Srirangam Temple, Trichy – The Largest Living Temple

All my friends who had done the Chola temple trail before me kept telling me that I should spend at least a day in Srirangam Temple Trichy. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the name of the temple. This temple itself needs at least half a day. As a North Indian who has now lived in the South for almost a decade, I had never heard of this huge temple. So I could never imagine its extent. This being the last temple to be visited on the trail, I was exhausted. And did not even read anything about it.

Srirangam Temple – Largest Living Temple

As I reached its first Gopuram, I was awed by its size. Only to realize that it is one of the 21 Gopurams in the temple complex. Located on the island formed by rivers Cauvery and Coleroon, it spreads across 156 acres. And has 7 Prakaras or concentric enclosures around the temple. 39 pavilions and many big and small water bodies. This is the largest practicing temple in the world. Though Angkor Wat in Cambodia is more extensive than this temple, that is no longer practiced. The exact date of the construction of this temple cannot be placed. It was going on mythological beliefs God chose to appear in this place. There is evidence that says that all the dynasties and kings who ruled this area did contribute to the upkeep and expansion of this temple.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Deity

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or Thiruvarangam Temple or Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple or Thiruvaranga Tirupati or Periyakoil or Bhoologa Vaikundam or Bhogamandabam is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Vishnu. It is considered to be the holiest of the 108 places devoted to Vishnu across the country. Inside the main temple, only Hindus are allowed. And this is a place where you can see the Brahmin orthodoxy in practice. Everyone is scared of priests and arrogance is written all over them.

When I visited the idol of God was being taken around in a palanquin. And devotees rushed to the palanquin to have a look at the idol that was so deep inside the flowers and clothes that you can hardly see anything. On an ordinary day, there were so many people. One of the priests I spoke to said this is nothing, come on a festival day and you will not find space to stand.

Srirangam Temple Town

This is not just a living temple, it is a city in itself, with as many as 40,000 people living inside the premises. There are a few viewing points where you can go on top of some roofs and see the array of Gopurams and temple Shikharas. Some are colorfully painted, some are somber white and some are covered in pure Gold. As you walk along the main street, you keep passing below the Gopurams. Till you reach the one where you are supposed to take off your shoes. Between the Gopurams and temples, you see a lot of pavilions made with stone pillars. And you know they are probably the oldest standing structures in the complex. Some pavilions are small and open while others are huge and covered.

Locks around Pillar

There was a small shrine with lots of locks locked around a pillar. They were apparently worshiped here as there were Diyas and Kumkum all around them. Many scholars, saints, and poets have composed hymns here in the temple complex including Sri Bhashyam of Ramanuja.

I know I need another detailed visit to see and experience the Srirangam Temple and Trichy city completely.

PS: I was very happy to have Pani Puri right outside the main Gopuram, reinforcing my belief that this is one food that you find in every corner of the country.

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