Ranganathaswamy

Ranganathaswamy refers to the principal deity of the Ranganathaswamy Temple, located in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. The deity is Vishnu shown in a reclining posture on the coils of the serpent Adishesha, with Lakshmi seated on his chest. Ranganathaswamy is revered as a central figure in Vaishnavism and is regarded as one of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred temples praised in the Tamil Vaishnava canon.

The temple sits on an island formed by the Cauvery (Kaveri) River near Tiruchirappalli. Its temple complex is a quintessential example of Dravidian architecture, featuring multiple concentric enclosures known asprakarams and a profusion of gopurams and shrines. A prominent temple tank, Teppakulam, lies nearby, and the complex houses numerous devotional and ritual spaces used throughout the year by pilgrims and priests.

Historically, the site has ancient roots and was expanded and embellished during the Chola period, with substantial additions by later Vijayanagara rulers. The temple is closely associated with Sri Vaishnavism and the philosopher-saint Ramanuja, who contributed to its theological and devotional traditions. It is celebrated in the Divya Prabandham, the early Tamil Vaishnava liturgy, reinforcing its importance in Tamil religious culture.

Festivals and daily rites form a central aspect of temple life, with Vaikunta Ekadasi standing as one of the most significant annual observances. The temple remains an active pilgrimage center and a working temple complex, drawing devotees from across India and beyond for worship, processions, and ceremonial functions.