Sri Ranganathaswami Temple

The Sri Ranganathaswami Temple Trichy is a Hindu Temple in Tamil Nadu that has been dedicated to Lord Ranganatha who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth. So, for the devotees of Lord Vishnu, this is a noble place for offering homage.

The Sri Ranganathaswami Temple occupies an area of about 156 hectares and so it is the largest temple in India. The Sri Ranganathaswami Temple is the biggest operating Hindu Temple on earth. There had been another temple, named Angkor Wat which was the largest but due to some war, it was ravished. So, no Pujas are now performed there.

History of Sri Ranganathaswami Temple

Visiting the Ranganathaswamy temple can be a fascinating experience for history enthusiasts as well as devotees.

Here, they can get a glimpse into the temple’s history, which goes back to the 3rd century B.C. as per some historians. Alternate views suggest it was built later in the 9th century A.D. by the Gangas, the ruling dynasty based at Talakkadu on the banks of the Kaveri. Nevertheless, the temple became an important hub for both, religion and culture over the next few centuries.

Though its location on an island lodged between two rivers saw it being invaded several times, it remained an influential center for the growing Bhakti movement. Today considered among the largest Hindu temple complexes in the world, it was rebuilt in the late 14th century. It also saw additions to its original structure in the 16th, 17th, and 21st centuries.

The temple offers testimony to the cultural diversity and exchange that was prevalent during its early period; modern-day visitors can expect to find historic inscriptions not just in Tamil, but also in Sanskrit, Telegu, Marathi, Oriya, and Kannada. The scripts used for these inscriptions include Tamil as well as a Grantha – a script used by Tamil and Malayalam scholars to write Sanskrit since the 6th century A.D.

Architecture of Sri Ranganathaswami Temple

Apart from its religious and cultural significance, the Srirangam Temple also merits a visit for its architectural glory. The world’s largest functioning Hindu temple, the complex is designed in the quintessential Dravidian architecture style.

Spread over 155 acres, it welcomes guests with seven Prakarams or compounds, representing the seven chakras related to our body and soul. Inside the compound, the area stands 81 shrines, 21 stunning gopurams, and 39 grand pavilions. Built-in stone with elaborate carvings, the complex has over 800 inscriptions that offer insights into religious and social influences during the medieval era. The complex is also home to frescoes depicting scenes from Hindu scriptures and legends as well as those from the life of religious scholars.

A noteworthy architectural element within the temple complex is the Hall of 1000 Pillars. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, this granite structure features a mandapam (hall) as well as water tanks in the center. Guests should especially look out for the eight monolithic pillars that feature marvelous sculptures of warriors in action.