Visit to Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu

Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple is also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati Periyakoil. It is located in the temple town of Sriirangam in Tamil Nadu.

Rajagopuram

About Srirangam

Srirangam is located on an island in between the rivers of Kaveri and Kollidam - a tributary of River Kaveri. The small temple town of Srirangam is a part of Tiruchirapalli (Trichy). It is an important Hindu pilgrim place particularly for the Srivaishnavites. It is believed that this pilgrim place is one of the few self-manifested shrines (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) of Lord Vishnu. Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple is the foremost among the 108 Divya Kshetrams / Desams i.e. the sacred shrines of the Vaishnavite sect.

About the temple

The temple is built across a vast area, in a typical Dravidian style of temple architecture. It is also known as Bhooloka Vaikuntham i.e. the Abode of Lord Vishnu on Earth.

Inside the temple premises

There are seven enclosures (i.e. prakaras) with 21 magnificent towers (gopurams) and huge walls. The South Gate is the main entrance gate i.e. the Rajagopuram. This is the largest working Hindu temple in India.
This is one of the three temples of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. The other two temples are located at Srirangapattana (Seringapatam) and Shivanasamudra in Karnataka.

Entrance to Sri Ranganatha Sannidhi

Sri Ranganatha Swamy is the presiding deity of the temple which is in reclining posture i.e in Yogasayana pose. The south-facing black stone idol of Sri Ranganatha Swamy in the yogasayana pose has His head to the West and legs to the East.

Besides the presiding deity of Ranganatha Swamy, there are separate sannidhis / sanctorum for other deities. Ranganayaki (aka Thayyar - i.e. Goddess Lakshmi Devi) is the consort of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. There is a separate sannidhi / shrine for Ranganayaki in the temple premises. There are also separate shrines for Chakkarathalwar (the Celestial Disc of Lord Vishnu), Garudalwar (Garuda - the Divine Vehicle of Lord Vishnu), Ramanujar (Saint Ramanujahari), Dhanwantri and Hayagreva.

Lakshmi Devi (Thayyaru) Sannidhi

According to historical evidences, the origin of the temple dates back to 1st century CE (Current Era) during the Sangam period from 3rd century BCE (Before Current Era). There is no clear history about the temple, however, the available archeological inscriptions date back to 9th or 10th century C.E (Current Era). During our visit to the temple in October 2018, I was quite surprised to see Telugu inscriptions on the rocks of the floor inside the temple premises.

Telugu inscription on rock

Temple timings

Temple opens for devotees at 6 a.m with Viswaroopa Seva from 6 a.m to 7:15 a.m

Pooja timings - No darshan

• 7:15 a.m to 9 a.m
• 12 noon to 1:15 p.m
• 6 p.m to 6:45 p.m

Darshan timings

• 9 a.m to 12 noon.
• 1:15 p.m to 6 p.m
• 6:45 to 9 p.m

Darshan / Seva Tickets

• Quick Darshan - Rs.100/- per person and Rs.250/- per person.
• Viswaroopa darshan - Rs.100/- per person.

Important Festivals celebrated in the temple

1. Jyestabhishekam celebrated in the Hindu month of Jyestham (June-July).
2. Pavitrotsvam celebrated in August - September
3. Janmashtami celebrated as Sri Jayanti
4. Dolotsavam / Oonjal celebrated in the Hindu month of Aswayuja (October)
5. Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadasi in December / January
6. Viruppan in the Hindu month of Phalguna (March / April)

About Trichy

Old Tiruchy / Trichy / Tiruchirapalli is city of historical importance. The city is 2,500 years old and was the capital of early Chola kings.

Trichy is well connected with rail, road and air routes to all major cities of India. Srirangam is almost a part of Trichy and is at a distance of 9 Km from Trichy Rail Station.