Ranganatha Temple

Overview

Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple situated in Shivasamudhra (Shivanasamudra), Karnataka, is a 9th century CE Chola temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams, holy places for Vaishnavaites (the followers of Vishnu). Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple is situated on an island in the River Kaveri. There is a Ranganathaswamy temple at every point where the River Kaveri splits to form an island. The first one is at Srirangapatna ('Adi Ranga'), the second one is here at Shivanasamudram ('Madhya Ranga') and the third at Tiruchirapalli in Srirangam ('Antya Ranga'). The distinctness of Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple in Shivasamudra is that Adiseshan (snake) is seven-headed whereas in the other two temples it is a five-headed one. The main deity is believed to be a Black Fossil Stone or in other words a Shaligrama Shila.

About The Temple

This temple was built by the Cholas and is also known as Jagan Mohana Ranganathaswamy Temple added to by the Hoysala and Vijayanagar kings. It is one of three major temples built on the River Kaveri, dedicated to the reclining form of Lord Vishnu, called Ranganatha. The temple has many shrines within it which are dedicated to Daksha, son of Brahma and father of Sathi, Shri Ramanujar and Swami Desikan, the Vaishnavaite leaders, various Alwars, Vayu Puttra (Hanuman), Santhana Krishnan and Chakrathaalwar. The shrine of Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi is to the side of the sanctum.

About The Deity

Lord Vishnu is in the form of the traditional Sri Ranganatha made from a rare Shaligrama shila and is found in a reclining posture on Adhisesha, the seven-headed snake. Goddess Lakshmi, present here as Cauvery, is seated near his feet. The procession deity (Uthsavar) with Sridevi and Bhoodevi are exquisite bronzes.

Legend and Stories

Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple’s history is immersed in legend. The story states that Daksha was liberated or granted Moksham on Vaikunta Ekadesi. Daksha was one of Brahma's sons and his daughter was Sati or Dakshayani who wanted to marry Lord Shiva. Daksha did not like Shiva and Sati married him against her father’s wishes. Daksha distanced himself from Sati. He arranged a great yagna (fire sacrifice) and did not invite Shiva to be the recipient of the function’s first honours. Sati wanted to attend the event against the advice of Shiva and was so humiliated by her father’s attitude to Shiva that she jumped into the fire. Shiva was enraged and grief stricken, and began his cosmic dance, thandavam going on a rampage, killing Daksha and many others. Terrified, the other gods prayed to him to restore Daksha's life and Shiva restored Daksha's life with the head of a goat. Daksha repented and became Shiva's most sincere attendant. Also, Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Lord Indra here in this sacred space.

Festivals

Vaikunta Ekadesi, the 11th day of the waxing moon in the month of Magh/Margazhi is an important occasion in this Vishnu temple.

Significance

It is believed that if one is able to visit all the three temples of Shivanasamudra, Srirangam and Srirangapatna in a day starting from sunrise to sunset, the sins are absolved and one is blessed with peace, happiness and prosperity.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is in Bangalore.

Railways

Nearest railway station is in Mysore, at a distance of 60 kilometers.

Road

The distance from Shivanasamudra from Bangalore is around 135 kms. A journey would take approximately 3 hours from Bangalore.

Temple Address