Temple tour- Srirangam

 - Naamakkal to Srirangam takes just over an hour.

 - The road goes alongside the Kaveri. But sadly, there is no water. 

 - When there was once flowing water, it would have been really scenic.

 - Still, the vegetation is lush green.

 - As you approach Srirangam- you can spot the top of the temple gopuram and Trichy Rock-fort.

 - You cross the bridge over the river, to enter Srirangam.

 - It is an island. If you cross one more river-bridge, you will be in Trichy.

-  Srirangam has 2 main temples:

-  "Ranganatha swamy" (Vishnu) and "Tiruvaanaikaaval" (Jambukeshwara) (Shiva).

- Srirangam Temple was not crowded.

- It was a Friday, it was maha-shivaratri, and the time was just over 3 pm.

- The temple is open between 3 pm and 5 pm timeslot also.

- The temple is built in 7 layers of corridors.

- The most recently built gopuram is the biggest and the outermost gopuram.

- Other gopurams are smaller.

- All gopurams are colored, except one.

- One gopuram is intentionally left white, in memory of "Vellaayi".

- She jumped to her death from this gopuram.

- When the temple was invaded from the North (12th century?)-

   she managed to outwit and distract the invader.

- The main idols were carried to safety due to her. 

- In the process, she threw off the invader from the gopuram top.

- She also jumped down from the gopuram. 

- In her memory, that gopuram is colored white.

- This story was narrated by the guide at the temple.

- The temple is a maze, with several sannidhis and pillared structures.

- It's as if, you need Google maps inside the temple, to find your way.

- Just before you enter the main sanctum of Lord Ranganatha is "gayatri mandapam".

- Lord Ranganatha is majestic and beautiful.

- You do not have too much time to register all the details.

- At the back is Adi-Shesha: You can catch the gold on his heads. 

- The deity's eyes are prominent as he reclines and faces south.

- The features have a rugged grandeur.

- The utsava murti and its prabhaavali are prominent.

- In a matter of a few seconds you are out.

- As you move out, you can see the feet (symbolically embossed on the sanctum wall)

-  The golden vimaana with Krishna is not to be missed.

-  We visit Goddess Ranganaayaki next. The mandapam is called "navaratri mandapam"

-  There are several other shrines inside the spawling temple:

    (a) Rama with Seeta to his right (Kalyaana Raama). To Rama's left is Lakshmana.

     Beside Lakshmana is "baby Hanuman"- He has no tail (the priest says)!

    (b) Shrine with the "parivaara at Vaikuntha":

         - Lord Vishnu with Sri Devi, Bhu Devi and Neela Devi.

         - "Aandaal" with mirrors all around her.

   (c) Shrine for Saint Ramanuja:

         - The priest says, he is still seated as seen here. Hence, no abhishekam is done.

- On the way out, the guide points to a pillar. It shows Vibheeshana.

- Vibheeshana tries to carry the idol of Ranganatha back to Lanka.

-  We know the story. Ganesha thwarts him.

- Thus, Ranganatha stayed here, but kept his gaze at Lanka, by facing Southwards.

- We are also reminded of Saint Tyagaraja inside the temple.

- It was here, he sang the krti "O Rangashaayee" in Kambhoji raga.

- How often have we heard this song with "neraval" done at "Bhu loka Vaikuntham".....

- Truly Srirangam is "bhu loka vaikuntham"!

Outermost gopuram as seen from inside the temple permises.