Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Religious
Significance
The
term Kovil is generally used in Tamil to signify any temple, for many Vaishnavas the term Kovil exclusively refers to
this temple, indicating its extreme importance for them (for Saivas and all other Tamil people the term Kovil refers
to Thillai Natarajar Golden Shrine (Chidambaram Temple)). The presiding deity Ranganathar is praised in many
names by his devotees, including Nam Perumal (our god in
Tamil), Azhagiya Manavaalan (beautiful groom in Tamil).
The
temple is considered in the Alwar traditions as one of the eight Swayambu Kshetrams of
Vishnu where presiding deity is believed to have manifested on its own.
Seven
other temples in the line are Bhu Varaha Swamy temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and Vanamamalai Perumal Temple in South
India and Saligrama, Naimisaranya, Pushkar and Badrinath
Temple in North
India.
Ramanuja
was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete. He is seen by Srivaishnavas as the third and most important teacher (Acharya)
of their tradition (after Nathamuni and Yamunacharya), and by Hindus in general as the leading expounder of Vishishtadvaita, one of the classical interpretations of the
dominant Vedanta school of Hindu
philosophy.
Ramanuja
renounced his family life and went to Srirangam to occupy the
pontificate – Srirangam became the stronghold of him and his
disciples. The doctrine of Vishishtadvaita philosophy, Sri
Bhashyam was written and later compiled by him over a period of time. During
his stay in Srirangam, he is said of have written "Gadhya Thrayam",
which is recited in the temple during the ninth day (Panguni Uttaram) of the
festival of Adi Brahmotsavam.
The
temple is the center for the Vishishtadvaita school where Sanskrit Vedas and Tamil works are preached and taught with great
reverence. He attained divinity in Srirangam. His Thaan-ana
Thirumeni (the symbolic body) is preserved and offered prayers even today
after eight centuries. The disciples of Ramanuja got his permission to install
three metallic images, one each at Sriperumpudur, Melkote and the third, at Srirangam.
The
shrine is found in the fourth prakaram (outer courtyard) of the
temple and the idol is preserved in the temple by applying saffron and camphor
every six months in a ritualistic style. He is found seated in the Padmasana (yogic sitting
posture), depicting the Gnyana-Mudrai (symbol of knowledge) with his
right palm.
"Kovil
Ozhugu" is a codification of all temple practices, religious and
administrative, shaped and institutionalized by Sri Ramanuja after receiving
the due rights from Sri Thiruvarangathamudanar. A stone inscription to this
effect is installed in the Arya patal vasal (main gate before the
first precinct).
Pancharanga Kshetrams (also called Pancharangams, meaning the
"five Rangams or Ranganathas") is a group of five sacred Hindu
temples, dedicated to Ranganatha, a form of the god Vishnu, on the banks of the Kaveri
River.
The five
Pancharanga Kshetrams in the order of their successive locations, on the banks
of the Kaveri River are:
The Srirangapatnam called the Adi Ranga, the first temple on the
banks of the Kaveri River from the upstream side; the Sri Ranganathaswamy
Temple at Srirangam known as Adya Ranga (the last temple), Appalarangam
or Koviladi at Tiurppernagar in Tamil Nadu, Parimala Ranganatha Perumal
Temple or Mayuram at
Indalur, Mayiladuthurai and Vatarangam at Sirkazhi. The Sarangapani temple at Kumbakonam is mentioned in place of Vatarangam in some
references.
Cultural Significance:
The Sri
Ranganatha Swami Temple has immense cultural significance, owing to the fact
that the temple and the lifestyle of the people are very much intertwined with
each other. It is also widely believed that Sriman Narayana dwells in this
temple instead of his abode in Vaikuntham. The Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple has
the unique distinction of being praised by all the Alwars and has 247 Pasurams
or hymns dedicated to it.