History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Ranganathaswami Temple, Srirangpatna, Karnataka, India
Ranganathaswami Temple is dedicated to the deity of Ranganatha swamy who is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Sri Ranganathswami temple is located in island of Srirangapatna near Mysore city in state of Karnataka. You can find several Ranganathan Swamy temples in South India, few popular are located in Srirangam and Shivanasamudra Kollegal of Chamrajnagar district. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of Karnataka's Largest and most revered shrines. The temple is 14 kms from Mysore and 125 km from Bangalore. It is one of the five important Pilgrimage sites of Sri Vaishnavism located on holy river Kaveri also called the Panchranga Kshetram. The temple is protected by the Archeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance due to its antiquity.
As per the historical records found, it is believed that temple was first built in 984 AD by the local chief called Tirumala of western Ganga Dynasty. Then, great Hoysala King VishnuVardhana had granted the village of Srirangapatna to the Vaishnava saint Ramanuj Acharya center of learning and Hoysala King Veera Ballala II had added features and renovate temple during 12th century. Then next level of addition happen during the Vijayanagara empire presenting the Vijayanagara architecture style.
The temple has an imposing tower over the Gopuaram and two large concentric rectangular enclosures called prakhara around its perimeter. The tower over the entrance stands features consistent with Vijayanagara architecture. The entrance to the Garbhagriha is through multiple enormously carved pillared halls - Mantapa. In the sanctum, the beautiful idol of Supreme Lord Vishnu reclines on the coils of the snake Adisesha, under a canopy formed by the snake's seven hoods, with his consort Lakshmi at his feet. Also there are some small temples dedicated to God Garuna, Bhoodevi, Brahma, Krishna, Narsimha, Sridevi, Gopalakrishna and Hanuman built in temple premises. The statue of Garuna is the gold-plated deity.
It is believed that in comparison to Ganga, Kaveri is more sacred and River Ganga herself used to come to wash the sins here. After some time Maa Kaveri was full of sins, and she decided to pray to Lord Vishnu. The Lord awarded her three boons. One was that the Kaveri river would be more sacred than the ganga. The second was Srirangapatna will be a Pilgrimage and the third Lord Vishnu will always be there in the form of Ranganatha swamy. As per legend, river Kaveri had forms three big islands, Shivanasamudra of Karnataka, Srirangapatna and Srirangam. As per the local belief devotees who visit these three temples, all in a day will surely attain salvation.
As Srirangpatna is island in Holy River Kaveri and Temple is surrounded by River Kaveri so pilgrims takes holy dip at Ghat before entering the Temple premise. Devotee visits Rangnathswami Temple throughout the year but the best time to witness its glory is during the various festivals like Bangarada Garudotsava, Sriranga Jayanti, Sudha Poornima, Kotarothsava, and Uyyalotsava are celebrated here with great zeal.
How to Reach Sri Ranganathswami Temple, Srirangpatna, Historical and Religious Site, near Mysore, Karnataka, India
Sri Ranganathaswami is prime attraction and located in heart of Srirangpatna. As Srirangpatna is one of the important historical and religious site close to Mysore, Karnataka and home to several ancient temple. Thus, it is easily accessible via road, rail and air network. Mysore has major railway station from where you can get train to all major station of India. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. The nearest airport from Srirangpatna is Mysore Airport at 25 km. There are regular flights to Mysore from all major cities in the country. Srirangpatna is located at just 18 km from Mysore, 126 km from Bangalore, 118 km from Hassan and 60 km from Talakadu.
