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**MannoFr** · 10-13-2008, 11:49 PM

3) Sri Rangam - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Part 1)

Situated in Trichy on the banks of Kaveri River, this temple played a very significant role in the history and development of Sri Vaisnavism. Of all the 4000 hymns of the Divya Prabandham, Lord Ranganatha has the most hymns dedicated to Him.

About the Temple

Sri Rangam is the largest temple in India. It is the most sacred of all the divya desams. The presiding deity is Lord Ranganatha who is also known as - Nam Perumal (Our Lord) Azhagiya Manavalan (The Handsome Groom).

Sthala Purana from Sri Ranga Mahathmiyam (Legendary History)

The Ranganatha deity was worshipped by Lord Rama. After the war, the deity was gifted to Vibhisana. While on his way back to Lanka, Vibhisana rested on the banks of the Kaveri with the deity. The Lord appeared before Vibhisana saying He had decided to make the place His abode and Vibhisana could come and worship the deity daily. It is said that Vibhisana worships the Lord daily at midnight.

Over time due to disuse, the deity was covered by thick overgrowth in a deep forest. After a long time, a Chola king, accidently discovered the deity and established the Ranganatha temple.

Alvars directly associated with the temple

1) Thondaradippodi Alvar

He maintained a flower garden for making garlands for the Lord in Sri Rangam and composed 55 pasurams on Lord Ranganatha.

2) Thirupana Alvar

Sung exclusively on Lord Ranganatha and later merged with the deity.

3) Kulashekara Alvar

A Chera king, he spent his final days in Sri Rangam. He composed 31 pasurams on Lord Ranganatha and wrote his famous work Mukunda-mala-stotra in Sri Rangam.

4) Thirumangai Alvar

He was responsible for renovating Sri Rangam and erecting the temple walls.

5) Andal, brought up by Peria alvar, She later married Lord Ranganatha. Her composition Varanam Ayiram describes Her marriage to the Lord.

10-13-2008, 11:49 PM	#11
MannoFr Join Date Mar 2007 Posts 4,451 Senior Member	3) Sri Rangam - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Part 1) Situated in Trichy on the banks of Kaveri River, this temple played a very significant role in the history and development of Sri Vaisnavism. Of all the 4000 hymns of the Divya Prabandham, Lord Ranganatha has the most hymns dedicated to Him. About the Temple Sri Rangam is the largest temple in India. It is the most sacred of all the divya desams. The presiding deity is Lord Ranganatha who is also known as - Nam Perumal (Our Lord) Azhagiya Manavalan (The Handsome Groom). Sthala Purana from Sri Ranga Mahathmiyam (Legendary History) The Ranganatha deity was worshipped by Lord Rama. After the war, the deity was gifted to Vibhisana. While on his way back to Lanka, Vibhisana rested on the banks of the Kaveri with the deity. The Lord appeared before Vibhisana saying He had decided to make the place His abode and Vibhisana could come and worship the deity daily. It is said that Vibhisana worships the Lord daily at midnight. Over time due to disuse, the deity was covered by thick overgrowth in a deep forest. After a long time, a Chola king, accidently discovered the deity and established the Ranganatha temple. Alvars directly associated with the temple 1) Thondaradippodi Alvar He maintained a flower garden for making garlands for the Lord in Sri Rangam and composed 55 pasurams on Lord Ranganatha. 2) Thirupana Alvar Sung exclusively on Lord Ranganatha and later merged with the deity. 3) Kulashekara Alvar A Chera king, he spent his final days in Sri Rangam. He composed 31 pasurams on Lord Ranganatha and wrote his famous work Mukunda-mala-stotra in Sri Rangam. 4) Thirumangai Alvar He was responsible for renovating Sri Rangam and erecting the temple walls. 5) Andal, brought up by Peria alvar, She later married Lord Ranganatha. Her composition Varanam Ayiram describes Her marriage to the Lord.
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