Foremost of the 108 Divya Desams

Anshika Rana

Foremost of the 108 Divya Desams

Srirangam or Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located on an island between Kollidam and Kaveri rivers. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams revered by the Tamil literature Divya Prabandham. The temple complex, spread over 155 acres, is a visual spectacle with illustrious architecture, 81 shrines, 21 towers, and several water tanks. The temple town, serving as a hub of economic and social activities, provides first-ever hospital facilities and a free kitchen to feed the devotees. With immense significance in the Bhakti and Vaishnava tradition, Srirangam is the world's largest functioning Hindu temple.

Ranganathaswamy Temple gopuram; Source: srirangapankajam.in

Despite its historical and religious significance, the temple faced several challenges throughout its history. Its critical location on the island between the Kollidam and Kaveri rivers made it vulnerable not only to frequent flooding but also to invasions by advancing Muslim armies from the Delhi Sultanate into Pandyan territory. The first raid was led by Malik Kafur, who took away the image of the Lord. According to Koil Olugu, a fascinating story of the raid is narrated, in which a woman devotee named Pinchenravalli followed the Muslim army to Delhi. She found the idol with the daughter of the Sultan, who was deeply in love with it. The devotee danced and sang in the Sultan's court to impress him and win back the idol. While the woman succeeded in retrieving the idol, it deeply distressed the Sultani, so much so that the Sultan sent another army to bring it back. However, the army returned unsuccessful, and the Sultani died of grief.

The invasion led by Ulugh Khan in 1323 was far more destructive. Ulugh Khan, the son of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, was to succeed him later under the name Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. He led the raid in South India to wrest control of the region, during which he plundered the sacred temple of Vishnu in Tiruchirapalli. However, the 12,000 Vaishnavas, devotees of the temple, managed to rescue the idol, Ranganathaswamy, by moving it to another location. This enraged Ulugh Khan so much that he ordered the beheading of all 12,000 devotees. The event is recorded in Olugu as “Pannirayiramtirumudi-tiruttina-kalabham,” meaning the invasion which took 12,000 heads.

Despite the challenges posed by time and war, the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams, has remained pristine and splendid. The temple has been restored and embellished with further additions by various kings, including those of Vijayanagara, Tanjore, and Madurai, among others. Through rigorous efforts, the temple has continued to thrive and maintain its grandeur over the centuries.

The temple built around the consecrated Vimana became known as Srirangam or Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, dedicated to Vishnu and revered by the Tamil literature Divya Prabandham. According to Alvars, Divya Desams are believed to be heaven on Earth. Sri Ranganathaswamy is revered as the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams.

Located on an island sandwiched between Kollidam and Kaveri rivers, the temple boasts illustrious architecture and visual grandeur, covering 155 acres. The temple complex is dotted with 81 shrines, 21 towers, 39 engraved pavilions, and several water tanks, reflecting the temple's noble position in Indian architectural landscape. The temple has several mandapams, including the granite hall of 1000 pillars (actually 953), built by the Vijayanagara rulers. The complex is not only a temple but a temple town forming a hub of economic and social activities, with the first-ever hospital facilities and a free kitchen to feed the devotees. It was also furnished with huge granaries or Kottarams, reflecting food planning to ensure nutritional security for the entire population. Owing to its size and facilities, it has earned the distinction of being the world's largest functioning Hindu temple.

During the Samudra Manthan, a Vimana emerged from the ocean as a result of Brahma's deep penance. The Vimana remained in Satyalok for ages until Ishvaku took it to Ayodhya on Earth. Rama, his descendant, gifted it to Vibhishana upon the latter's coronation as the king of Lanka. While travelling back to Lanka, Vibhishana stopped at Tiruchi on the banks of Cauvery for a break and placed the Vimana on the ground. To his surprise, the Vimana remained glued to the ground and wouldn't lift. Vibhishana decided to leave it there under the care of the local ruler Dharmvarma, on the condition that he consecrates the Vimana such that it faces the South eternally, thus blessing Lanka. Dharmavarma assured him of the Vimana's care and consecration, and Vibhishana peacefully returned to Lanka.

The temple holds immense significance in the Bhakti as well as the Vaishnava tradition. Ramanuja, the legendary philosopher who formulated the doctrine of Vishishtha Advaita, stayed at the Srirangam temple as the head of the matha after succeeding his guru Yamucharya. Srirangam became his headquarters where he propagated his philosophical doctrines with great fervour until he was allegedly expelled by the Chola emperor, Kulottunga.

The temple finds mention in several traditions. As per a legend, once Kumaras, sages disguised as children, arrived at the temple to obtain darshana of Srirnagam. At the gate, they were denied entry by Jaya and Vijaya, guardians of Vaikuntha. Despite many pleadings from the sages, the guardians did not relent and they cursed the latter in fury. Wrecked in misery, the guardians ran to their Lord, Vishnu, for remedy. Vishnu allayed them by revealing the solution to wash away the curse. The sentries were presented with a decision - they could either become antagonistic demons against Vishnu for three lifetimes or become virtuous humans in the following seven lifetimes. Eager to be reunited with the Lord, the guards chose to become demons and are believed to have transformed into Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, Ravana and Kumbhakarna, and Sisupala and Dantavakra.