Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam

I arrived at Tiruchirapalli railway station at 4:30 pm, after a long journey from Chennai. I was eager to visit the holy town of Srirangam, where the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is located. I looked for an auto-rickshaw, but they were charging exorbitant rates. I decided to take a local service bus instead, which was cheaper and more convenient. The bus ride took about half an hour, and I reached Srirangam by 5 pm.

As I entered the town, I felt a sense of peace and devotion. I could see the towering gopurams of the temple, which is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world. I checked into a nearby hotel and freshened up. Then I headed to the temple, which was just a short walk away.

The temple complex is spread over 156 acres and has seven concentric walls and 21 towers. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Ranganatha, the reclining lord. The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams, the most sacred places for Vaishnavites. I joined the queue of devotees and entered the temple through the main entrance, the Rajagopuram, which is 236 feet high and has 13 tiers.

As I walked through the temple, I was amazed by the beauty and grandeur of the architecture, sculptures, paintings, and carvings. I saw many shrines, halls, tanks, and gardens, each with its own significance and history. I visited the sanctum sanctorum, where the idol of Ranganatha is placed on a serpent bed. I felt a surge of emotion as I gazed at the lord, who seemed to be smiling at me. I offered my prayers and received the prasadam.

Then I proceeded to the shrine of Goddess Lakshmi, who is worshipped here as Ranganayaki, the consort of Ranganatha. She is also known as Akilandeswari, the ruler of the universe

One of the most remarkable sights in the temple is the samadhi of Sri Ramanujacharya, the great Vaishnava philosopher and guru. His original body is preserved inside a chamber, without any chemical treatment. It is coated with sandalwood paste and saffron twice a year. His body is placed behind his idol and is open for darshan. I felt honored to see his body, which is more than 900 years old. I paid my respects to him and thanked him for his teachings and contributions.

After spending a few hours in the temple, I decided to explore the surroundings. I took a bus to Thiruvanaikaval, where the Jambukeswarar temple is located. This is another ancient and magnificent temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing the element of water. The lingam here is said to have been worshipped by Goddess Parvati, who performed penance under a jambu tree. The temple also has a spring in the sanctum, which never dries up. I admired the architecture and sculptures of the temple, and offered my prayers to Shiva and Parvati.

I returned to Srirangam by evening and had a simple dinner at a local restaurant. I felt happy and fulfilled after a day of spiritual bliss. I retired to my hotel room and slept peacefully, dreaming of the divine.

Divadesam 1

The temple occupies an area of 63 hectares (155 acres) with 81 shrines, 21 towers, 39 pavilions, and many water tanks integrated into the complex making it the world's largest functioning Hindu temple.

The temple complex has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Brahma was performing austerities during the Samudra Manthana (churning of cosmic ocean), and Srirangam Vimanam emerged as a result. It remained in Satyaloka for ages, was brought to Ayodhya by king Ikshvaku.

After Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, had killed the evil demon Ravana, he gave it to King Vibhishana who wanted to be with Rama.

When Vibhishana passed through Tiruchi en route to Sri Lanka where he had become the king, the Srirangam Vimanam would not move from the island. So, he gave it to a local king called Dharmavarma, if the king consecrated the Vimanam to face the south cardinal direction eternally, blessing him and Lanka. Hence, it is that the deity (in a reclining posture) faces South, his body aligned to the east-west axis.

Beautiful temple.This temple is crowded during the weekdays as well as weekends. Try to visit in the early morning to avoid crowds. And don't forget to visit Andal the elephant 🌼
If you prefer less crowd and would like to have a hassle free experience then you can go ahead and buy Rs. 100 ticket.

What to say.... It's an amazing temple...
Architecture is way too next level... To appreciate the art, visit on a week day - 2 full days required.
The darshan and Prasad is always too good.

Before visiting the temple, pls get a map of the temple, else you will miss many beautiful architectures and places.

Huge space to walk around, well maintained, spend some quality time by sitting quietly in the temple after Ranganathar darshanam.

No words to describe the beauty of this temple. It is world's largest Temple. It occupies 156 acres. Temple is really wonderful. It is an Engineering Marvel. 21 Raya Gopuras are there. It is the first and one of the 108 Divya Deshas of Lord Maha Vishnu. This temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha Swamy. Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Cheras developed this temple in their ruling. A must visit temple for everyone.
Ramanujacharya's body is there in the temple complex. There are many hidden truths about the temple. Come and offer your prayers to Lord Ranganatha Swamy.

Lord vishnu temple situated in Srirangam, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. It is having the biggest and largest gopuram known as Raja Gopuram . Other than this, there are 6 other gopuram this temple is bestowed with. If you visit early in the morning, you will visit with peace. Try to avoid visiting during festivals as it remains too much crowded and probably you will not able to Swamy Rangnathan.

Powerful Hindu temple with the best architecture, you can't believe how they built that much of a higher gopuram. Temple covered with streets and residential area, hotels, shops, toilets but Except main temple

The temple is clean than before... really a big temple it's take nearly 2 hours to worship every sanathi... really happy the prist in this r willing to the the story of the god

Divya Desam main temple. This temple is called periya temple and many other names by Vaishnavi people.

Temple is very big and about two hours required for to go round temple and take many art pictures. This is one of a big art treasure.

Don't go on festival and important dates. Go on weekdays and better go on ticket dharshan.

First visit to Sri rangan and Thayar sanathi and go round the temple with free time.

This is what the current HR&CE government is doing in the guise of temple administration. This is all the ministry is capable of. 400+ year old heritage structures damaged beyond repair in the name of renovation.

The temple complex is far from Trichy town. On the other side of the river and the direct bridge is not operable for some reason so the tuktuk has to make a huge detour. Once there (we went through the South Gate) you pass through commercial streets and several Gopurams There is a place to leave your shoes as you enter the more inner parts. From there it is more peaceful and quiet but you are hassled a bit. Unfortunately the discriminatory practice of not letting Hindu-looking people enter the most interesting parts is here as in most temples. However the stroll around is pleasant. The 50 rupee per person cost to go to the viewpoint is not worth it as you are not really high enough to view the overall layout. This temple seems to be more ‘commercial’ than some others we visited. There were juges lines of devotees who I believe had to wait hours for the darshan in some of he areas.

Srirangam Temple, also known as Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, is one of the most significant and revered Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located in the city of Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), on an island formed by the Kaveri River and its tributaries. Here is a review of Srirangam Temple based on its historical and architectural significance, religious importance, and overall visitor experience:

Historical and Architectural Significance:
Srirangam Temple is renowned for its rich history and architectural grandeur. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, a group of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it holds immense religious and cultural importance. The temple complex is a vast and impressive structure with several layers of walls, gopurams (towering gateways), and intricately carved pillars. The temple's architecture is a remarkable example of Dravidian style, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Religious Importance:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu, and is considered one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Vaishnavites. The presiding deity, Lord Ranganatha, is believed to be the protector of the universe. The temple follows strict rituals and customs, making it a sacred place for worshippers and devotees. It is an essential destination for those seeking spiritual enlightenment and a deep connection with their faith.

Temple Complex:
The temple complex is vast and consists of seven concentric rectangular prakaras (enclosures). Each prakara has a unique set of gopurams and shrines. The Rajagopuram, the main entrance tower, is an iconic structure that stands 236 feet tall and is adorned with colorful sculptures. The temple also houses various mandapams (halls) and shrines, each with its own historical and religious significance.

Festivals and Celebrations:
Srirangam Temple hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year. The Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is particularly famous when devotees from all over the country gather to witness the "opening of the heavenly gates" or the Paramapada Vasal. Other significant celebrations include the Panguni Uthiram and Brahmotsavam festivals, which are marked by grand processions, music, dance, and religious rituals.

Visitor Experience:
Visiting Srirangam Temple is a unique and awe-inspiring experience. The architecture and sculptures are a feast for the eyes, and the spiritual atmosphere is palpable. The temple authorities maintain a strict dress code, and visitors are expected to follow certain rules and customs. It is advisable to plan your visit during non-peak hours to avoid long lines and crowds. Don't forget to explore the temple's historic and religious significance through guides or informative literature.

In conclusion, Srirangam Temple in Tamil Nadu is a magnificent and spiritually significant place for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Its historical and architectural grandeur, combined with its religious importance, make it a must-visit destination for those interested in Indian heritage and spirituality. Visitors can expect a profound and enlightening experience while exploring the temple's vast complex and immersing themselves in the divine aura it offers.

A very spiritual place of Hindu temples & It's a very big temple around 156 acres
Door Closed evening 8 pm

One of the Biggest functioning temple in the world

Main gopuram is 239.5 feed height which is highest Gopuram in Asia

This temple is located in Srirangam and 21 gopuram

7 big prakaras in temple and if you want to walk one round it will take 3 to 4 kms to complete one round

Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy along with many other deities Thayar, Alwars, Sri Rama, Vasudeva, Garudalwar, Chakralwar, Sri Ramanujacharya Sannidhi where his body has been preserved. This was the second time I visited, it’s always crowded. We visited here for Vaikunta Ekadashi during Dec 2018 and we had to wait in the queue for entire night. If time permits, you should aim for having Vishwaroopa Darshan where tickets can be booked online or at the counter of South Gate at 5.15 am and darshan would be at 6 am. Timings of temple is different, it’s Darshan at 6 am - 7.30 am (Vishwaroopa Darshanam), 9 am - 12 pm, 1.15 pm - 6 pm, 6.45 pm - 9 pm. Check for temple timings before you plan, as it varies based on festivals, rituals etc,.

Great religious place .
One has to walk through a very long queue. It's tiresome for senior citizens.
One has to buy tickets for 100/- each.
But they don't allow you to stand infront of deities for 5 seconds also.
It's very horrible.
Senior citizens face a lot of trouble.
It was a very painful visit for us.

The Srirangam Temple, located in Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the largest functioning Hindu temples in the world. Dedicated to Lord Ranganatha(Vishnu), it spans an island on the Cauvery River. With intricate architecture, it's a significant pilgrimage site and part of the 108 Divya Desams. The temple's history dates back over a millennium, and its gopurams (towering entrance structures) are renowned. Pilgrims flock to participate in festivals like Vaikunta Ekadasi. The temple complex is a treasure trove of art, culture, and religious significance.
If you visit the temple during festive time like Vaikunta Ekadasi it takes 5-6 hours for darshan.

We visited Ranganathaswamy temple last week .It is the largest functioning hindu temple . The temple was maintained very neatly . The view of the maingopuram was breathtaking. The dharshan timing was different kindly check that before you visited the temple . As we went on puratasi friday it was heavily crowded. The ranganathaswamy was the maingod it took around one hour to complete Dharshan . Around the temple there were many praharas with different gods and marvellous architecture, sculptures which were mindblowing . It took around 2 hours to look over these beautiful places around the temple . There is a mandapam in temple which consists of 1000 pillars . You can easily reach this temple from Trichy busstand , Trichy Junction . Many buses are available .
Ps : 1. Check Dharshan timing .
2. Cloak room outside the temple.
3. Hotels and lodging are available around the temple , kindly check for the best .

Srirangam is one of the temple in 108 Divyadesam. Do visit even if you don't believe in God. Because there are plenty of sculptures there. They provide food "Annadhanam" everyday to the devotees.