Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, situated in Srirangam, Trichy district of Tamil Nadu, is revered as one of the most sacred Vaishnavite temples, being the foremost among the 108 holy Vaishnavite shrines.

History:
Legend has it that Lord Rama, despite being an avatar of Lord Vishnu, worshipped the Vishnu idol. After the battle with Ravana, Lord Rama presented the idol to Vibhishana, who, on his way to Sri Lanka, halted at Srirangam. Attempting to continue his journey, Vibhishana found the idol immovable and received a divine message from Lord Vishnu to establish the idol as Ranganathaswamy. The temple's origin is linked to this divine event, with the idol facing south towards Sri Lanka.

Architecture:
Spanning 156 acres, the temple boasts classic Dravidian architecture. Its grandeur is epitomized by the 72-meter-tall Rajagopuram (royal temple tower), 7 defensive walls, and 21 ornamented Gopurams (towers), adorned with Puranic legends and mythological imagery. Other architectural marvels include the 1000-pillared hall, Garuda Mandap, and Sesha Mandap.

Major Festivals:
The temple hosts several festivals, notably the 21-day Vaikunta Ekadasi in mid-December, Brahmotsavam in the Paguni month (March-April), and Ratholsavam (Temple Chariot Festival) in January.

Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM for Viswaroopa Seva, and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM to 6:00 PM, and 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM for general worship. Various poojas are performed throughout the day, including Tulasi Archana, Kunkumarchana, and Sahasra namarchana.

How to Reach:
By Air: Trichy International Airport, located 11 km away, offers convenient access to the temple.
By Rail: Tiruchirappalli Junction Railway Station, 7 km away, is well-connected to major cities across India.
By Road: Trichy is accessible via National and State Highways, with frequent bus services from various South Indian cities.

Address:
Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620006

Phone: 0431 243 2246

Architectural style: Dravidian architecture