INCREDIBLE INDIA

Picture: 

One of the exquisitely carved monolithic pillar from Sri Rangnath Swamy Temple, Srirangam.

India.

Srirangam and temple art of there, Madhya Pradesh, India

BY Tapas Saha 30/11/2019

Srirangam is bounded by the Kaveri River(also known as Cauvery river) on one side, and the Kaveri distributary Kollidam(Coleroon) on the other side. Srirangam is home to a significant population of Srivaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu).


Lord Rama performed Aradhana (pooja) to Vishnu's idol (deity in a reclining posture). As a symbol of love, he gifted the idol to Vibishana (brother of Ravana of the Hindu epic Ramayana) to take back with him to Lanka. There was a condition that he could not set the idol on earth and if he did it would seat itself permanently. Vibishana took this idol and while travelling towards Lanka, came upon the banks of the river Kaveri. He placed the idol on banks of river Kaveri, while an utsavam was in progress. When the utsavam got over, the Lord refused to move as he loved the place (Srirangam). When Vibhishana requested him to come along with him, the lord refused but promised to bless Vibhishana by always facing South (the direction of Lanka, home to Vibhishana) Hence it is that the deity (in a reclining posture) faces South. Then Chola kings Dharmavarcholan and Killivalavan developed the shrine into the big temple seen now. They built the basic foundations and main buildings.

Srirangam's History got important during the invasion of some jealous Muslim emperors (1310–1311) Srirangam was captured and the riches were looted. The invaders did not want to accept the rituals of Hinduism. They took away the idol of Alagiyamanavalar Perumal and plundered the treasures, jewels and ornaments which belonged to Srirangam temple. The temple idol of Alagiyamanavalar Perumal was sent to Delhi. In Delhi, the idol of Alagiyamanavalar Perumal was taken care of like a devoted mother by the daughter of the Sultan. At the very moment she saw the idol, she fell in love with the deity. She spent all her time with the idol. The Sultan surrendered the statue of Alagiyamanavalar Perumal back to Ramanujacharya. The Daughter of Sultan could not bear this. She is said to have disappeared mysteriously. She now has a separate shrine near the Sriranganatha temple and people worship her. She is called "Thulukka Nachiyar". Even after this incident Srirangam was often attacked and ransacked by various Mughal emperors. After the rise of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, the atrocities of the Mughal Sultans came to an end. King of Vijaya Nagar "Krishna Deva Raya" realized the importance of this sacred city and prioritized Srirangam as equal as Thirupathi and bequeathed plenty of treasures, jewels and lands to the Srirangam temple. During his period the Srirangam temple was well reformed and many plans were executed for the growth and people welfare and so Srirangam got developed rapidly.

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