A glimpse of Srirangam Temple

Let’s have a glimpse of majestic temple which allure millions of devotees every year. Srirangam temple, a divine holy dham, is first among 108 divya desam. The main deity here is Lord Ranganatha, none other than Lord Vishnu in Ananthasayanam form (lying on an adishesha, a thousand headed serpent).

This Magnificent temple is built with in 156 acres, with 21 gopuras and 7 Parakars also known as thiru veedhi and 9 sacred ponds of holy waters. Can you believe? Among all these gopuras, one standouts for its majestic built which is the Rajagopuram. It is 239.5 feet tall. Some believe that these 7 enclosures of the temple represents upper 7 Realms.

My experience at Srirangam Temple

Unplanned trip to Srirangam Temple left me baffled. Me and my spouse made an overnight plan. We went to Srirangam.The trip was one of the best and most memorable one, especially when you have a glimpse of Lord Ranganatha.

I got goosebumps, when I saw the lord Ranganatha who is one of the most beautiful form of lord Vishnu, I was not able to believe my own eyes. The very sight of God, the chanting of Govinda felt like I was in Vaikuntha.

As usual as any famous temple in India, you’re not allowed to stand there for more than one minute. They literally drag you, same as Tirumala which upsets many devotees. Apart from that I was contented that we were able to get a glimpse of Lord Ranganatha. I experienced pure devotion and happiness.

Another moment I remember is going under Rajagopuram and looking at it, one of its kind of experience.

Legends of Srirangam Temple

Once Lord Brahma, one among the trinity, the lord of creation, undergoes severe penance to get the blessing of Mahavishnu, the Parabrahman. Lord Vishnu who was impressed by Brahma’s penance appear before him in Ananthasayanam pose on the Vimana as Lord Ranganatha.

Lord Brahma prostrates to Lord and follows the instruction of Lord and takes the Ranganatha Vimana to Sathyaloka(higher realm) and worships there.

Later it was passed down to king Ishvaku, ruler of Ayodhya by Bramha when the king undergoes hundreds of years of Tapas for Ranganatha Vimana. Rulers of Ayodhya worshipped Lord Ranganatha, even Lord Rama worshipped his own form.

Now the actual story of great temple begins:

As we all know the greatest war of righteousness in human history which took place between Lord Rama and Evil doer Ravana who abducted Maa Sita. A war to show to human society even a great devotee of Lord Shiva for his heinous act of abducting other’s wife brought him death with eternal bad reputation.

Few people in Lanka were not very pleased with Ravana’s awful behavior towards Maa Sita. Few supported Lord Rama. One among them is Vibhishana, brother of Ravana. After Lord Rama releases the most powerful weapon to kill Ravana on Dussehra, Ravana realized Lord Rama is none other than his Lord Vishnu whom he dearly worshipped when he was a guarding Vaikuntha and Sita devi is none other than Lakshmi Devi( consort of Mahavishnu) . Due to the curse of Kumaras he was born as Ravana.

After Ravana’s death, his brother Vibhishana was made the King of Lanka. After Rama became King of Ayodhya, Lord Rama blessed everyone with presents. Vibhishana who is disheartening to leave Ayodhya requests the Lord’s presence in Lanka.

Lord Rama gaves Vibhishana Lord Ranganatha Vimana as his blessing cautioning that if the Vimana touch ground it will get fixed in that place and hence not to place anywhere until he reaches Lanka.

Unfortunately, Vibhishana after reaching Srirangam places the Vimana in the ground as there happened to be a festival celebration. After the festival, he tries to take the vimana from ground. However, all his efforts goes in vain. He requests and beg the Lord to move the Vimana.

Lord finally tells Vibhishana not to get disappointed. He will bless Lanka from there by facing South. Even today Lord Ranganatha’s idol will be facing south direction towards Sri lanka.

Disclaimer:

Whoever is planning a trip to South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, do visit the majestic and divine dham where Lord himself is present in the form of Sri Ranganatha to bless his devotees.

!! OM NAMO NARAYANAYA !!

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