Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Enclosures
The
Srirangam Temple is the only one in India with seven enclosures, a sacred
symbolic number which, for present day Vaishnava believers, represents the
seven centers of Yoga and a reference to the seven elements making up the human
body in the center of which dwells the soul.
The
temple of Srirangam is situated at 10 degrees 52’N and 78 degrees 42’ E towards
the southern tip of India on an Island formed by two arms of the River Cauvery.
The temple covers a vast area of about 6, 31,000 Sq. m. (156 Acres). The temple
consists of seven concentric rectangular enclosures around the sanctum
sanctorum.
There
are 7 big walls found around this temple covering next to next each other. The
7 walls are referred to as the 7 worlds. The 7th wall is the outer wall which
can be seen and it is 3072 feet in length and 2521 feet in breadth. For 7 prakarams,
7 Thiruveedhi (streets) are found.
7th Thiruveedhi
is called "Chithirai Thiruveedhi" where big houses and bungalows are
found. Sixth Veedhi, which is found in Sixth prakaram is called "Thiruvikraman
Thiruveedhi", fifth Veedhi on 5th prakaram is Agalangan Thiru Veedhi",
Fourth Veedhi in 4th prakaram is "Aalinadan Thiruveedhi", Third Veedhi
in 3rd prakaram is "Kulasekharan Thiruveedhi", Second Veedhi in 2nd prakaram
is "Raja Mahendran", and in the first prakaram, Emperumaan Sri
Ranganathan in Kidantha Kolam gives Seva and this is called "Dharma Varman
Thiru chutru (circle).
Sriranganathar
swami at Srirangam temple, Sriranganathar is called Anantha Sayana Perumal
(seen in lying position in the five headed snake) and blesses with his three
wives namely Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Ranganachiyar in the first enclosure of
temple Srirangam. Srirangam temple is covered by 7 enclosures.
The
7 prakarams of Srirangam temple have been named after the kings and Alwars
who built them and each represents a planetary system. They are explained in
detail below;
Seventh Enclosure (Kaliyuga Raman Thiruveedhi)
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Sixth Enclosure (Thiruvikraman Thiruveedhi):
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Fifth Enclosure (Agalangan Thiruveedhi):
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Fourth Enclosure (Aalinadan Thiruveedhi):
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Third Enclosure (Kulasekharan Thiruveedhi):
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Second Enclosure (Rajamahendra Thiruveedhi):
For
brief details, please refer below link;
First Enclosure (Dharmavarman Thiruveedhi):
For
brief details, please refer below link;