Presiding Deity: Sri Ranganatha Perumal
Presiding Goddess: Sri Ranganayaki Thayar
Stala Vruksam: Mahila Maram
Teertham: Dakshina Pinakini River/Then Pennai River.
Travel Base : Thirukovilur/ Thiruvannamalai
This temple is located in a village name Thiruvarangam, near
Manalurpet enroute to Thiruvannamalai from Thirukovilur. This temple is located
in the banks of Then Pennai River.
This history of the temple is that during the Matsya Avatar
of Mahavishnu, a demon took the Vedas from Lord Brahma ,went in to Mahasamudra
and hid it. Without the Vedas in his possession Lord Brahma approached Maha Vishnu
and requested him to retrieve back the Vedas. Lord Vishnu took Matysa Avatar,
and imparted the Vedic Knowledge to Brahma.
Hence this temples history is much older than that of the
Srirangam, near Trichirapalli(Trichy). The temple in Srirangam is said to be in
existence since the Ramayana Period. However this Thiruvarangam is said to be
in existence from the Matsya Avatar.
As you approach the village you can see Sugar Cane fields on
both sides of the road. (The road from Thirukovilur to Manalurpet is well laid,
however the next 4 kms from Manalurpet to Thiruvarangam was not is good shape).
The temple is located in the end of the village. The temple
features a huge outer wall which does not feature a Tower or Gopuram. There are
relief work featuring the ornate entrance. There are two praharams(
Circumambulatory Paths), The outer praharam is between the outer wall and the
main temple complex.
As you enter the main temple complex which houses both the
sanctum of Lord Ranganatha and Lord Ranga Nayaki, you are welcomed be a halls
with ornate pillars. This entrance has a five tiered Gopuram. As you enter the
temple you can see the Dwaja Stambam, Bali Peetam. There is a shrine of lord Krishna which is in
the first floor of the temple which can be viewed from the place near dwaja
stambam.
Then you proceed to the sanctum you can have darshan of Sri
Rama which his consort Sri Sita Devi and His brother Sri Lakshmana.
Then you proceed toward the main sanctum, you can have
darshan of Sri Garuda the mount of Lord Vishnu.
Then you pass two more gates which are guarded by Jaya
Vijaya and Maniyan Manikarnan.
Then you find the most beautiful, ever smiling, ever
blessing, statue of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. The largest in whole of south India(
as I was told). In the sanctum his is
seen in the sayana posture on the coiled bed of Snake Lord Ananta. Lord Ananta
is featuring with five hoods. Near lords upper torso one can see Sri Lakshmi
and near his foot one can see Sri Boodevi.
From his umbilical cord there creeps a lotus flowers on
which Lord Brahma is seated, listening to the Vedas. One can also see the
Garuda sitting and praying to Lord.
I could have stood there for unknown time, unless I had
office on that day. I am sure if you have darshan of this deity, I am sure
before leaving the temple every one would feel to go and darshan once again or
they will plan their next trip.
In a separate shrine Goddess Mahalakshmi is gracing her
devotees with peace, wealth and sreyas. She is called Sri Ranga Nayaki,
literally nayaki of Sri Ranganatha.
This temple was left to natures assault without any proper
maintenance. Since a decade and half back some local people took steps to
renovate the temple and has started performing pooja. The temple is kept open
from morning 6 Am till 8 PM in the night.
The pillars in this temple have lot of bas relief structures
featuring various avatars of Sri Maha Vishnu.
On the outer praharam as you enter the temple one can see a
huge structure which was used for storing the paddy harvested. The stored paddy
can be then redistributed to general public incase of crop failure due to
monsoon failure or any other calamities either natural or man made.
