Sri Ranganathar temple Srirangam

Srirangam is also known as Bhoologa Vaikundam . Here the Lord Vishnu is known as Sriranganathar . This is the first and foremost of all the divyadeshams comes under Cholanadu divyadeshams . From Trichy it is 8 kms .

It is the largest temple in Asia and occupies about 156 acres and has the highest gopuram too .

Srirangam is surrounded by river Cauvery and kollidam is a sacred place for all Vaisnavites . The Lord here is Sriranganathar in a sleeping posture ( Ananda sayanam ) .

The temple has 7 praharas ,4 praharas within the temple complex and 3 outside occupied by shops and houses . This massive complex have 21 gopurams and 53 upasannidhis .

Sriranganathar is in ananda sayanam on a five headed Adiseshan , stretching his leg in the east direction and watching demon King Yaman . The Lords right hand is kept under his head as a pillow and his left hands on his lap pointing his feet , which denotes all souls gets terminated in his feet finally .

Sthalapuranam as per legends say Lord Brahma was born in a lotus from the navel of Lord Vishnu . Due to Brahmas deep penance Lord Vishnu appeared before him in Pranavakrithi Vimanam in a reclining position (swamvaktha sthethram) . To do the daily pooja rituals to the Lord Sriranganathar Brahma appointed Suriyan . Later Suriyakulam King Itchvaghu brought Lord Sriranganathar along with the pranavakrithi Vimana to Ayodhya . King Itchvaghu being the ancestor of Lord Rama . Lord Rama after his return from Lanka killing King Ravana gifted this idol of Lord Sriranganathar along with the Pranavakrithi Vimana to Vibhishanan . Vibhishanan carried this Vimana to Lanka on the way he took rest in the banks of river Cauvery . After taking rest when he lifted the Vimana he couldn’t lift , feeling sad he tried for many days . One day Lord Sriranganathar comes in his dreams and says he likes to stay in Srirangam permanently and will show his grace upon Vibhishanan facing at Lanka . That’s how the Lord Sriranganathar came to Srirangam .

There are 7 nachiyars in Srirangam
1 . Sridevi
2 . Bhumidevi
3 . Thuluka nachiyar
4 . Chera kula valli nachiyar
5 . Kamalavalli nachiyar
6 . Kothai
7 . Ranganayaki

11 alwars has sung the glory of Lord Sriranganathar.

Kamba Ramayanam was first recited by kambar in Srirangam temple complex .

Goddess Andal got merged to the Lord here .

Lord Ramanujar attains Mukthi in this place. Lord Ramanujar has a seperate sannidhi and is believed his physical body is preserved in sitting posture in the temple complex as the Lord Sriranganathar himself has ordered this . All Vaishnavaites believes he is still alive and is looking after this temple nirman ( rituals ) .