Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Fourth Enclosure
(Aalinadan Thiruveedhi)
The
walls of this 4th prakara were built by Thirumangai Alwar and hence this
prakara is named after him. Through the Karthikai gopuram one can enter this
4th enclosure. This enclosure houses one of the biggest mandapas for
Garuda among the 108 Divya deshams. The mantapa has over 200 pillars and is the
most beautiful mantapa in the temple. One can also have darshan of the sacred
Surya pushkarani near the Garuda Mantapa. It is also called as Aalinadan
Thiruveedhi. It is considered as Maharloka.
In the
fourth court, non-Hindus may admire in its southern wing the Temple of
Venugopala Krishnan, whose outside walls are decorated with very beautiful
sculptures in high relief like young women playing the Zither (Veena) or with a
parrot or putting the finishing touches (Tilaka) to their appearance before a
looking glass.
A climb
to the terrace overhanging this temple affords a general view of the Temple of
Srirangam. This court also has a museum with highly interesting objects.
Non-Hindus are also admitted to the eastern courtyard of this enclosure, which
is dominated by the Vellai gopura. In the south there exists the famous
Sesharayar Mandapa.
Opposite
to this is the Hall of Thousand Pillars, constructed between the 14th and the
17th century, in which icons of gods and goddesses, Alwars and Acharyas are
displayed during the great annual festival of Vaikuntha Ekadesi in December and
January. The front of the mandapam is embellished with figures of Vijayanagar
soldiers and horsemen fighting lions.
On the
northern side of this enclosure, is the Paramapada Vaasal, also called as the
Swarga Vaasal (the door to Vaikuntha). This door opens only once a year during
the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival. Opposite to Paramapada Vaasal is the Dhanvantri
temple. Among the 108 Divya deshams, this is the only temple to have a shrine
for Lord Dhanvantri.
Besides
Sri Dhanvantri shrine, there is the sacred Chandra pushkarani. On the north
eastern corner of this enclosure is the temple of Sri Kodanda Rama,
Paramapadanathan, Keelapattabhirama and Lord Srinivasa. There is also Andal
glasshouse located in this enclosure.