Ranganayaki

Ranganayaki is a Hindu goddess, a form of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. She is primarily worshipped in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Ranganayaki is often depicted as a beautiful woman seated on a lotus flower, holding a lotus in each hand. She is adorned with traditional jewelry and is often accompanied by her consort, Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ranganatha.

The name Ranganayaki itself is derived from Sanskrit. "Ranga" refers to the sanctum sanctorum of a temple, particularly associated with Vishnu temples, and "Nayaki" means mistress or queen. Therefore, Ranganayaki signifies the queen of the sanctum, highlighting her supreme position in devotion.

Her worship is particularly prominent in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, where the Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Ranganayaki. She is considered the presiding deity of this significant Vaishnavite pilgrimage site. Devotees pray to Ranganayaki for blessings of wealth, marital happiness, and overall well-being. Festivals dedicated to her, often coinciding with those of Vishnu, are celebrated with great fervor, involving elaborate rituals and processions. Her iconography and importance are deeply intertwined with the Bhakti movement and the devotional traditions of South India.