Aadhi Thiruvarangam . The main diety of this temple is Gigantic Sri Ranganathar bigger than the Lord at Srirangam .
Chennai- Villupuram- 160kms, Villupuram – Thiru kovilur- 40kms (Frequent buses from 3.30am from Villupuram new bus stand), Thiru Kovilur- Manalurpet – 15kms (Government and Private bus every half hour), Manalurpet- Adhirangam-5kms (mini buses- local buses ply here every half hour)
Located about 60kms South West of Villupuram on the banks of the now completely dry South Pennai river is Aadhi Thiruvarangam , an almost unknown and yet, one of the oldest temples for Lord Ranganathar .
This temple dates back to the first Yugam (Kretha Yugam) and the first Avathaaram (Matsya Avathaaram). Hence, this Kshetram is referred to as ‘Aadhi’ Rangam .
Lord Ranganatha is seen in a gigantic east facing sleeping posture and measures over 15 feet, not seen in any Divya Desam , though this temple is not a Divyadesham. It is considered as one of the prathana sthalams with His consort Goddess Ranganayaki Thayar .
This is a Prarthana Sthalam for
Good Education (as the Lord initiated Brahmma with the Vedic lessons)
Progeny (as the Lord granted the wishes of the King who prayed here) and one’s overall well being as Lord Ranganathar himself directed that an image of his be created at this place.
As per legend, a demon king named Somukan stole all the Vedas from the Devas and all the sages were worried. They appealed to Lord Vishnu, who appeared as Ranganathar at this place to emerge from water to rescue the scriptures. He is also believed to have advised Brahma at this place. As per another legend, a king named Surakeerthi who was childless worshipped Lord Vishnu at this place to get children . Chandra, the moon god, lost all his glow on account of a curse he incurred. The celestial deities advised him to worship Vishnu at this place. He established a tank and worshipped Ranganathar with the holy waters and believed to have been relieved off his curse. The temple tank , Chandra Pushkarani, is believed to be the tank he established .
The temple is considered as Periya Perumal temple, meaning the image of presiding Ranganathar is larger than the one found at Sri Ranganathar temple at Srirangam .
We had the divine dharshan of this Lord after our visit to Thirukovilur as both temples are near each other .
Ranjus travel blog 