Tiruvarangam Temple

[Guest guest]

Hello Bhaktas,

 

On my recent trip to India I had the opportunity of visiting

several temples in TN. One of them is Tiruvarangam in South Arcot District.

 

I am writing this note to appeal to devotees to support the reconstruction

effort which is well underway, of this very old temple.

 

This is Lord Ranganatha's temple on the banks of the river Pinakini.

This is close to Tirukoilur which is the place where the 3 Alwars met in the

darkness. The idol of Sri Ranganatha (the sleeping posture) is similar

to that at Srirangam but much bigger.

The main idol is extremely striking in appearance and I was amazed

at the sheer size. There is a Sri RAmar sannadhi which has a unique

idol of Anjaneyar in the "vinayam" posture. (Four fingers of the

right hand on the lower chin, looking deeply in admiration at

the Lord). There is a thayyar sannadhi and the other sannadhis are under

renovation (listed below). There is a reasonably big prAkAram which also

houses a big granary which looks it's age. The calm and tranquil

atmosphere is in sharp contrast to the commercial scene prevalent

at most other temples. One can reach this place by bus from Tirukovilur

or take a shorter route by private vehicle which includes a bare-foot

wade through ankle-deep river water. The entire setting is

very idyllic. (Tirukovilur has the famous Ulagalanda Perumal

or Vamana Avatara Temple)

 

There is a reconstruction effort going on, managed by local devotees

who are struggling to meet financial demands. The Govt. is not very

supportive and the burden lies entirely on private donations. I was

requested by the caretaker one Sri Sampath to spread the word of this

beautiful temple and request devotees in this country to help.

 

Here are the details of the temple as provided by Sri Sampath ::

 

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Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tiruvarangam, South Arcot District, Tamil-Nadu.

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Name of the Deity : Sri Ranganathaswamy

 

Name of the Goddess: Sri Ranganayaki

 

Place: Tiruvarangam on the banks of Dakshina Pinakini near

Tirukovilur.

 

Area of the Temple : About 4 acres.

 

Legendary and Historical information:

This place was known as "Krishnaranyam" in legends

and God who has manifested as Sri Ranganathaswamy was responsible for

the destruction of Somagasura and initiating Brahma into Vedic lore.

For the later reason, the vimAnA above the Sanctom-Sanctorum was

named "Chandomaya vimAnA". (Chandas = Vedic metre). This tirtha is

also known as Chandra Pushkarani, as Lord Chandra got his form restored

fully by this holy stAnam. The dialogue between Uma and Maheshwara in

the Uttara Kanda of the Skantha Purana deals with the importance of this

shrine.

In historical times, the temple was initially

constructed by later-Cholas and presumably renovated by the Vijayanagar

Royal house.

 

Renovation already completed:

Weathering course completed, front wall constructed

and a small tower erected in 1970-75 at an approximate cost of One Lakh

rupees by Sri N.D.Bangur of Calcutta. Electrification and Anointment

(Thaila-abhishegam) of the main deity with sandal-oil was also done by

him.

 

Renovation work being completed:

Sri Vedanta Desikar Sannadhi

Sri Viswakshenar Sannadhi

Sri Andal Sannadhi

Sri Krishnan Sannadhi

Sri Raman Sannadhi

Vaikunta Vasal Vimanam

Vahana Mantapa, Pakamaligai

Sri Varadarajar Swami Sannadhi

 

Renovation work to be undertaken:

Main Sanctum-Sanctorum-Vimanas,

flooring and Rajagopuram.

 

The "Mahasamprokshanam" is to be done sometimes soon.

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I personally request you to contribute whatever you can to this

renovation effort. We need to preserve as many of these divya-desams

as possible to retain much of it's religious, historical, architectural and

spiritually-uplifting heritage.

 

If you would like to help --

please make checks payable to "Sri Ranganathaswamy Kainkarya Sabha" and they

can be mailed directly to:

 

V. Sampath Kumar

No. 14, Vanamamalai Street,

Tirukovilur - 605757

Tamil Nadu

India.

 

Or if you prefer, you can mail them to me and I can collectively mail all

checks to him. My address is :

Sudarshan Iyengar

3524 Greystone Dr. #189

Austin, Texas 78731.

 

A hand written (typed!) thank you is certainly not enough to convey appreciation

for the bhaktas' support and desire to do kainkaryam for the temple. Each of

you should try and visit this temple the next time you visit TN. (about 3-1/2

hours

drive from Madras) and spend atleast one day to feel the spiritual ambience of

the place.

 

heartfelt thanks,

 

yours in the service of the Lord, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar,

 

-sudarshan