Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

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For information about other temples of Lord Ranganatha, see Ranganathaswamy Temple (disambiguation).

Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple
A major Sri Vaishnavism temple
The temple gopuram
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityRanganatha (Vishnu)
FestivalsSri Vaishnavism festivals
Location
LocationKarnataka, India
StateKarnataka
CountryIndia
Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna is located in India
Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna
Shown within India
Geographic coordinates12°25′29″N 76°40′47″E / 12.4247524°N 76.6797229°E / 12.4247524; 76.6797229Coordinates: 12°25′29″N 76°40′47″E / 12.4247524°N 76.6797229°E / 12.4247524; 76.6797229
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Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
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A view of the tower in Vijayanagara style from inside the complex, near the small pushkarni (temple tank)

The Ranganthaswamy temple (usually referred to as "Sri Ranganathaswamy") in Srirangapatna, in the Mandya district of Karnataka state, India, is dedicated to the Hindu god Ranganatha (a manifestation of the god Vishnu). It is one of the five important pilgrimage sites of along the river Kaveri for devotees of Ranganatha. These five sacred sites are together known as Pancharanga Kshetrams in Southern India. Since Srirangapatna is the first temple starting from upstream, the deity is known as Adi Ranga (lit; "first Ranga").[1] The town of Srirangapatna, which derives its name from the temple, is located on an island in the river Kaveri.

History[]

According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the temple is one of considerable antiquity. An inscription at the temple reveals it was first consecrated in 984 A.D. by a local chief called Tirumalaiah, a vassal of the Western Ganga dynasty. In the early 12th century, Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana (r.1108-1152) granted the village of Srirangapatna to the Vaishnava saint Ramanujacharya as an agraharam (place of learning). An inscription of the great Hoysala King Veera Ballala II (1210 A.D.) confirms that additions and renovations were made to the temple at that time.[2] The tower over the entrance bears features consistent with Vijayanagara architecture. According to historian George Michell, contributions were also made by the Wodeyar kings of the Kingdom of Mysore. The temple was not destroyed by the Marathas as claimed because they were strong Hindu supporters. The temple is just 400 metres away from Tipu palace. [3][4] The temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.[5] According to historian K.V. Soundararajan, the Ranganatha temples in South India built during the 9th and 10th centuries have a systematic arrangement of subsidiary deities as seen in this temple along with the Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple at Koviladi, Sowmya Narayana Perumal temple at Thirukoshtiyur, Veeraraghava Perumal Temple at Thiruevvul and Rajagopalaswamy temple at Mannargudi.[6]

Temple plan[]

The temple has an imposing tower over the entrance gate (gopura) and two large concentric rectangular enclosures (prakara) around its perimeter. The entrance to the inner sanctum (garbhagriha) is through multiple columned halls (mantapa).[4] A vestibule (sukhanasi), hall (navaranga or just mantapa) and a front hall (mukhamantapa) are the other main structures in the temple. The roof of the mukhamantapa is decorated with a "garland" ("hara") of miniature decorative towers (called "kudu" and "sala" shikharas) whose niches contain stucco images of the god Vishnu.[2]

In the sanctum, the image of Vishnu reclines on the coils of the snake Adisesha, under a canopy formed by the snake's seven hoods, with his consort Lakshmi at his feet. Flanking Vishnu are other deities from the Hindu pantheon; Sridevi, Bhudevi (goddess of earth) and Brahma (the creator). There are other smaller shrines within the complex dedicated to Narasimha (an avatar of Vishnu), Gopalakrishna, Srinivasa (manifestation of Vishnu), Hanuman, Garuda and the Alwar saints.[2]

The Three sacred sites for Smartha -BaboorKamme & Sri Vaishnava Sects of South India, Both Adi Shankara and Ramanujacharya has visited and glorified the deities in their Hymns. The following temples are considered the five sacred sites of worship of the god Ranganatha and are together called Pancharanga Kshetram (Pancha-"five", ranga-"Ranganatha", Kshetram-"sites").[1][7]

Temple Location
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Srirangapatna - ADI RANGA - 1st Holy Site and Very Important Site of Ranganatha Temples in south India

Madhya Ranga Temple - 2nd Most Holy temple of Sri Ranganatha in south India , located in Shivanasamudra in Mandya District of Karnataka

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, is located at Shivanasamudra in Mandya District of Karnataka.The Government of Karnataka has improved the temple and now many pilgrims across south India Visit this famous Site .

Here, Sri Ranganathaswamy is called as "Madhya Ranga. The God is in reclining posture as found in Srirangam and Srirangapatnam. It is said that the God here represents 'Youth' and hence also called as "Mohana Ranga".

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Srirangam- 3rd Anthya Ranga or last Holy Site of Sri Ranganatha temple in south India -Most Holy temple of Sri Ranganatha in south India
Sarangapani Temple Kumbakonam - not part of three important Ranganatha kshetrams but listed as five pancharangas .
Sri Appakkudathan Temple Trichy-- not part of three important Ranganatha kshetrams but listed as five pancharangas .
Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple Indalur, Mayiladuthurai- - not part of three important Ranganatha kshetrams but listed as five pancharangas .
Ranganatha Temple, Nellore Nellore-- not part of three important Ranganatha kshetrams but listed as five pancharangas .

Gallery[]

  • A profile of the gopuram (tower) over entrance in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna

  • A view of the entrance into the main temple hall (mukhamantapa) with Vishnu avatars such as Narasimha, Vamana, Rama and Krishna on top

  • Lathe turned pillars, a Hoysala addition to the temple, in the inner open mantapa (hall) in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna

  • A view of the prakara (bounding wall) in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna

  • A relief sculpture on a minor shrine on a pedastal in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna

  • A relief sculpture on a minor shrine on a pedestal in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna

  • An open mantapa (hall) inside the complex in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna

  • Chariot at Sri Ranganathaswamy temple

See also[]

  • Vaishnavism
  • Divya Desams
  • Pancharanga Kshetrams

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b Dalal (2011), p339
  2. ^ a b c "Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple". Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle. ASI Bengaluru Circle. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple". Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle. ASI Bengaluru Circle. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b Michell (1995), p71
  5. ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments – Karnataka -Bangalore, Bangalore Circle, Karnataka". Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India. Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  6. ^ K. V., Soundara Rajan (1967). "The Typology of the Anantaśayī Icon". Artibus Asiae. 29 (1): 80. JSTOR 3250291.
  7. ^ "Pancharanga Kshetrams". indiantemples.com. Retrieved 20 June 2007. External link in |work= (help)

References[]

External links[]

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