acharyas from Nathamuni are found to have taken an energetic and abiding interest in the management of the temple. Throughout Ramanuja's time, far reaching restructuring were initiated both in the religious and secular management. Thus Srirangam has an action-packed history, both secular and religious, as the great Vaishnava Acharyas made it the command centre of the wider Vaishnava movement. Here is an effort to present its hectic history in a nutshell - both the traditional and historical.

In the Vaishnava phraseology, the term "Koil" indicates the Srirangam temple only. The temple is gigantic in size. The temple complex is 156 acres in area. It has seven enclosures or Tiru Veedhis. These enclosures are created by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. The total span of these seven walls is 32,592 feet or over six miles. There are wonderful towers in all enclosures providing a exclusive sight to any visitor. The most recent addition is the 236 feet high amazing thirteen tired Rajagopuram built at the southern rampart by the late 44th Jeeyar of the Sri Ahobila Mutt and sanctified in 1987 with great fanfare and religious holiness. The majesty of the towers decrease as one moves away from, them towards the sanctum representing that the devotee has to move away from the tall earthly attachments in his spiritual quest.

This Temple is absolute in all respects. It has the full accompaniment of seven Prakaras. It has a key shrine where the Lord (Ranganatha) is found in a lie down posture in his serpent bed. There are also small place of worship for Vishvaksena, Rama, Krishna, Nachiyar, Chakratalvar, Garuda, Hanuman, Andal etc. and for all the alvars and the acharyas upto Vedanta Desika within the boundaries.

The Temple lies on an island, created by the twin rivers Cauveri and Kollidam. The river has always been a very significant attachment of a Hindu temple or religious institutions and therefore held as sacred as the temple.

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Due to the celebrated temple, Srirangam has a flourishing economy based on tourism. Tourists come from all around India and international destinations. The number of tourists to the town increases very much during the festivals like Vaikunda Ekadesi which falls on the Tamil month of Marghazi.

Srirangam is one of the few temples which are always being packed by tourists.
There are many other celebrated temples near Srirangam. They consist of Rockfort temple, Samayapuram temple, Tiruvaanaikovil temple, Kumara Vaiyalur temple, Uraiyur Vekkali Amman temple, Kaatazhagiya singer temple etc.

Srirangam town is also home to several thousand people who work in offices and industries situated in Trichy. The Government transport linking Srirangam to Trichy (route #1) is very regular.

Srirangam is place of festivity which commemorates festivals all through the year (365 festivals in a year). Throughout these festivals, the image of Lord Ranganatha is brought out into the streets of Srirangam even as many disciples wait to see the statue. These rituals are called Perumal Purapadu.

The Tamil month of Margazhi(between December and January) is culturally very important. The Ekadashi day of Margazhi falls on a full moon day and is acknowledged with Lord Renganatha's presiding deity of the abode "Lord Vaigunda". That's why this day is called Vaikunda Ekadashi. According to Agama Sastra, special religious rituals are conducted for Lord Ranganatha on this day. This Vaigunda Ekadashi festival is celebrated for ten days.

Highlight of this festivity is opening the Swarga Vasal (Door of the Heaven) ceremony. During these rituals chanting the hymns form the THIRUWAIMOZHI of saint Nammalwar is conducted. Even today, it is a common norm to open the Swarga Vasal on Vaigunda Ekadashi day. This celebration is called RAPPATHTHU. Traditionally most Vaishnava Acharyas (priests of the Vaishnava tradition) observing the Vaigunda Ekadashi festival in all the Vaishnavite temples in grand manner.