Śrīraṅgam

Viṣṇu as Raṅganātha · island in the Kāverī, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

The Raṅganāthasvāmī temple stands on an island formed by the Kāverī and Kollidam rivers. It is first among the 108 Divya Deśams praised by the Āḻvār saints and is often described as one of the largest functioning Hindu temple complexes, with seven concentric enclosures that contain a whole living town.

Viṣṇu reclines on the serpent Ādiśeṣa as Raṅganātha. The great teacher Rāmānuja lived and worked here. Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī (December–January), when the “gate of heaven” is opened, is the most important festival.

Tradition says the image of Raṅganātha was worshipped by the kings of Ayodhyā, and Rāma gave it to Vibhīṣaṇa after the war. On his way to Laṅkā, Vibhīṣaṇa set it down on this island and could not lift it again. Comforting him, the Lord agreed to face south, towards Laṅkā, as he still does.

Tamil Nadu · First Divya Deśam · Rāmānuja · Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī

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