Srirangam Temple - It Is The Tallest In India Rising 73 M High With 13 Tiers

SRIRANGAM TEMPLE 

AT

TRICHIRAPALLI

srirangam is located in Trichy distirct of Tamil Nadu state of India.Srirangam is famous for Sri Renganathar temple which is one of the 108 vaishnava temples and is called Earthy Heaven (Boologa vaikundam) Srirangam  rangam means island and srirangam is the island between Cauvery and kollidam (coleroon) where sri Ranganatha is lying on His Adi Sesha (snake) couch.

The main sanctum of sri ranganatha is surrounded by 7 large enclosures and 21 majestic gopurams. On the south is tanga vilasam and seshagiri royal mandapam with marvelous sculptural splendour.

The main deity is enshrined within the first corridor. The vimanam shaped like omkara is plated with gold. The temple was constructed by the chola king Dharma varman and even before that it is said that the temple existed buried under the sand. 

 Almost  all the kings who held’sway  in Tamil Nadu  have spent lavishly to embellish the temple and even the British king Edward 7 has presented a gold plate. Saint Ramanuja, the author of vishistadvaitham tenet functioned from here to spread vaishnavism and his mortal remains are entombed in a sanctum here.

The unfinished tower started by Krishna devaraya has now been completed 1987. It is the tallest in india rising 73 m high with 13 tiers. The other gopurams were built between the 14^th and 17^th centuries by various kings.

The artistical splendour of this temple excels beyond description. The east facing Krishna shrine is a display of feminine grace in stone. The seshagiri rayar mandapam opposite the 1000 pillared mandapam is unique withits equestrian statues. The tiger hunt sculputure is a marvel in stone.

 The hall is a living testimony to the dexterity of the vijayanagar craftsman. The amrita kalasa garuda is a superb carving in the vehicle mandapam. The eight-armed venugopala and lakshminarayana on Garuda are inimitable.

The temple is enormous in size. The temple complex is 156 acres in extent. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. this temple lies on an islet formed by the twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon.

Vaikunda ekadasi festival is very famous in this temple. At that time, the paramapada vassal (paradise gate) is opened and lakhs of pilgrims rush to enter it as it is believed that one who enters here will reach vaikunta after death.

Tiruchirappalli is well connected with Road, Rail and Air Routes

Srirangam Temple is located 9 Km. from Tiruchirappalli Rail Junction

Srirangam Temple is located 15 Km. from Tiruchirappalli Air Port

Srirangam Temple is located 0.5 Km. from Srirangam Railway Station.

Srirangam temple timings

Viswarooba seva – 6am to 6.30am

Seva – 6.30am to 7.30am

Pooja time – 7.30am to 8.45 am

Morning seva – 8.45 am to 1.00pm

After noon seva -  2.30pm to 4.15 pm

Pooja time – 4pm to 5.30pm

Upto 9pm

Viswaroopa seva – Rs.200/ per head

General entrance – free in all seva time

Special entrance – Rs.50/ per head

You Can Create Four Memorable Days After Visiting Gujarat's Ahmedabad And Bhuj

Here's a program for a 4-day trip 

to Gujarat's Ahmedabad and Bhuj.

/Creative Commons

Day 1
Begin your day at the historic square called Manek Chowk. From here, you can traipse the market lanes of Ratanpol, Rani-no-Haziro, Sindhi Market, Revdi Bazaar, the cloth market of Sarangpur and Ramakda market in search of attractive chaniya choli, salwar kameez, sarees, blockprinted fabrics, embroideries, bandhani tie-dye fabrics, traditional jewellery and utensils.

 You could even pick up painted pots and dandiya sticks for Navratri. While wandering through these markets, you can catch glimpses of Ahmedabad's historic architecture-the superbly carved wooden façade of a haveli, the domes and minarets of 600-year-old mosques, decorous Jain and Hindu temples, and medieval fort gates.

In the afternoon, cross the Sabarmati River to Ashram Road and CG Road, which are Ahmedabad's famous shopping streets for jewellery, sarees, shervanis, kurtas, garments and designer wear, For those looking to get an outfit for Navratri, Jagruti Exports & Jainam Handicrafts near Suvidha Shopping Center in Paldi specialises in chaniya-choli sets and related accessories.

 For khadi and handicrafts, explore Kamdhenu Complex at Panjarapol Cross Roads. If malls are more your style, Alpha One near Vastrapur Lake is one that has a section for Gujarati and Rajasthani handicrafts besides the ubiquitous national and international brands.

In the evening head out for the night market around Law Garden, where pavement-side vendors sell embroidered fabrics and handmade products. Bargain hard.

Day 2
Travel to Bhuj, the base to visit villages that specialise in specific crafts like Ajrakh block printing, mirror work embroidery of Hindu pastoral groups like Rabari and Ahir, woodcarving, wool weaving, bandhani and metalwork.

 The HM Craft Park at Bhujodi, the Craft Resource Centre at Kukma and outlets of NGOs like Shrujan, Kala Raksha and Qasab Craft are worth visiting. Explore the markets of Bhuj where you can get jewellery and hand-embellished fabrics.

Day 3
From Bhuj, travel north to craft villages in the Banni grasslands-here, the Meghwals, the Sodha Rajputs, Islamic pastoral groups like the Jaths and the Mutvas, and other communities have their own distinctive embroidery styles. In the villages here, you can get exquisite embroidered fabrics and leather goods.

Day 4
From Bhuj, take the National Highway to Sayla in Surendranagar district, one of the state's largest handloom producing districts. Visit villages like Wadhwan, Muli, Sayla, Somasar, Sejakpur, Dasada and Ambala.

Tangaliya shawls, ikat silk sarees, khadi, hand-woven linen, bandhani, Rabari embroidery, decorative beadwork objects of the Kathi durbars, brass utensils, jewellery and stonecraft are good buys from this district. Continue from here to Ahmedabad or take the train back from Surendranagar.