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Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, one of the most significant Vaishnav temples, has origins dating back to the 1st century CE and showcases architectural contributions from various dynasties over centuries. The temple features extensive inscriptions documenting its history and the contributions of rulers, while its architecture includes impressive structures such as the Rajagopuram and the garbhagraha, adorned with intricate sculptures and paintings. The temple not only serves as a religious site but also reflects the cultural and historical significance of the region through its art and architecture.

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32 views3 pages

Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, one of the most significant Vaishnav temples, has origins dating back to the 1st century CE and showcases architectural contributions from various dynasties over centuries. The temple features extensive inscriptions documenting its history and the contributions of rulers, while its architecture includes impressive structures such as the Rajagopuram and the garbhagraha, adorned with intricate sculptures and paintings. The temple not only serves as a religious site but also reflects the cultural and historical significance of the region through its art and architecture.

Uploaded by

swadhaagrawal1
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Art and Architecture of Vaishnavism

With Special Reference to

Srirangam Swamy Temple

Ranganathaswamy Temple, also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, is one of the most


illustrious Vaishnav temples in the country, dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form
of Hindu deity, Lord Vishnu.Evidences prove the origin of the temple in 1st century CE during
the Sangam period. However, the temple represents an accretion of building activity over
centuries, the architectural idioms coming from the several royal dynasties who were
captivated by and adored the Temple. Some of these were the early Cholas (1st Century CE)
ruling from Uraiyoor situated to the south of Srirangam across the river, later Cholas
(13th Century CE) of Pazhaiyaarai and Thanjavur, the Kongu rulers from Tamil west, the
Pandyas from south, the Hoysalas, and the later rulers and viceroys of the celebrated
Vijayanagara Empire of Karnataka.

Temple in Literature:
Tamil: Tirumalisai Alvar refers to the eight sacred tirthas or pools surrounding the
grirangam temple in the eight directions.

Tonddaradippoli Alvar was a supplier of flowers and garlands to the Srirangam temple. In
his Tirumalai he refers to the lying posture of the sanctum image and the chest, shoulders,
the eyes, the lips and the crown .The Tiruppalelcci is devoted to the waking up of
Ranganatha early in the morning.

The Koil Olugu is the chronicle of the temple in Tamil. Besides this temple’s mention in the
local chronicles like Annan Tirumaligai Olugu and Uttamanambi Vamsaprabhavam as well
as in Vaishnava hagiology like Guruparamparai.

Sanskrit : The Mahatmaya finds reference in Valmiki Ramayana and Padma and Matsya
purunas. The Sanskrit hagiology viz. , Prapannamritam makes frequent references to the
temple. Laksmikavyam, a work of the 15th century, describes the marriage of Uraiyurvalli
with Ranganatha and gives an elaborate description of the Adibrahmotsava. The Mudra
vijayam and the Saluvabhyudayam refer to the Muslim occupation of the temple and its
restoration by the generals of the Vijayanagar army.

Inscriptions:
The Srirangam temple has nearly 400 inscriptions, both stone and copper plate. Most of the
stone inscriptions are found on the walls of the temple.

The Cholas:The earliest inscription in the temple is dated in the 17th year of Parantaka I
(906—953). It registers a gift of 30 gold pieces. Inscription of the Kullotung I dated in his
18th year gives a few authentic details regarding the organisation of the temple in the time
of Ramanuja. An inscription of KulotungaIII (1178—1218) dated in his 20th year refers to the
order issued by the king to his revenue officers to settle the boundary dispute between the
Srirangam and the Jambukesvaram temples

The Pandyas: An inscription of Maravarman Sundara Pandaya I dated in his 9th year states
that in that year the Srirangam temple was freed by his generals from the occupation of the
Oddas. This record is important as it refers to the ten groups of temple servants of which
five are mentioned by name. Their chief joined with the Oddas and collected 0ddukkasu.

A long Sanskrit record of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I (1251—68) describes his building
operations at and gifts to the Srirangara temple. He built a shrine of Narasimha and
another of Vishvaksena, both of which were covered with gold. Besides covering the viman
of the main shrine with gold plates he made the some gifts which are mentioned in the
inscription.

The Hoysalas : An inscription dated in the 16th year of Someshwar (1234— 62) registers the
gift of a garden made by Somladevi, one of the queens of Somsavara. An inscription of
Ramanatha dated 1257 records the foundation of a Sarai (Aarogyashala).

The Rayas of Vijayanagar : The inscription of Gopanarya, an officer of Harihara II, refers to
the restoration and reconsecration of the Srirangam temple in 1371. According to an
inscription of Devaraya I, dated 1415 set up an image of Garuda.

Architecture of the temple:


The Temple is situated in an area of 156 acres, with a perimeter of 4116m. It is enclosed with
seven prakaras and the outermost Prakara is known as Adaiavalainjan. It takes a functional
name, an encircling space. These prakaras are formed by thick and huge rampart walls,
with a total length of 32,952 feet or over six miles, which run round the garbhagraha. It has
21 magnificent gopurams, in all prakaras, among which 236 feet of Rajagopuram (the main
gateway) is the second largest temple gopuram (Temple Tower) in Asia. 39 pavilions, fifty
five shrines and Ayiram kaal mandapam are its other features. There are many mandapams
in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. One of the finest is Thousand Pillared Mandapa and it is a
fine example of a planned theatre-like structure.

The garbhagraha measures 240 feet in length and 180 feet in breadth. It is circular in shape
and it is surmounted by the “Sriranga Vimana’, with the representation of Para-
vasudeva.The presiding deity, Sri Ranganatha Perumal, reclines on Adisesha facing
towards south, in pujanga sayana posture. Images of Vibhishana, Brahma, Hanuman,
Garuda are seen inside the garbhagraha. The garbhagraha is followed by mukhamandapa
and it is preceded by mahamandapa. There is a circumambulatory passage, around the
garbhagraha. The image of Chakrathalwar is sculpted with Narasimha on the rear side and
can be viewed from the passage around the garbhagraha. The Vimana called the Ranga
vimana, is shaped like omkara and it is plated with gold. The outer portion of the vimana
and attached mandapa, have finely worked pilasters, with fluted shafts, double capitals and
pendant lotus brackets. Sculptures are placed in the niches of three sides of the sanctuary
walls and maidens embellish the walls in between.
The walls of the Temple Complex are painted with exquisite paintings, using herbal and
vegetable dyes. They speak volumes about the culture and tradition followed in those times.
The figures of gods and goddesses tell us stories and teach us morals. The high end
technologies, used in these paintings, ensured a long life for them.

Inscriptions, pertaining to the rule of different dynasties, available at various shrines of the
Temple, proclaim the past civilization, trusts, culture and land donation and even flood
relief measures in the form of land reclamation. The Vijayanagara Section contains 254
inscriptions and all of them are arranged, in the order of their date, based on the Saka year.
The continuous control of the Tamil country, by the Vijayanagara rulers, not only gave it
political stability but also guaranteed a steady growth and expansion of the Temple.

Bibliography

 RAO, D. V. (2007). THE SRIRANGAM TEMPLE: Art and Architecture. The Akhand
Jyothi Press Private Ltd.

 Ramesh, K.V. (1982). South Indian Inscriptions (Inscription of Rangaswamy temple


,Srirangam), Vol.24. Director General ASI
 Sivasamy(2018) “Architectural Significance of Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swami
Temple: Gleened from Inscriptions”, International Journal of Interdisciplinary
Research in Arts and Humanities, Volume 3

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