My Trip to Srirangam and beyond

 Srirangam is a river island in Tamil Nadu, famous for its Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest temple complex in India, and the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world. It is also one of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred places for Vaishnavites. I had always wanted to visit this holy place and experience its rich heritage and culture. So, when I got a chance to go there with my friends, I was overjoyed.

We reached Srirangam by a KSRTC Airavat bus from Bengaluru. We checked into Hotel Hayagriv, a comfortable hotel near the temple. After freshening up, we headed to ISKCON Srirangam, a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. We had a delicious lunch there and enjoyed the serene atmosphere.

Next, we visited Kaatazhagiya Narasimha temple, a small but ancient shrine of Lord Narasimha, the half-man half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. We were amazed by the intricate carvings and sculptures on the walls and pillars. We also saw the Dashavathar temple, another old temple that depicts the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. 

We then went to Yamunacharya Samadhi, the memorial of Sri Yamunacharya, a great philosopher and teacher of Sri Vaishnavism. We paid our respects to his statue and learned about his life and teachings. We also saw his disciples’ samadhis nearby.

We had dinner at a local restaurant and retired for the night. The next day, we woke up early. We woke up at 3 for Darshan Arthi at the ISKCON, then had lunch, and got ready for the highlight of our trip: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Thousands of devotees gather to witness the magnanimous deity and chant hymns in praise of the Lord.

We reached the temple by 11 am and joined the queue. The temple was huge and magnificent, with 21 towers and seven enclosures. We passed through several gates and halls, admiring the architecture and artistry. Finally, we reached the main hall where the deity was placed on a golden palanquin. The sight was breathtaking: a reclining Lord Ranganatha with his consort Goddess Lakshmi on his chest, surrounded by flowers and lamps. The priests performed Arthi (waving of lamps) and offered prasad (sacred food) to the deity. The devotees sang along with them and felt a divine connection with the Lord.

We spent some more time in the temple complex, exploring its various shrines and attractions. We saw Ramanujacharya’s body, which is preserved with Turmeric since 1137 AD. He was another great saint and scholar of Sri Vaishnavism who revived the glory of the Srirangam temple. We also visited other temples dedicated to different forms of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

We had lunch at Appakuduthan temple, which is famous for its appams (sweet rice pancakes) offered as prasad. They were soft and tasty, and we relished them with coconut milk.

In the afternoon, we went to a sports center nearby where we had some fun activities like archery, trampoline, and Body Zoby (a game where you wear inflatable suits and bump into each other). We laughed and enjoyed ourselves like kids.

The next day, we visited some more temples around Srirangam. We went to Pundarikaksha temple, Anbil, and Nachiyar temple. These were smaller but equally beautiful temples with their own history and legends.

In the evening, we went to Butterfly Park, a lovely place where we saw hundreds of colorful butterflies flying around us. We also learned about their life cycle and conservation efforts.

At night, we got some gifts from the camp host. We even learned one thing. How to go to Srirangam easily. We have to face the direction of Srirangam and walk three steps. I did not make this up. Lord Ram himself told this to Vibhishan.  Then after learning this we had to get back home.

But my adventure was not over yet. My father and I decided to extend my trip for two more days and visit some more places nearby. I went to Thanjavur to see Brihadeshwara temple, one of the largest temples in India built by the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brihadeshwara temple is one of the largest temples in India built by the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Chola art and architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a towering vimana (shrine tower) that is 216 feet (66 m) high. The temple also has a massive Nandi (bull) statue made of a single rock, which is 13 feet (4 m) high and 16 feet (5 m) long. The temple has many sculptures, paintings, inscriptions, and frescoes that depict the glory of the Chola empire and its patronage of Shaivism.

I was awestruck by the grandeur and beauty of the temple. I spent a few hours exploring its various features and admiring its craftsmanship. I also learned about its history and significance from a guide who explained the details of the temple. I felt a sense of reverence and wonder as I stood before the majestic Shiva Linga (a symbolic representation of Shiva) in the main sanctum.

After visiting the temple, I had lunch at a nearby restaurant and then took a bus to Arichal Munai, the southernmost tip of India. It is also known as Dhanush Kodi, which means “bow’s end” in Tamil. It is believed that Lord Rama built a bridge from here to Sri Lanka with the help of his army of monkeys to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

The place was serene and scenic, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other. I enjoyed the view of the blue waters and the white sand. I also saw some fishermen and pilgrims who come here to offer prayers and perform rituals.

On my way back, I stopped at Rameswaram, a holy town that houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (self-manifested shrines) of Lord Shiva. It is also one of the four sacred places (Char Dham) that every Hindu should visit in their lifetime. I visited the Rameswaram temple, which is an architectural marvel with 22 wells that have water with different tastes and properties. I also visited the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Museum, which showcases the life and achievements of India’s former president and scientist.

I was filled with inspiration and admiration for his vision and values. I also bought some souvenirs from his memorial shop.

Then the next day we went to Thiru Palani Adi Jagannath temple in Ramanathpuram. This was the place where Ram did Dasharatha's last rites. Finally, I returned to Bengaluru, feeling enriched and enlightened by my trip to Srirangam and its surroundings. It was a memorable experience that I will cherish forever.

At the end of this blog, I would like to thank my Guru. for giving me such  an opportunity to have journey through Bhulok Vaikuntha that is Srirangam. Due to his grace, I could make many great friends. I would even like to thank my parents for sending me on such a trip. I would like to thank my father to take me to Tanjore, Ramanathpuram and Danushkodi.