Ranganathar Temple, Devadanam – The Temple
The
Temple has 3 tiered Rajagopuram with single prakaram. There are Sudhai
sculptures of Vinayagar and Kalinga Krishnar at the back wall on either side of
the Rajagopuram entrance. The Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and the Chakrathazhwar
shrines are located at the entrance. Next to Kodi maram, a separate Sannadhi
for Periya Thiruvadi - Sri Garudalvar is found facing towards the Moolavar
Sannadhi. Presiding Deity is called as Ranganathar.
In the
sanctum sanctorum, Ranganathar is in a reclining (Bhoga Sayanam) posture
measuring about 18 feet in length and is bigger than Srirangam according to the
priest. The Lord is facing east having the measuring vessel (Padi) as his
pillow with his right hand placed over it, reclining on the bed of Aadhi Sesha
with his five heads as umbrella. The Adhiseshan forms a 5.5 foot high 3 layer
bed to him. Legend has it that he is resting after getting tired over giving
away the grains in the measuring vessel to feed the world during the harvest
season.
The idol
is a Sudhai sculpture made of many Salagrama stones which are considered very
sacred for worship. The Lord has a perfectly chiseled face with flaring
nostrils. The sanctum sanctorum is very small, just enough to accommodate the
Perumal, the urchava idols and the Bhattar. The entrance to the sanctum is very
narrow and only about 5-6 people can have a full Dharshan of Perumal at any
time but the big advantage being that we can see the Perumal very closely from
a distance of just about 2-3 feet.
To see
the Perumal with so much power, beauty and grandeur so very close is really a
striking experience. Since the idol is a Sudhai sculpture, no Abhishekam is
being done and only the herbal oil (Thailiakappu) is being applied to him once
a year. Only the urchava idol takes on the Abhishekam. Brahma is seen on a
lotus coming out from the navel of Lord. Sridevi and Bhoodevi are present near
his feet. Sage Thumburu and Anjaneya are present around him praying.
Mother
is called as Ranganayaki. She is housed in a separate shrine in the outer
prakaram to the south west of the sanctum. There is a separate shrine for Andal
to the north-west of the sanctum sanctorum. The foot of the Ranganathar is
imprinted on the outside of the inner praharam wall as a projection from the
sanctum idol. Shrine of Chakrathazhwar can be found in the outer praharam. Great
Alwars along with Sri Venugopala Swamy can be found in the front Mandapam. Anjaneyar
shrine is located near the entrance.
There is
a snake pit on the Western side of the temple behind the sanctum. The belief is
that the snake inside the snake pit protects the temple and the devotees who
visit here. The Sthala Vriksham is Parijatham (Pavazha Malli) and it is
found near the Snake Pit. There is a big peepal tree in front of the temple,
located at a slightly elevated height. The kumbabhishekam was performed in May
2004. There is also Sri Theertheswari samedha Sri Somanatha Easwar temple at
Kaniampakkam nearby.
