பச்சை மாமலை போல் மேனி பவளவாய் கமலச்செங்கண்

அச்சுதா ! அமரேறே ! ஆயர்தம்கொழுந்தே ! என்னும்

இச்சுவை தவிர யான்போய் இந்திரலோகம் ஆளும்

அச்சுவை பெறினும் வேண்டேன் அரங்கமா நகருளானே

( தொன்றடிப்பொடியாழ்வார் அருளிச் செய்த திருமாலை )

About Srirangam and its Legends

The abode of Lord Ranganatha in Srirangam, is as ancient as Ramayana. Ranga means a platform (Arangam) , a beautiful stage. Natha means the Lord. Rangam also means our own Antarangam; inner conscience. Natha is the Lord at our heart. Nam-Perumal ( our God ) is another name of Ranganatha. Srirangam is the only temple in India with seven enclosures (Praakaras).The other place is the heavenly Vaikunta. The Vedas sing the glory of Vaikunta, the God's Kingdom as the one with seven beautiful wide enclosures. Hence Srirangam is hailed as Bhoo-Loka-Vaikunta by all the scriptures and saints. The heavenly Vaikunta stands on the other side of the sacred river Vinaja Nadi. In Srirangam too, similar is the flow of the river Cauveri.

According to a legend, the celebrated, "Srirangam Vimana" with Lord Ranganatha inside, rose out of the "Milky Ocean" at the prayer of the creator. Brahma, who enshrined it in Satyaloka, comissioned the Sun-God to perform the daily worship. Ikshvaku, a scion of the sun-race became priviledged to have it installed in his palace at Ayodhya. His successors continued the worship. His more famous descendant-Sri Rama - ( An Avatara of Lord Vishnu ) gifted it during his coronation to Vibhishana with instructions to worship it constantly. While returning to Sri-Lanka, Vibishana chanced to place it on the bank of the Tank "Chandra Pushkarni" ( situated north in the islet) where it got firmly embedded, a place fit for the Gods - a spot filled with fragrance of different flowers in the thick groves fenced by the bent bamboos ( according to Silapathikaram ). Dharmavarma of the early Chola Dynasty, ruling from Nisulapuri (Woraiyou) who was performing penance then on the banks of "Chandra Pushkarni", saw the glittering Sri Ranga Vimana. He consoled Vibhishna, who left for Sri Lanka. Dharmavarma built a shrine which was grown to the present dimensions and arranged for regular worship.

This temple and the Lord has been sung by all the ten Azhwars (except Madhura Kavi Azhwar) and Andal. It is also believed that Swami Desigan received the following titles "Kavidharkiha Simham" (கவிதார்க்கிஹ ஸிமஹம்) from Lord Ranganathar and "Sarvathanthraswathanthrar" (ஸர்வதந்த்ர ஸ்வதந்த்ரர்) from Thayar. Swami Desigan sang his famour "Padhuka Sahasram" on this Diety.

I present following points which have historical backings and some based on my observations.

This temple has close connection with Tirumala. During the invasion of Malik Kafur - a tyrant turkish king - the Utsawar was taken to Tirumala where it was installed and all the ordained pujas were performed between 1320 to 1360 AD. The place where this idol was installed in Tirumala temple is known as Ranganayaka Mandapam.

Also, I understand that during the annual Brahmotsawam of Goddess Alarmelmanga (Padmavathy Thayar), the palanquin bearers of Srirangam Lord are invited to offer similar services to Thayar on certain days. (If somebody can elucidate me how or when this practice was evolved , I will be obliged).

The famous Thirupalli Ezhuchi (Kathiravan guna disai sigaram vandhadainthan ... ) is recited at Tirumala during Margazhi month (dhanur maasa) instead of the Venkatesa Suprabatham which is recited during the rest of the year.

My Experience

I have had the privilege of having the darshan of Lord Sri Ranganathar many times (during my official visits to Trichy). Among the darshans I have had, I will rate Viswaroopa Darshan as one of the best. With very little crowd around six in the morning, the serene atmosphere offers a blissful experience. For the benefit of persons who have not had this darshan I narrate the same.

With the temple cow (or her calf) in the front and the temple elephant standing in the rear, the screen is drawn aside while the temple priest offers Karpoora Harathi simultaneously. Along with the sacred cow and the elephant this first Harathi can be witnessed by us as well. After the cow and the elephant are led away, the devotes can step into the inner prakaram to have darshan of the Lord from close quarters.

Ranganayaki Thayar is beauty personified and a look at Her face will wash away everyone's anxieties and sufferings. True to the word, Thayar, this Universal Mother is full of kindness and grant a true devotee every wish he/she desires and forgives one's sins as a normal mother does to her children.

There are so many other Sannidhis in this temple and among them one will find a Sannidhi dedicated to Danvanthri - doctor to the gods - which is not found in any other temple. It is believed that praying to Danvanthri will cure all ills and sickness.

Saint Ramanuja attained Samadhi in this Divya Kshetram. His mortal remains in "sitting and Upadesa Mudhirai posture" are housed in a separate Sannidhi and "a must see one".

There are also other Sannidhis (the priests in charge of these will refer them each as a separate temple) dedicated to Lord Rama, Krishna, a 20 feet Garudazhwar, Sugreeva and Angathan (we cannot see separate sannidhis for these two Vanara Kings in any other temple) etc.

History has recorded that the saint poet, Kamban (Azhwar) offered Kamba Ramayanam from this temple. It is a lovely mandapam and one will be fascinated to see how much space has been provided for the viewers / listeners and the imposing pedestal on which the poet sat during his offering.

ஆழ்வார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்

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