Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Dhanvanthari
Shrine
Dhanvanthari, a great physician of ancient India is considered to be
an avatar of Vishnu – there is a separate shrine of Dhanvanthari
within the temple. In the courtyard of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
(Srirangam), there is a Dhanvanthari
shrine where daily worship of the deity is performed.
In front
of this temple there is an engraved stone believed to be from the 12th century.
According to the writings on the stone, Garuda Vahana Bhattar, a great Ayurvedic
physician, established the statue inside the temple. A prasada or Teertha, a herbal decoction, is given to the visitors. The shrine is the oldest Dhanvanthari
shrine in the state.
The
temple also has a shrine for Dhanvanthari, Lord of medicines, with Mother
Mahalakshmi on his chest. He holds conch and discus in his hands and
also a leech. Those suffering from prolonged diseases light lamps
with castor oil. Offer curd rice as nivedhana. On
Fridays, a perfume paste called Punugu is applied on Lord
Ranganatha.
Along
with nivedhanas, a medicine made of dry ginger and jaggery is also offered to
the Lord for digestion. It is believed that Lord Dhanvanthari himself
offers this medicinal preparation. Also a medicinal preparation is
used for the abishek of Lord on the seventh day of Brahmotsavam festival.