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/Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
State Temple
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
श्री रंगनाथस्वामी मंदिर, श्रीरंगम
Location
Srirangam (Tiruchirappalli), Tamil Nadu
Darshan
–
Deity
🪔Lord Vishnu (Sri Ranganathaswamy)
Entry
Free entry
Srirangam is the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams (sacred Vishnu temples) revered by the Alvars. It is often referred to as 'Bhooloka Vaikuntham' (Heaven on Earth). It is the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world.
Mythology
The main deity, Lord Ranganatha (a reclining form of Vishnu), was originally worshipped by Lord Rama in Ayodhya. Rama gifted the idol to Vibhishana (brother of Ravana) for his support. While carrying it back to Lanka, Vibhishana placed it on the ground at Srirangam to perform rituals. The idol became permanently rooted there. Lord Ranganatha agreed to stay but promised to always cast his gaze towards Lanka (southward).