Trichy - Srirangam

Home » TamilNadu Districts » Trichy» Srirangam

Trichy - Srirangam

Srirangam

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, situated 6 km north of the city, is among the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in South India, and is the largest temple complex in the world. Shrouded in a haze of coconut palms away to the north, the temple is built on an island in the middle of the Kaveri and covers an area of 2.5 km˛. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this temple has 21 gopurams, the largest of which was completed in 1987 and measures 73 m in height. Srirangam is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The temple is replete with excellent carvings and numerous shrines dedicated to various gods.

Srirangam is beautiful island surrounded by river Cauvery and Kollidam(tributary of Cauvery). srirangam is 8 miles in length and 4 miles in breadth. The population of Srirangam is about 50 thousands. It is 7 km from Trichy junction and it also has a railway station. The island town is surrounded by 7 walls. Sri Renganatha swami temple is one of the famous vaishnavite temples in India. There are 21 gopurams, the rajagopuram (principal tower) is largest gopuram in south India. The 72m high, 13-tiered gopuram (towers) was built in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles around, while the remaining 20 gopurams were built, between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Srirangam is a holy place. Importantly for vaishnavates, because, their God Vishnu is in the name of Renganathar in a sleeping posture, which could not be seen any where else like this. Srirangam has got importance because of Renganathar temple. The Geographic location of this island between Rivers cauvery and kolidam is also a reason. There is a flower market in this place called as sathara veedhi from where flowers and Garlands are exported to various foreign countries.

A Garden which grows mangoes is also here. The name of that is Thatha Chariyar Gardens. They export tons of mangoes every year. There are totally five matriculation schools, Three Government aided schools and six primary schools providing an excellent education. This place is famous for Residential apartments. There are more than five hundred apartments in this place. Bus services are available round the clock to reach srirangam. Numerous taverns and inns are here to accommodate large number of tourists. Three art galleries are present where; people forget themselves in the beauty of antiques and crafts.

The district's most important pilgrim centre is located in an island just 7 kms from Tiruchi. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Cauveri on one side and its tributary kollidam on the other, is a 600 acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sriranganathaswami Temple.Most of it dates from the 14th to 17th centuries, and many people have had a hand in its construction, including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and rulers from Vijayanagar. The largest gopuram in the first wall on the southern side was completed as recently as 1987, and now measures 73m.

The main temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Even muslims are said to have prayed here after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the gold - topped sanctum, but they are allowed into the sixth wall. The whole place is fascinating. Bazaars and Brahmins' houses fill the space between the outer four walls, and you don't have to take your shoes off or deposit your bicycle until you get to the fourth wall. Just past the shoe deposit is an information centre, where you buy the ticket to climb the wall for a panoramic view of the entire complex. A temple guide will unlock the gates and tell you what's what. It's worth engaging one of these guides as there is much to see and you could easily spend all day wandering around the complex. There's also a small museum containing sculptures.

An annual Car Festival is held here in January during which a decorated wooden chariot is pulled through the streets between various walls. In mid-December, the Vaikunda Ekadasi, or Paradise Festival will be celebrated in the Vishnu Temple. Ivory sculptures of Lord Vishnu in various poses and the images of Nayak Kings with consorts donated by Nayak kings who ruled Madurai during the 17th century are available here. Pavai lamps of Marati period who ruled Thanjavur, the rest of the period, made the Nataraja image in a pearl made screen. Coins of British, Dutch, Tiruvanquor, Hyderabad, Gowalior, princely states are available. Firm leaves inscriptions, stone sculptures, very big temple lamps, copper plates of Vijayanagara Kings are available.

Trichy - Srirangam

Home » TamilNadu Districts » Trichy» Srirangam