19 Amazing Facts About Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Of Srirangam In Tamil Nadu

*Srirangam temple is listed as the largest functioning Hindu temple in
the world.

*Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple has
withstood natural disasters as well as the rampaging attacks of Islamic armies
and European conquerors.

*The main entrance, known as the
Rajagopuram (the royal temple tower), rises from the base area of around 5720
and goes up to 237 feet (72 m).

*The annual 21 day festival attracts 1
million visitors.

* It was constructed in the
Dravidian style of architecture, and is one of the most illustrious Vaishnava
temples in South India.

*The inscription on pillars belong to
the Indian dynasties of Chola and Pandya.

*The temple has 21 gopurams (towers),
39 pavilions, 50 shrines, Ayiram kaal
mandapam (a hall of 1000 pillars) and several small water bodies
inside.

*The hall of 1000 pillars actually has
only 953 pillars.

*As per the legend, the deity in temple
was worshipped by Lord Rama for a long time and was handed over to King
Vibhishana after Rama’s victory over Ravana.

*In the 13th century, Alauddin
Khilji’s general Malik Kafur invaded the region and stole the idol.

* In 1323 AD the deity was taken
away when Kafur invaded again and was brought back to the main temple after 60
years.

*Malik Kafur’s daughter offered herself
to god in the sanctum.

*It is the only temple among 108 which
was praised in the songs of all the saints of Tamil Bhakti movement.

* Free food is offered to 200
devotees each day.

*The walls of the Temple complex are
painted with exquisite paintings using herbal and vegetable dyes.

*The idol of the main deity is made of
 Stucco and not granite.

* The Temple complex has 2 large tanks inside it, Chandra Pushkarini and
Surya Pushkarini.

lightuptemple