• Vishnu

Ranganathaswamy Temple

Overview


The temple enshrines Lord Vishnu. The Ganaga chieftain, Tirumalaiya built this temple which was later expanded by the Hoysalas, Vijayanagar monarchs, Mysore Udayars and Hyder Ali. The construction is a mixture of the Hoysala and Vijayanagar styles. The shrine has fort-like walls and a Gopura in Vijayanagar style of architecture.


About the Temple


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). 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.

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.

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 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 KingVeera Ballala II (1210 A.D.) confirms that additions and renovations were made to the temple at that time. 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 is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance. According to historian K.V. Soundararajan, the Rangantha 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 Mannargudi and Rajagopalaswamy temple at Mannargudi.


About the Deity


The idol of Lord Ranganatha is in reclining posture on the bed laid out by the serpent Aadi Sesha is about 4.5 meters in length.


Legend and Stories


The water of Cauvery is similar to the water of the scared viraj river which is found in Vykunta. the temple of Lord Ranganatha is Vykunta, itself Lord Ranganatha is none other than Sri Vasudeva. God Ranganatha has manifiested himself in three places in the east at Srirangam, in the south at Ananthashaynam and in the west at Sriangapatna. At these three Places the idols are swamy Vyakt tha Moorthies i.e. they are not been made by man but have been formed by themselves. The scared Place of Lord Ranganatha of the west is Considered to be very holy palce by the Devas including Bramha Rudra and by the Nithyasuris such as Sanaka and by the Rishis such as Kapila.

Once Cauvery performed thapas with prayer to Lord Ranganatha. Resting on Sri Adishesha at the Junction of three river flows of Cauvery at Srirangapatna. The Lord was Pleased with her penance and gave her three benedictions, Viz the river would have greater sacredness than the Ganges. The place Srirangapatna would became a Kshetra a place of pilgrimage and, That he Ranganatha would settle himself here alone bestowing on his devotees their desires.

Lord Ranganatha then was worshiped by the Cauvery and he took the form of an idol resting on shree adishesha. Sri Lakshmi visited the scared idol of Lord along with Cauvery and realized the greatness of the Great Lord. She then took bath in the scared river and after worshiping the Lord took the form of an idol on the South East side of the Lord. Realizing the Spiritual Sacredness of the place God Brahma, Rudra and others came there and worshiped Lord. Lord Bramha built temples for the God and the Goddess. All the devas worshiped the Lord Bramha preached the Pancharathna method of worship to Narada in order to worship Lord Ranganatha.

The words of Bramha to Narada on the sacredness of this place are notable. No other place in the whole universe is sequal in sacredness to this place.this as the most scared among all the Kshetras. A place equal to this palce was never found in the past, will never be found in the future. Once there was a terrible famine in the country and the Rishis found it very difficult to get water for bathing etc., they went in search of a suitable place for their ablution etc. On their way they came back to the hermitage of Sri Gowthama. On the bank of the river Godavari, Gowthama felt greatly pleased on the arrival of the rushis and welcoming them requested them to remain in his ashrama for some time more. they did so, on his way to river Godavri Gowthama sowed the paddy seeds in the fields with the help of his disciples. He returned from the river after his ablution by his disciples brought the corn, which had already grown and after removing the husk of the corn got a delicious meal prepared for them and served them with it.

On seeing such a good feat served to them some of the Rushis became Jealous of him. Thought of driving away Gowthama from the hermitage so that they might settle themselves there the next day, they created a cow and by the power of their tapas and made her graze the corn in the field. Gowthama on his returning to the hermitage from the river saw the .cow and asked his disciples to drive it away, the disciples did so., the cow ran to Gowthama and fell dead at his feet. The Rushis now loudly cried out that Gowthama killed the cow. Gowthama realized that this was the work of the rushis and pronounced a curse on them that they would become very evil and cruel people not following the vedic path.

After this incident he went on a pilgrimage. On his way he reached Sri Rangam meditated on Sri Ranganatha of that place the Lord appeared visible before him and said that there at Sri Rangam he was being served by Vibhishana and that Gowthama night go to that sacred place, where Adiranga had established himself. Accordingly Gowhtamma went in search of this place told him by Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam. On his way he had darshan of the River Thamaraparni, the Mahendra mountain, the SahYadri hills and the birth place of Cauvery. Then being accompanied by a number of Rushis he came to the place told him by the Lord of Srirangam.

There once when he was narrating to the rushis abount the glory and greatness of Lord Ranganatha by accident a group of rishis such as Bodhayana. Atri, Yagnyavalkya, Kanva, Shuka, Parashara etc came there, Gowthama became very happy on their arrival and welcomed them all. Now all the rushis with the leadership of Gowthama performed a sacrifice worshipping, Ranganatha pleased by the sacrifice appeared visible before them and blessed them. He told gowthama that he was in the form of an idol in ant hill in the nearby grove to thulasi.

Accordingly Gowthama enteread in to the Thulasi grove and evoked the Gods Brahma, Rudra, Indra etc and the sacred heavenly cow Kamadhenu. All rushis and the gods saw the bigant hill in the thulasi grove and prostrated before it. The ant hill drenched and removed by the milk of Kamadhenu and all the devotees had a darshan of the Lord in a very auspicious moment as stated in the following sentences. They had a darshan of Lord Ranganatha in the month Mesha, Shukla paksha Spthami Saturday. After adoring the Gods Vishwaksena, Garuda, Chakra etc. had a darshan of the Goddess Ranganayaki in the south east (Vayuvya) part. Then making a Pradakshina of the place then came the Garbhagriha of the temple and had a darshan of the Great Lord.

Lord Ranganatha being rested on Adhishesh, with his right arm carry his Head, his left arm being stretched having Goddess Lakshmi in this chest and his feet being adored by the Goddess Cauvery. His face shone with great splendor, Gowthama and the Gods, Brahma, Rudra etc praised the Lord. The Lord was pleased with this praise and told Gowthama that the place would be called after him as Gowthama Kshetra and the temple called asBrahmananda Vimana. Later Gowthama learnt from narada the Pancharathna method of worship and worshiped the Lord. The day on which Gowthama first worshiped the Lord is even now being celebrated every Year as the Sri Ranga jayanthi. On the day the celebrations begin with Abhishekha in the early morning and then the Vairagi Seva which is a feast for the eyes. Gowthama puja, Mahamangalarathi will be done. In the night there will be a grand procession of the Lord bearing splendorous Sri Rangamudi.

From the next day Gowthama with the other rushis commenced the Sri Ranga Sapthaha which lasted for a week on the last day the lord being mounted on garuda appeared before them. Even today this day is being celebrated by having garudothsavam which is a grand feast for the eyes. The rushis who had accompanied Gowthama to this place decided to stay here alone being fascinated by the sacredness of the place. The month of thula commenced. During this month the Ganges is supposed to exist in the Cauvery to purify herself of the sins got from persons.

They intended to give hollowness to the place during the Thula month and prayed to God for that purpose. The Lord consented to the request of the rushis and graced them by saying that a bath in the Ashtathirtha on the Dasami day on the Thula month gives the devotees their desires as well as moksha. A three day stay on the banks of the river Ganges, a Five days stay on the banks of the river Yamuna or a more dip in the Cauvery removes the evils of a person. Persons living in places where the wind of the Cauvery blows attain moksha. The darshan of the river is sacred and removes the evils. So it is doubtless that a bath in the charity in the Gowthama kshethra gives ever Cauvery lasting results.


Festivals

Laksha Deepotsava (Makara Sankranthi Brahmotsava)

In the temple of Shri Ranganatha Swamy every year in the pushya month Makara Sankranthi Brahmotsava will be celebrated. On the sixth auspicious (Thirunal) day of Brahmotsava on account of Uttarayana (Auspicious Day) the Vaikunta door of the temple will be kept open for the devotees. On this auspicious day in the morning the deity of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be fully decorated with butter. In the night the God will be dressed with Vaikuntamudi crown. Then the utsava of Shriranganatha Swamy along with goddesses Shridevi and Bhoodevi will commence. First the uthsava will circumambulate around Shriranganatha Sannidhi (Katthalu mantapa) then inner prakara of the temple.

Ratha Sapthami Brhmotsava

Every year on Shukla Sapthami in magha masa the Dodda Rathothsava (big chariot festival) of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be celebrated. The festival commences with Ankurarpane, hoisting of Rathosava flag followed by different Uthsava in the night inside the premises of Shri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. On the 5th auspicious day (Thirunal) reading of Prahladotsava Purana (story) are conducted. On the 6th auspicious Day (Thirunal) Gajendra Moksha Utsava will be performed. On 7th day morning at 6:00 AM Soorya Mandal Vahanotsava will be performed. Gajalakshmi utsava will be performed to Goddess Shridevi taking in a procession along the main roads of the town. After that Mantopothsava will be performed to Lord and Shridevi.

Around 1:00 PM after special pooja the lord will be seated in the chariot Rathothsava will be performed pulling the chariot one round in Ratha beedhi around the temple. On this occasion thousands of devotees from different parts assemble in the temple to witness the Rathothsava and it is a followed custom to throw fruits/ Jawana (a kind of fragrant plant). On the ninth day (thirunal) an Avabrutha Snana (bath) seva will be performed followed by descending of flag which ends the Brahma Rathothsava.

Magha Shuddha Poornima

In this holy temple of Shri Ranganatha Swamy there is a importance for taking bath in the Cauvery river on the full moon (Pournime) day of Magha month. On this day thousands of devoted from different places visit the temple and take a holy dip (Punya Snana) in Cauvery River and get the darshan of Shri Ranganatha Swamy. On this day special seva termed as Pushpangi seva as well as other sevasare performed to Venktaramana Swamy located in the inner parka of the temple.

Shriranga Jayanthi

Shriranga Jayanthi is considered to be one of the important festivals in Shri Ranganatha Swamy temple. This festival is celebrated on Sapthami day during Vaishaka Shuddha (Some time the festival is celebrated on chaitra Shuddha Sapthami). Ranga Jayanthi is celebrated every year on the day on which Shri Ranganatha Swamy ensconces here. On account of Shri Ranganatha Jayanthi in the morning special ritual baths will be offered to Shriranganatha Swamy and Shri Ranganayaki followed by Arishina seva (Pating with turmeric powder). In the afternoon free meals (Annasantharpane) will be distributed to the devotees.

In the night at 7:20 PM a crown known as Shri Ranga Mudi (Studded with precious pearls and stones) will be adorned to Shri Ranganatha Swamy alomg with different types of ornaments. Special types of floral decorations will be offered to Lord. Then utsava will be performed by taking the procession in the main streets of the town along with musical instruments and special Nadaswara. The Ranga Jayanthi will be celebrated with pomp and gaiety.

Uyyalotsava

Uyyalotsava will be celebrated to Lord Shrirangatha swamy with pomp for five days starting from Prathama Ekadashi of Ashada Masa (month). On the sixth and seventh day Uyyalotsava will be celebrated to Goddess Shri Ranganayaki and Shri Krishna Swamy respectively.

Vedanthacharya Thirunakshathra

Vedanthacharya Thirunakshathra is celebrated either on “Shuddha Shravana Nakshatra” in Bhadrapada or Shuddha Shravana Nakshatra in Ashwija Masa. On this occasion in the proximity of Vedantha Deshika Upanishads, special types of poojas, uthsavas will be held for 11 days. After this Gandhapudi uthsava will be performed with grandeur.

Nava Rathri

Nava Rathri festival is celebrated for 9 days. This festival starts from Shuddha Padya in Ashwayuja month. During theses nine days special types of Poojas, festivals, Homa, Yaga (lighting of sacred fire) along with sacred offerings will be performed. On the Ayudha Pooja day palanquin uthsava will be performed to Shri Ranganatha Swamy taking procession in the main roads of Srirangapattana. On Vijayadashami day the festival will culminate by performing Shammi Pooja for the Shammi tree which is in front of the temple.

Bangarada (Golden) Garudotsava

This festival will be celebrated on pournami (full moon day) day in Vaishaka masa. On this festive occasion the idol of god Garuda Measuring about eight feet height with plated gold will be fully decorated with flowers. Then the decorated deity of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be seated on the Garuda and the procession will be taken in the main roads of Srirangapattana. This festival is celebrated with ardent belief that Shri Mannarayana used to bless and his presence to sages, devotees while traveling on Garuda.

Ashta Theertotsava

On the Banks of Cauvery river in Shrirangapatana there are 8 important holy water streams. It is believed that great sages had performed penance near these eight streams of water to get the blessings of God Shri Ranganatha Swamy. On Dashami in Ashwija masa every year (or Shuddha dashami in Karnataka month) Ashta Teerthotsava will be celebrated. On this day AT 7:00 AM in the morning the deity of Ranganatha Swamy will be seated in a silver palanquin(silver Pallakki) and will be taken in a procession to these 8 holy places. After performing ritual bath at each place the procession reaches temple around 8:00 PM covering a distance of around 32 Kms. On this auspicious day thousands of devotees accompany the procession and take holy dip in these 8 holy water streams and get the darshana of God Shri Ranganatha Swamy.

Pushpa Brindavanotsava

Pushpa Brindavanotsava will be celebrated every year on Shuddha Dwadashi during Karthika masa (month). It is very attractive festival and very dearer to Shri Ranganatha Swamy. An artificial Brindavana made of wood is decorated with Chrysanthemum flowers and other types. Later the decorated deity of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be seated on Brindavan. The deity will be taken in procession along the main roads of Srirangapattana. The importance of this festival is to signify the love of Lord Shree Mannarayana For the Tulasi Brindavan. Hence this festival is celebrated with grandeur. It is revealed from the evidence that this festival was celebrated with grandeur and gaiety during the rule of scion of Mysore.

Jeeyar Thirunakshathra

Jeeyar Thirunakshathra is celebrated on Moola Nakshathra day in Shuddha Karthika masa. This festival is celebrated for eleven days. During these eleven days special types of poojas, parayana and ritual baths will be offered to the deity. Along with the festival deity of Jeeyar, Gandha Pudi Uthsava will be performed to Shree Ranganatha Swamy.

Kotarotsava

Kotarotsava is celebrated in the temple on Marghashiramasa (month) from 4th January to 13th January every year. During these ten days every day special decorations (Alankara) will be done to Shriranganatha Swamy and Kotarotsava is celebrated. Every day during the Kotarothsava Vedas are read. Also during Kotarotsava Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be decorated with Mohini alankar, Vaikunta Narayana Alankar. Besides during this festival the idols of Shri Jeeyar, Shri Deshikar will be taken in procession on different days.

Ugadi

On this day ritual bath and special pooja will be offered to both the deities of Shri Ranganatha Swamy and Shri Ranganayaki.

Kodai Thirunal

This festival will be celebrated for days from panchami in Shuddha Chaitra.

Shri Nammalvar Thirunakshathra

Shri Nammalvar Thirunakshathra will be celebrated for eleven days during vaishaka masa (month) or jeshta (month)

Shri Narasimha Jayanathi

Narasimha Jayanthi will be celebrated on Chaturdashi in Shuddha Vaishaka masa.

Ashada Shuddha Pouranami

On this day Pushpangi seva will be celebrated to Shree Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy in which is located in inner prakara of the temple.

Cauvery Pooja

Cauvery Pooja is celebrated during Ashada Masa in Krishna Paksha. On this occasion the festival deity of Ranganatha Swamy will be taken in a procession to the banks of kavery river and special poojas will be offered to Cauvery River. Also there is a system of offering gift (bagina) to Cauvery river on this occasion.

Andal ThiruNakshatra

Andal ThiruNakshatra is performed on Shuddha Bidige or thadige on Pubba Nakshatra day in Shravana masa.

Pavithrotsava

Pavithrotsava will be celebrated for five days starting from Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapadha masa (month)

Deepavali

During Deepavali festival special ritual baths will be offered to both Shri Ranganatha Swamy as well as Shri Ranganayaki. Also arishina seva(pasting of Turmeric paste) will be offered.


Accessibility

Airport

Nearby airport is in Mysore which is just 15 Kms distance.

Railways

Srirangapatna does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Mysore, at a distance of 15 Kms from Srirangapatna.

Road

Srirangapatna is just 15 Kms from Mysore. It is well connected by roadway.


Temple Address


Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple,
Srirangapatna-571 438
Mandya Dist.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • To attain salvation
Shlokas

Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey

Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.

Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum

Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.

Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram

Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.

Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami

Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.

Timings

The temple is open from 07:30 am to 01:00 pm and from 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm.

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