Srirangam is the First and Foremost among 108 Divyadesams
There are 8 Swayam Vyaktha Kshetras. The remaining 7 temples are Srimushnam in Viruthachalam, Tirumala Tirupati in Andhrapradesh, Salagramam - Mukthinath in Nepal, Thiru Naimisaranyam in Uttarpradesah, Thiruseerivaramangai near Tirunelveli, Pushkaram in Rajasthan and Badhrinath near Uttharkand. Srirangam is one of the Pancha Ranga Kshetram. Other four are Srirangapatnam, Thiruppernagar, Thiru Indhalur and Thirukkudanthai. Everything is BIG Here in Srirangam Divyadesam - Srirangam Temple is also worshipped as Periya Koil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, Bogha Mandamam, Andarkon Arangam. The temple is so enormous in its total covered area which is around 150 acres with 7 Prkaras and 21 Towers. Srirangam is the Only temple in India with 7 enclosures, a sacred symbolic number, represents the seven elements making up the human body, in the center of which dwells The Soul - The Almighty. Moolavar Ranganathar is Periya Perumal. Thayar is Periya Piratti. Periya Thiruvadi Garudalwar’s statue is about 20 feet. Naivedhyams are Periya Thiruppaniyarangal. The Raja Gopuram - Main Temple Tower of Srirangam Temple is worshipped as Rayar Gopuram. It is the tallest temple tower in Asia, with a heigt about 236 feet with 13 Tiers and 13 Kalasas. It was started by King Krishna Deva Rayar, and was completed by the 44th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt. The One and Only Divyadesam hymned by All 11 Azhwars with 247 Pasurams - Among the 12 Alwars Mathurakavi Alwar never praised hymns on any of the Temples, Perumals and Thayars, where as all his hymns are only about praising his Guru Nammalvar. There are 21 magnificent towers in all the 7 enormous prakaras, which represents the 7 Lokhas and they are worshipped as starting from the Sanctum Sanctorum as Sathya Loham, Thabo Loham, Jano Loham, Mahara Loham, Suvar Loham, Bhuvar Loham and Booloham. Among 108 Divyadesams, Srirangam is the One and Only Temple on which all the 11 Azhwars were made Mangalaasaasanam with their 247 Pasurams. Second one is Tirumala Tirupati, hymned by 9 Azhwars with 202 Pasurams and Thirukudanthai Divyadesam - Sarangapani Temple sung by 7 Azhwars with 51 Pasurams. The name of the city itself was derived from the Almighty only. Ranganathar is also worshipped as in Tamil as Thiru Seerangan and the city HE resides was called as Thiru Seerangan Palli. Palli means Resides. Later it was called as Thiru Seeran Palli and now as Tiruchirapalli.
An Enormous Temple having 53 Upa Sannidhis - Sanctum Sanctorums
Tthe temple complex comprises of about 53 Upa Sannathis which includes Sanctum Sanctorums for Thayar, , Sri Udayavar Ramanujar, Periya Thiruvadi Garudalwar, Dhanvantri, Hyagreevar and Mettazhagiya Singar. Araiyar Sevai ( Reciting Nalayira Divyaprabandham with its own unoque Raga and Instruments is called as Araiyar Sevai ) is very famous and an important custom here in Sreerangam. Garbagraha Golden Vimanam and Paravasudevar Vigraham are auspicious and should have dharshan. Attachments of Azhwars with Srirangam - Srirangam is very much attached to the Azhwars. This is the birth place of Thiruppan Azhwar, who entered the temple first time in his life and attained Moksham. There is a celebration on the Month of Panguni during which Thayar will have a dispute with Arangan as he married Kamalavalli Nachiyar of Thirukozhi without her permission and this festival is celebrated as "Pranaya Kalaham" where Nammazhwar pacify both. Thirumangai Azhwar raised huge Prakarams and Compound. Thondaraipodi Azhwar was maintaining a graden exclusively for worshipping Arangan with flowers. Madurakavi Azhwar brought his Guru Nammazhwar to Srirangam. When Kambar, the Tamil Poet was tried to recite his Kamba Ramayanam here, it was objected the acharyars as in Kamba Ramayanam there is Hiranya Samharam. At that time there was a huge roaring voice from the Azhakiya Mettu Singar that HE accepted Kambar’s Ramayanam. The holy place where Kambar recited his Ramayanam is being worshipped as "Kambar Mandapam". |
