A Majestic South Indian Temple – Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – Srirangam, Trichy
Temple architectures have always interested me. But the size, height & grandeur of this one is truly breath taking! I had recently been to the Srirangam Temple – Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Trichy and glad to post some photos taken from outside that temple.
This is one of the tallest temple Gopurams in Tamil Nadu. This one leads to the entrance, so this is constructed on the outermost area of the temple. When one crosses this Gopuram, there is still only road and shops! I remember a few years ago, when I was going from Trichy to Chennai, the bus stopped at some distance from this Gopuram and I accidentally turned around to see this…. I was impressed by its size! And from that time, I wanted to visit this temple, which has happened now.
Ain’t that huge? When you go inside this Gopuram, the view is still enchanting! I have taken one photo from there as well.
So, the whole Gopuram is standing over this! That should have taken a lot of efforts to construct, alright 🙂 After this Gopuram, there are a number of smaller Gopuram’s that lead us to the main temple. Actually, I was amazed to find such smaller Gopuram’s at all the four lanes which go to the temple.
Not sure how many more such Gopuram’s are there around this temple. It seems this temple was constructed partly by a lot of kings and empires. Starting from the Chola Kings, who first started the construction, the Vijayanagara Kings supported by Madurai Nayakkars, and many more dynasties aided in the construction of this temple. It seems one Gopuram was constructed as recently as 1987.
The above photo is of the main entrance that goes in to the temple compound. I didn’t go inside due to lack of time, and also because cameras are not allowed beyond this place! How I would have loved to click the 1000 Pillar Hall and other monuments inside! But I did go around the temple.
So, as you can see from the above photo, this temple is very very long! It took about 20 minutes of walking for me to cover one side of the four sides! Wonder what all they have kept inside such a huge premises, maybe some other day I will go 🙂
This is the Gopuram that can be found on the back side of this temple. This is the first time I am seeing a Gopuram painted white 🙂 Luckily, most part of this temple has survived numerous invaders and wars. It seems most of the rulers or invaders did not think of destructing this temple. In fact, many of them aided in the further construction through donations. There was a serious threat from the Delhi Sultan in the 14th Century, but even then only the idol was stolen. Even that was given back after various artistes from here went there, performed their arts to the satisfaction of the king and requested for the idol.
But slightly later on, there was another attack and this time, the people were cautious enough to take the main deity to Tirupathi (Tirumala) where it was safely kept for another six decades. And when it was safe enough, it was brought back.
Destination Infinity
Beautiful.The temple history always fascinates me.I have never seen such a tall gopuram,one would sprain their neck to see the topmost part of the gopuram no…
Wonderful gopurams and 1000 pillars hall i saw in one telugu movie.
Loved all the pics….
Yeah, from nearby, it was difficult to see the topmost part! Guess you have to go back to see it!
Destination Infinity
Eeyikes!! That’s a LOT of work that would have gone into the making of that one gopuram itself! 😯 And that too in those days!
I think that Gopuram was constructed more recently… Something in this temple was constructed in 1980’s and I don’t exactly know what. But yeah, constructing all the other gopurams and the main temple area would have taken so much efforts in deed. I think its both spiritual and economic spirits that drives the making of such great things.
Destination Infinity
Woooooooow! I cannot describe in words how wonderful this is!
U rock!
Yeah, the temple builders rock! 😀 Its much easier to just photograph the temple 🙂
Destination Infinity
Very Nice Pics…
I read somewhere that the temple compound was starting from the main entrance (the taller most ‘Gopuram’) few centuries back. In the later years, the temple places were occupied by people who made the compound to shrink into the current one. Luckily, these people didn’t do any damage to the Gopurams at least..
Even the shrinked compound is too big! But I guess thats true because the gopurams from all the other sides start from approximately the same distance as the main gopuram. So, the temple should have started from there, I guess.
Destination Infinity
That’s such a huge gopuram.. Very beautiful pics.. I have a doubt I have seen this temple, not sure.. I had been on a temple trip in TN.. not sure we covered this.. I love the Madurai temple’s gopuram too.. so artistic right?
That Madurai temple has always been a mystery to me. In the photos, there are so many large gopurams but when I went there, I was able to see only one smaller one! Maybe I should have gone around that temple like how I did here, and should have looked up from inside the temple! as well 🙂 But I think the Madurai temple has become too commercial and too touristy, unlike this one.
Destination Infinity
Beautiful pictures of the gopuram…it sure is a grandeur one! Your angles are too good DI..
Been there, seen them, had darshans, and have taken pictures too! I also have a small collection of srirangam temple’s old pictures..those taken in early 1900s with me…will post them sometime…
Do scan them and post it, would love to see those pictures… I am yet to go inside the temple – will plan for it soon 🙂
Destination Infinity
Interesting fact! The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ranganathar, a reclining form of Hindu deity, Vishnu located in Srirangam. It is believed that people who get darshan in this temple during the Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi days signifies entering Vaikuntam (Heaven) and attaining Moksha.
Bro… nice collection…
You missed alot to see in the main temple…. every thing astonished you…
Every part of the temple has a history behind it… for example, as u mentioned the 2nd biggest gopuram is colored white in the rememberance of a temple vasya (prostitute), who killed the main commandant in delhi sultanate army (who attacked the temple) and also sacrificed her life… 100s of vaishnavaite brahmins lost their lives to protect the temple against muslims attack…
You mentioned the last construction took place in 1980s. That is nothing but the biggest gopuram which is constructed by Ahobila jeeyangar…
You didnt mentioned that this temple is biggest administered temple in the world and is the main temple among all vishnu temples…. it is sorrounded by 7 outer walls with 21 gopurams….