Divyadesams -108

Srirangam or Thiruarangan worshipfully called KOIL is the first and foremost of all the Divya desams that we can visit in our corporal form. Situated between the rivers Cauvery and Kollidam in Trichy district it is on the chord line between Trichy –Villupuram chord line. The temple is one km from Srirangam railway station and plenty of town bus services is available from Trichy.Lot of places available for food and stay (Pin code 620006) MOOLAVAR Sri Ranganathan-also with reverence known as Peria Perumal, Nam Perumal, Azhagiya Manavalan -Bhujanga sayanam (reclining on Aadhisesha) with the holy face turned to South direction. UTSAVAR Nam perumal-standing posture. THAAYAAR Sri Ranganaayaki- SriRanga Naachiyaar Holy Theertham Chandra Pushkarani, Cauvery, Kollidam and Vedasrungam STHALA TREE Punnai VIMANAM Pranavaakruthi PRATHYAKSHAM Dharmavarma, Ravivarman, Chandran and Vibhishanan UNIQUENESS It is considered that are eight swayamvyaktha sthalams (self created) this is the paramount. Others are Srimushnam, Thiruvenkatam, Saalakraamam, Naimisaaranyam, Thothadri, Pushkaram andBadrinath.For great achryans likeBhattar, Vadakku Thiruveethi Pillai, Pillai Lokacharyar, Peria Nambi this is the avathaara sthalam.This place is fortunate to enjoy the services of Thondaradippodi Azhvar (Nandavana kainkaryam) and Thirumangai Azhvar (Temple compound wall )here .Nalayira Divya Prabandham which was compiled by Sri Natha Muni is offered to Lord Ranganatha as worship through music and dance ,a performing art which still survives in the temple tradition of Araiyar Sevai. NOTE In this holy sthalam only PeriaPerumal awarded the enviable title of “kavitarkikasimha” (Lion among poets and logicians) and Thaayar the title “sarvatantra-svatantra” (Master of all the Arts).to Sriman Nigamantha Maha Desikan Swami Desikan composed his magnum opus “Paduka Sahasram “here only praising the Holy Feet of the Lord. On His divine command only Sri Manavala Maamuigal the later Acharyan gave discourses on Thiruvaimozhi of Nammazhvar in the temple mandapam quoting profusely from Itu of Nambillai.On the grand finale of Saathumurai of Baghavath Vishayam Lord Himself in the form of a child honored Maamunigal with the popular thaniyan “Sri Sailesa Dayapathram” This sthalam is also known as Boologa Vaikuntam When ever Srirangam temple is mentioned the sublime services of 44th Jeer of Ahobila Mutt cannot go unrecorded. His tireless effort to complete the construction of Rajagopuram at his ripe old age is awe inspiring. Today this monument with a height of 236 ft with 13 stages and 13 kalasams stands as the tallest of all Gopuarams in the world. The Mahasamprokshna took place on 25-03-1987.On the northern gate of the temple it is believed that Vraja River is flowing. Further the temple of Mettu Azhagiyasinger is situated near the gate of Thaayaar sannathi. When the great epic Ramayana of Kamban was staged for the first time, for each stanza, the Lord Narasimhamurthy gave his approval by a nod it is believed. All the Srivaishnava acharyas prior to SriRamanujar, Sri Ramanujar, Koorathazhvan, Mudaliaandan, Embaar, Bhattar ,Pillai Lokacharyar and many have done mangalaa saasanam here.Sri Ramanujar excepting Malai nadu thirupathis had done mangalaasaasanam to all other temples. From Emperumaanaar period (11th century) to Manavalamaamunigal period (15th century early part) Srirangam was the main hub of activities of Sri Vaishnavism excepting for a brief period of four decades when there were disturbances from Muslim invaders.

NB –M/s Lifco have released a Book called Ikshvahu kuladhanm alias Sriranga mahathmiyam on this temple MANGALAASAASANAM- All the 11 Azhvars except Madhurakavi
Perialwar – 183, 189, 212, 245, 402-432
Aandaal – 607-616
Kulasekaralwar – 647-676, 728
Thirumazhisaialwar – 772, 800-806, 844, 870, 2384, 2411, 2417, 2441
Thondaradipodialwar – 872-926
Thirupaanalwar – 927-936
Thirumangaialwar – 1019, 1213, 1378-1427, 1506, 1571, 1664, 1829, 1978, 2029, 2038,2043, 2044, 2050, 2062, 2063, 2065, 2069, 2070, 2073-2076, 2673, 2674
Poigaialwar – 2087
Boodathalwar – 2209, 2227, 2251, 2269 Peyalwar – 2342, 2343
Nammalwar – 2505, 3348-3358
Total of 247 Paasurams