Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna in Karnataka is
located on an island formed by two branches of Cauvery River. The presiding
deity worshipped in the temple is known as Ranganathaswamy – Vishnu in
reclining position. The temple is around 13 km north of Mysore.
The oldest inscription regarding the temple dates back to
894 AD. It is believed that Tirumalaya, a subordinate king of the Ganga dynasty, built
the shrine and named the town Srirangapura.
Additions to the temple were made during the successive
centuries by Hoysala kings, Vijayanagara rulers and Wodeyars of Mysore.
Ranganathaswamy Temple is built in Dravidian style and faces
east. A seventy foot tall gopura envelopes the gateway.
The main murti worshipped in the temple is that of Sri Ranganathaswamy
in a reclining posture on the coils of seven-hooded serpent Ananta. Goddess Lakshmi, who is known as Ranganayaki, sits near his feet.
There are two huge dwarapalaka sculptures guarding the
doorway to the assembly hall, which has neatly cut granite pillars typical of
Hoysala architecture.
There are numerous subsidiary shrines in the temple which
houses murtis of Sri Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Gopalakrishna, Sudarshana and
Lord Vithoba.
The important festivals in the temple are Laksha Deepotsava or
Makara Sankranthi Brahmotsava in Pushya month (January), Ratha Saptami
Brahmotsava in Magh month, Magh Purnima, Sriranga Jayanti in Vaishakh month, and
Uyyalotsava in Ashada month.
Srirangapatna Ranganathaswamy Temple Contact Address :
Executive Officer,
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple,
Srirangapatna - 571 438
Mandya District
E-Mail : eosriranganathaswamytemple @ gmail.com