Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Prayers &
Offerings
The
purpose of human birth, according to our scriptures, is to seek total
emancipation from the cycle of births and deaths and to get merged with the
Lord. So is the purpose of worship in the temple. Besides this
lofty aim, people also pray for boons of wedding, child, education, wisdom,
progress in professions, family prosperity, growth in agricultural yields etc.,
and for a life free from material worries.
Devotees
apply butter, kumkum powder, sandal on the chest and feet of the Lord. They
offer vastras with Tulsi and flower garlands with incense sticks. Light small
lamps. Arrange nivedhanas and distribute it to devotees and also arrange
feeding-Annadhana.
Offerings:
Offerings
can be directly deposited into the Temple Hundi, still if that is not possible
due to the nature of your offerings, they can be handed over to the Temple
Staff at the Thulabharam, and the receipt for the same can be obtained
immediately.
Thulabharam:
One of
the most important vows taken to propitiate Lord Ranganathaswamy is to perform
“Thulabharam” i.e. donating various items such as turmeric, rice, dhal, coins,
sugar, rice, jaggery, sugar candy, etc. to the equivalent weight of the
devotee.
Pilgrims
reaches the Thulabharam counter near Thirukkottaram (Granary); there he can
perform the Thulabharam as per his wish. The determined price equivalent to the
weight of the item will be collected from the pilgrim and a receipt for the
same will be issued immediately by the staff in-charge. The pilgrims may also
carry the item from their place to perform Thulabharam.