Srirangam

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Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Cauveri on one side and its tributary kollidam on the other, is a 600 acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sriranganathaswami. The main temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Even muslims are said to have prayed here after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the gold - topped sanctum, but they are allowed into the sixth wall. The whole place is fascinating. Bazaars and Brahmins' houses fill the space between the outer four walls, and you don't have to take your shoes off or deposit your bicycle until you get to the fourth wall. Just past the shoe deposit is an information centre, where you buy the ticket to climb the wall for a panoramic view of the entire complex. A temple guide will unlock the gates and tell you what's what. It's worth engaging one of these guides as

there is much to see and you could easily spend all day wandering around the complex. There's also a small museum containing sculptures. Legend has it that the image of Ranganatha worshipped here, was originally worshipped by the clan of the Ishwakus, and it passed on to Rama. Rama upon his victorious return from Lanka, handed over this image to Vibhishana, who proceded to Lanka with the image. Circumstances caused him to place this image on the banks of the Kaveri, where Srirangam now is. (see Ucchi Pillaiyaar Koyil ) A disappointed Vibhishana returned to SriLanka with the consolation that the image of Ranganatha at SriRangam would face South - in the direction of Lanka. A Chola monarch by name Dharmavaraman is said to have created a temple here. Most of the temple complex standing today, including a grand hall of 1000 beautifully sculptured pillars, was

constructed between the 14th and 17th centuries. Srirangam is also listed as one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples representing the planets. The south Indian temples in this group are: Suryanarcoil........the SunTirupati...............the MoonPalani..................MarsMadurai..............MercuryTiruchendur........JupiterSrirangam...........VenusTirunallaru..........Saturn

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---------- Forwarded message ----------VijayaRaghavan R <vijirangaDec 11, 2007 1:28 PM

Srirangammahalingam v <vmaali, " Vasudevan (Vasu Chemical) " <vinvish

>, santhanam srinivasan <valuesystemss, mythili srinivasan <mythilisri5,

akarshadvtg, RR <shrirrSRIRANGAMExpanded letters

Srirangam is the foremost among the 108 divyadesams (sacred shrines)Ramanuja the great philosopher,saint and reformer streamlined the temple administration of Srirangam Is situated between the 2 rivers Kollidam and CauveryRama the Great worshipped Lord Ranganatha and gave it as a gift to Vibheeshanaa

All the Azhwaars except Madhurakavi have sung in praise of Lord Ranganaathaa in their sacred hymns (247) Namperumal is the name of the Utsava Moorthy (procession deity) and He adorns the Rathna - angi (Precious stone sudded garment)during Vaikunta EkadasiGaruda brought the Sri Rangavimana from Sathyaloka to Ayodhya

Alinaadan Thiruchutru (Built by Thirumangai Azhvaar ) is the 4th Praakaaraa (enclosure ) among the Sapthapraakaaras (7 enclosures) of Srirangam. Many Kings of different dynasties built the various mandapas and sannidhis ,established endowments for conducting festivals

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