Ranganatha
Encyclopedia
Ranganātha also known as Sri Ranganatha, Ranganathar, or Ranga, is a Hindu
deity, more well known in South India
. The deity is a resting form of Lord Vishnu
, one of the foremost of Hindu
Gods. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi
, also known as Ranganayaki
, Thayar (mother in Tamil
). Most of the deities portray a 'smiling' lord in a reclining position over the celestial serpent Adisesha. This is the form in which he is open to listening to all of his devotee's woes, and blesses them. Apart from being worshipped by all Hindus, this form is of particular importance to the Sri Vaishnava community. His name is Sanskrit
for "protector of the place of assembly".
One of the most sacred of Ranganatha temples is Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam
, Trichy. Of the 108 Divya Desams
(sacred places of worship of Lord Vishnu), Ranganatha or the reclining posture of the God can be found in many temples. They include Thirumayyam, Thirukoshtiyur, Koviladi, Kapisthalam, Thiruneermalai, Tiruvallur
, Anbil, Appokudathan, Mayiladuthurai, Srivilliputhur, and Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
The five sacred Ranganatha temples on the banks of the Kaveri River are popularly known as Pancharanga Kshetrams
. Also Kaveri forms small islands in the following 3 places:
The South India
n name Ranganathan
is derived from the name Ranganatha.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
deity, more well known in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. The deity is a resting form of Lord Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
, one of the foremost of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Gods. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
, also known as Ranganayaki
Ranganayaki
Ranganayaki, is the presiding Goddess of Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangam. Affectionately called ThAyAr , she is the consort of Lord Ranganatha, the male deity of Srirangam. She is regarded as the manifestation of Lakshmi. She is also called Ranga NAchiAr.Ranganayaki is held in high reverence...
, Thayar (mother in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
). Most of the deities portray a 'smiling' lord in a reclining position over the celestial serpent Adisesha. This is the form in which he is open to listening to all of his devotee's woes, and blesses them. Apart from being worshipped by all Hindus, this form is of particular importance to the Sri Vaishnava community. His name is Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
for "protector of the place of assembly".
One of the most sacred of Ranganatha temples is Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam
Srirangam
Srirangam , Old name is Vellithirumutha gramam and Tamil name is Thiruvarangam , is an island and a part of the city of Tiruchirapalli , in South India....
, Trichy. Of the 108 Divya Desams
Divya Desams
Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars . 105 of these are located in India, 1 in Nepal, while 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms. 'Divya' in Tamil language indicates premium and 'Desam' indicates place or temple.The two major deities...
(sacred places of worship of Lord Vishnu), Ranganatha or the reclining posture of the God can be found in many temples. They include Thirumayyam, Thirukoshtiyur, Koviladi, Kapisthalam, Thiruneermalai, Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur is a temple town and Grade I municipality in Tiruvallur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Cooum river about northwest of the city of Chennai , the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvallur district...
, Anbil, Appokudathan, Mayiladuthurai, Srivilliputhur, and Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
The five sacred Ranganatha temples on the banks of the Kaveri River are popularly known as Pancharanga Kshetrams
Pancharanga Kshetrams
Pancharanga Kshetrams literally means 5 Ranganatha temples . These 5 temples are situated on the banks of Kaveri in south India. The following constitute Pancharanga Kshetrams:-References:2....
. Also Kaveri forms small islands in the following 3 places:
- Adi Ranga - at SrirangapatnaSrirangapatnaSrirangapatna is a town in Mandya district of the Indian state of Karnataka...
- Madhya Ranga - at Shivanasamudram
- Antya Ranga - SrirangamSrirangamSrirangam , Old name is Vellithirumutha gramam and Tamil name is Thiruvarangam , is an island and a part of the city of Tiruchirapalli , in South India....
The South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
n name Ranganathan
Ranganathan
Ranganathan is a South Indian name. It is derived from the Sanskrit name Ranganatha, which is the name of the Hindu god Vishnu, as depicted resting on the nāga Shesha...
is derived from the name Ranganatha.
Temples
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam,Trichy
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, SrirangapatnaSri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangapatna)The Sri Ranganthaswamy temple in Srirangapatna, in the Indian state of Karnataka, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Ranganatha, a manifestation of Vishnu and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams. The town of Srirangapatna, which derives its name from the temple, is located on an island in the...
, - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, ShivanasamudraSri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Shivanasamudra)The Sri Ranganthaswamy temple in Shivanasamudra, in the Indian state of Karnataka, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Ranganatha, a manifestation of Vishnu. The temple is one of a set of three major temples that are built on three different islands on the Kaveri and are dedicated to lord...
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, NelloreSri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Nellore)The Sri Ranganthaswami Temple in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha a resting form of Lord Vishnu. This temple, also called Talpagiri Ranganathaswami temple or Ranganayakulu is one of the oldest temples in Nellore. It is located on the banks of the Penna...