ADHI THIRUVARANGAM TEMPEL

Nach einer hinduistischen Legende stahl ein Dämonenkönig namens Somukan den Devas alle Veden, und alle Weisen waren besorgt. Sie appellierten an Vishnu, der an diesem Ort als Ranganatha auftrat, aus dem Wasser aufzutauchen, um die heiligen Schriften zu retten. Er soll auch Brahma an dieser Stelle beraten haben. Einer anderen Legende nach verehrte ein König namens Surakeerthi, der kinderlos war, Vishnu an diesem Ort, um Kinder zu bekommen. Chandra, der Mondgott, verlor sein ganzes Leuchten wegen eines Fluchs, den er erlitt. Die Himmelsgottheiten rieten ihm, Vishnu an diesem Ort anzubeten. Er errichtete ein Wasserbecken, verehrte Ranganatha mit dem heiligen Wasser und glaubte, von seinem Fluch befreit worden zu sein. Es wird angenommen, dass das Tempelbecken Chandra Pushkarani das von ihm errichtete Becken ist.

Der Tempel wird als Periya Perumal-Tempel angesehen, was bedeutet, dass das Bild von Ranganathar größer ist als das des Ranganathar-Tempels in Srirangam.

Die Statue besteht nicht aus Stein, sondern aus reinen Kräutern.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhirangam_Ranganathaswamy_temple

https://anudinam.org/2016/01/09/sthala-puranam-adhi-thiruvarangam-ranganatha-perumal-temple/

ADHI THIRUVARANGAM TEMPLE

Adhirangam Ranganathaswamy temple or Ranganatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Adhi Thiruvarangam in the Taluk of Sankarapuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas, with later contributions from Vijayanagar kings. The temple covers an area of 5 acres (20,000 m2) and has a historical grain storage container.

Ranganatha Perumal is believed to have appeared to king Mahabali and the Azhwars. Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent. The temple is open from 6 am to 7:30 pm. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

As per Hindu legend, a demon king named Somukan stole all the Vedas from the Devas and all the sages were worried. They appealed to Vishnu, who appeared as Ranganatha at this place to emerge from water to rescue the scriptures. He is also believed to have advised Brahma at this place. As per another legend, a king named Surakeerthi who was childless worshipped Vishnu at this place to get children. Chandra, the moon god, lost all his glow on account of a curse he incurred. The celestial deities advised him to worship Vishnu at this place. He established a tank and worshipped Ranganatha with the holy waters and believed to have been relieved off his curse. The temple tank, Chandra Pushkarani, is believed to be the tank he established.

Architecture

The temple has a flat rajagopuram, the gateway tower and is surrounded by tall granite walls. The temple covers an area of 2 acres (8,100 m2) and has two precincts. The presiding deity, Ranganatha Perumal, has an imposing image measuring 29 ft (8.8 m) made of mooligai silai(idol made with herbs) and is seen in reclining posture in the sanctum. The five headed snake Adisesha is sported as an umbrella for the presiding deity made of stucco. The sanctum also houses the image of Sridevi near his head and Bhudevi near his foot. The festival deity, Rangarajan along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are also housed in the sanctum. There is a mace made of silver located near the arm and the image of Garuda seen in praying posture is located near the foot of the presiding deity. The images of Azhwars are housed in the hall preceding the sanctum. The central shrine is approached from the gopuram axially through a four pillared mani mandapam and pillared halls of mukha mandapam and artha mandapam. The shrine of Ranganayaki, the consort of Ranganathar is located in a shrine parallel to the sanctum. The temple has a historical grain storage container made of brick located in the south east corner of the temple. The granary is one of its kind as in other temples like Srirangam, Jambukeswarar Temple at Tiruvanaikaval and Palaivananathar Temple at Papanasam. It is believed that famers in the region store their grains in the temple, which also accommodates contributions of the donors to the temple. There are shrines of Kodandarama, Hanuman and Krishna around the sanctum. The shrine of Ranganayagi has sculpted pillars made in Vijayanagara style. There is a huge foot of Vishnu is seen around the western side in the first precinct.

The temple is considered as Periya Perumal temple, meaning the image of presiding Ranganathar is larger than the one found at Ranganathar Temple at Srirangam. The temple finds mention in the Sanskrit work Skanda Purana.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhirangam_Ranganathaswamy_temple

https://anudinam.org/2016/01/09/sthala-puranam-adhi-thiruvarangam-ranganatha-perumal-temple/