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| Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna reddit.com |
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| Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangapatna mysoretourism.org.in |
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna, located in Mandya district of Karnataka, is one of the most ancient and revered Vaishnava shrines in South India. Dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu, the temple occupies a sacred island formed by the river Kaveri. Since it is the first Ranganatha shrine encountered along the river’s upstream course, the presiding deity is worshipped as Adi Ranga. The town of Srirangapatna itself derives its identity and name from this historic temple.
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| Garuda Azhwar, Srirangapatna, talkativeman.com |
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| Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna commons.wikimedia.org |
o 894 CE. An inscription records that it was constructed by Tirumalaiah, a local chieftain and vassal of the Western Ganga dynasty. Earlier references suggest the presence of an older shrine, indicating continuity of worship even before the present structure was built. In the 12th century, the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana granted Srirangapatna as an agraharam to the great Vaishnava philosopher Ramanujacharya, strengthening the temple’s theological importance. Further additions and renovations were carried out during the reign of Hoysala king Veera Ballala II. The Vijayanagara rulers and later the Wodeyars of Mysore also contributed to the temple’s development.
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| Srirangapatna, Vishnu in Ananadasayanakolam, prtraveller.blogspot.com |
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| Srirangapatna, Vishnu temple, KA |
Above image:Lathe turned pillars, in the inner open mantapa (hall) in the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna suggests additional contribution from the Hoysala Dynasty. Image credit: YVSREDDY - Own work............
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| Srirangapatna temple chariot upload.wikimedia.org |
Above image: Chariot at Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Srirangapatna. Image credit: Ranjitha RKRao - Own work..........
Architecturally, the temple reflects a harmonious blend of early Dravidian, Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles. It features a prominent gopura at the entrance and two large concentric rectangular prakaras enclosing the complex. The inner sanctum is approached through a sequence of pillared halls, including the navaranga and mukhamantapa. The roof of the mukha mandapa is adorned with miniature decorative towers (kudu and sala shikharas), with niches containing stucco images of Vishnu. The sanctum houses the majestic reclining image of Ranganatha on Adisesha, accompanied by Sridevi, Bhudevi and Brahma.
Religiously, the temple holds exceptional importance. It is counted among the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams of the Vaishnava tradition and is one of the five sacred Pancharanga Kshetrams along the Kaveri. The temple is revered by both Sri Vaishnavas and Smarthas, and is traditionally associated with the visits of Adi Shankara and Ramanujacharya. Today, the temple stands protected as a Monument of National Importance by the ASI, continuing to be a vibrant center of worship and heritage, situated close to the historic Tipu Sultan’s palace.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranganathaswamy_Temple,_Srirangapatna
https://www.mysoretourism.org.in/sri-ranganathaswamy-temple-mysore
https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009/10/ranganatha-swamy-in-srirangapatna.html
K. N. Jayaraman
