Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy

When it comes to visiting the biggest temple in India, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy should be at the top of the list. It is said to be India's biggest temple for all the right reasons. The temple is a proud owner of over 49 Vishnu shrines, moving around in this temple is a lot of work because to reach the inner sanctum from the south alone requires the worshippers to pass through seventeen gopurams. The innermost sanctum is restricted for Non-Hindus where the Vishnu also known as Ranganatha reclines on the five-headed snake.

Quick Glance

Location: Srirangam Temple gopurams

Timing: 6:00 am - 9:00 pm (All days of the week)

Timings are subjective to change during festivals

Entry fee: INR 250

Time duration: 1-2 hours

History

The existence of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy dates back to the 1st century CE, and the temple stands tall even today. The frequent renovation has kept the structures intact over the years; there has also been a few expansive plans that focused on some structures and pavilions like the one in the Mallikarjuna Mandapam. Some of the addition over the years became the famous attraction and the reason for driving a huge number of tourists from around the world.

Architecture

The architecture of Trichy Sri Ranganathaswami Temple is very interesting as compared to any other ancient temple of the Common Era; you will find around 7 enclosures with the courtyard that has many layers of walls built after the 16th century inside the temple. You will be surprised to know that the walls are over 32,592 feet tall. The height of the walls isn’t the only thing that is surprising about the temple; the place has over 17 major gopurams, 9 sacred water pools, and over 49 shrines in the temple.

The alignment of the temple is done with the north-south and east-west axis with the Kaveri River as the surrounding Island. This river has a great history and considered as Dakshina Ganga. You will find around five inner courtyards with Vishnu shrines with various avatars as Rama and Krishna. The outer place of the temple has two prakarams filled with many restaurants, flower stalls and many essential shops. There are some of the major shrines that are dedicated to goddess Lakshmi and many other saints who follow Vaishnavism.

There are very few ancient structures that stood the test of time, and this structure has been renovated several times. The construction of the mandapas and gopuras took many centuries to build, which made the structure of Sri Ranganathaswamy temple even more illustrative and interesting. The construction of the temple are done based on the geometric plan, and the famous Indian architect and art historian, George Michell stated that the regulating geometry and plan of the Srirangam town is more into the ritual dimension that dictates the cardinal directions for all the interiors and exterior structure of this town.

Shrines

As mentioned earlier, the Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple complex consists of around 49 shrines dedicated to not just Lakshmi and Vishnu, but many Vaishnava scholars and poets of that time. You will be able to see various avatars of Vishnu, the temple is also a famous symbol and the concept of this symbolism includes Hayagreeva, Narasimha, Chakkarathazhwar, Gopala Krishna, and Rama. The main shrine is located in the inner courtyard with an amazingly designed sanctum with a golden vinanam.

You will find another important shrine of Ranganayaki (Lakshmi) in the second area of the temple. Some of the untold stories are brilliant about this temple; tourists are attracted to this place for all the elaborate architecture and mythological additions in the temple.

Celebrations in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Trichy

If you are planning to visit this temple then you must know about some of the important festivals and events that people celebrate. There are around seven festivals that are religiously celebrated throughout the year.

Magha Sudha Poornima:

This festival is focused on asking for forgiveness for any wrongdoings in the past years. The devotees take a dip into the Kaveri River in this auspicious day. This Magha Sudha Poornima is celebrated especially in the full moon day in the Hindu month of Magha.

Sriranga Jayanti:

This event is celebrated as a happy day when the idol of Sri Ranganathaswami was brought in the temple. The seventh day of the Vaishakh Shuddhi is the day when Jayanti is celebrated in this temple.

Uyyalotsava:

This festival is celebrated longer as compared to other previous events. Uyyalotsava is celebrated for five-day in Prathama Ekadashi time, which is an important Hindu month of Ashadi. The sixth and the seventh day of these festivals are completely dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Rangabayaki.

Vedantacharya Thirunakshatra:

This festival requires a pre-set-up of eleven days of puja in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada and Ashvin. The main day of the festival is celebrated after eleven long days of pooja by the native with great interest. The temple is adorned with lights and flowers and several food items are served for the devotees.

Navaratri:

Navratri is an important festival and it is followed by poojas, yagyas, homas, etc. The rituals are performed for 9 consecutive days in Suddha Padya in the Hindu month of Ashwin. The festival ends on the last day called the Vijayadashami by performing pooja in front of the temple for the sacred Shammi tree.

Bangarada Garudotsava:

This festival happens on the full moon day of the Vaishakh month. This is done by decorating the gold plated temple idol with flowers and taking it to the main road with the main idol of Sri Ranganathaswami.

Ashta Teerthotsava:

The devotees take a dip or bath in the holy streams of Kaveri on the Dashami day, which is the tenth day of the Hindi Ashwin. You will be suggested to take the bath before the prayer at the main shrine. This incredible festival also includes the procession of the idol of Sri Ranganathaswami.

Best Time to Visit

If you want to experience the best time in this location then you are suggested to visit between July and September which is during the monsoon season. The sight looks brilliant with gushing water; you can also visit this Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple during the winter months that is between October and December as the weather is considered quite pleasant.