Thursday, April 14, 2016

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Enclosures

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Enclosures
The Srirangam Temple is the only one in India with seven enclosures, a sacred symbolic number which, for present day Vaishnava believers, represents the seven centers of Yoga and a reference to the seven elements making up the human body in the center of which dwells the soul.

The temple of Srirangam is situated at 10 degrees 52’N and 78 degrees 42’ E towards the southern tip of India on an Island formed by two arms of the River Cauvery. The temple covers a vast area of about 6, 31,000 Sq. m. (156 Acres). The temple consists of seven concentric rectangular enclosures around the sanctum sanctorum.



There are 7 big walls found around this temple covering next to next each other. The 7 walls are referred to as the 7 worlds. The 7th wall is the outer wall which can be seen and it is 3072 feet in length and 2521 feet in breadth. For 7 prakarams, 7 Thiruveedhi (streets) are found.


7th Thiruveedhi is called "Chithirai Thiruveedhi" where big houses and bungalows are found. Sixth Veedhi, which is found in Sixth prakaram is called "Thiruvikraman Thiruveedhi", fifth Veedhi on 5th prakaram is Agalangan Thiru Veedhi", Fourth Veedhi in 4th prakaram is "Aalinadan Thiruveedhi", Third Veedhi in 3rd prakaram is "Kulasekharan Thiruveedhi", Second Veedhi in 2nd prakaram is "Raja Mahendran", and in the first prakaram, Emperumaan Sri Ranganathan in Kidantha Kolam gives Seva and this is called "Dharma Varman Thiru chutru (circle).


Sriranganathar swami at Srirangam temple, Sriranganathar is called Anantha Sayana Perumal (seen in lying position in the five headed snake) and blesses with his three wives namely Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Ranganachiyar in the first enclosure of temple Srirangam. Srirangam temple is covered by 7 enclosures.


The 7 prakarams of Srirangam temple have been named after the kings and Alwars who built them and each represents a planetary system. They are explained in detail below;
Seventh Enclosure (Kaliyuga Raman Thiruveedhi)
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sixth Enclosure (Thiruvikraman Thiruveedhi):
For brief details, please refer below link;
Fifth Enclosure (Agalangan Thiruveedhi):
For brief details, please refer below link;
Fourth Enclosure (Aalinadan Thiruveedhi):
For brief details, please refer below link;
Third Enclosure (Kulasekharan Thiruveedhi):
For brief details, please refer below link;
Second Enclosure (Rajamahendra Thiruveedhi):
For brief details, please refer below link;
First Enclosure (Dharmavarman Thiruveedhi):
For brief details, please refer below link;