Adhirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Adhi Thiruvarangam
– The Temple
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch with
stucco image of Sri Ranganathar in Sayana Kolam. The entrance arch is followed
by a 4 pillared mandapam and a three-tiered gateway tower. The Temple is
surrounded by tall granite walls. The temple covers an area of 2 acres
(8,100 m2) and has two precincts. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum,
Antarala, Arthamandapam and Mahamandapam. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam can be
found in the Mahamandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Ranganatha Swamy. The
presiding deity is an imposing image measuring 29 ft (8.8 m) made of
mooligai silai (idol made with herbs) and is seen in reclining posture from in
the sanctum. He is lying in a sleeping posture from South to North facing east.
The five headed snake Adisesha is sported as an umbrella for the
presiding deity made of stucco. The sanctum also houses the image of Sridevi
near his head and Bhudevi near his foot.
The festival deity, Rangarajan along with his consorts
Sridevi and Bhudevi are also housed in the sanctum. There is a mace made of
silver located near the arm and the image of Garuda seen
in praying posture is located near the foot of the presiding deity. The
sanctum is of rectangular shape to accommodate the gigantic Ranganathar. The
images of Azhwars and Chota Ranganathar are housed in the Artha Mandapam
preceding the sanctum. The entry to the sanctum is from the south.
The central shrine is approached from the gopuram
axially through a four pillared mani mandapam and pillared halls of mukha
mandapam and artha mandapam. Mother is called as Ranganayaki and she is also
facing east. The shrine of Ranganayaki, the consort of Ranganathar, is located
parallel to the sanctum (i.e. right side). The Goddess is in standing posture.
She is about 3 feet high. The shrine of Ranganayaki has sculpted pillars
made in Vijayanagara style.
There are shrines of Kodandarama, Hanuman, Varadaraja
Perumal, Vishwakasena, Andal and Krishna around the sanctum. There is a huge
foot of Vishnu is seen around the western side in the first precinct. There is
a stone idol of Lord Rama can be found on the south west corner of the
courtyard. Various sounds are produced while tapping different parts of the
statue.
The temple has a historical grain storage container made
of brick located in the south east corner of the temple immediately after the
entrance arch on the right-side corner. The granary is one of its kind as in
other temples like Srirangam, Palaivananathar Temple at Papanasam
and Jambukeswarar Temple at
Tiruvanaikaval.
It is believed that famers in the region store their grains in the temple,
which also accommodates contributions of the donors to the temple. Sthala
Vriksham is Punnaga Tree and Theerthams associated with this Temples are Then
Pennai River and Chandra Pushkarani.
