About

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu in the avatar of Ranganatha and thus the town gets its name from here. located in historic town Srirangapatna Inside the Srirangapatna Fort, the temple is situated on the banks of Kaveri River. This beautiful ancient temple situated about 14 km from Mysore, 5 km from Sri Nimishambha Temple, 3.5 km from Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, 18 km from Brindavan Gardens, 36 km from Somanathapura, and 125 km. from Bangalore.

Inside the temple, the Lord's idol can be seen in resting posture on a bed of serpent known as Aadi Sesha. It is said that the Aadi Sesha has seven heads. According to the people, the idol of the deity of this temple is one of the biggest idols of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture. Also, the main goddess of this sacred place is Ranganayaki. The carvings and the structure of the temple are really captivating. Depicting an example of Hoysala architectural style, the entrance of the temple has beautifully crafted pillars with 24 forms of Lord Vishnu. Moreover, the temple’s Prakaram can be seen painted with a number of arranged mythological stories.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – History

The Place Srirangpatna had the name of the Srirangapuri in the early ages later it got the name of the Srirangapatna. The town is an island being surrounded by the river Cauvery. In this town, there is a temple of sriranganatha. Sri Lakshinarasimha, Sri Gangadereshwara, Sri Jyothirmaheshwara, and other small temples. Among them the main temple is that of Sri Ranganatha. The inner apartment of SriRanganatha temple was built in 817 A.D by a lady by name Hambi, of the class of dancers in the yea ar 894 A.D. When a king of the Ganga dynasty was the ruler, a person by name Thirumalaraya got constructed the Navaranga mantap and the temple of Lord Thirumala(Srinivasa) at the left side portion of the great Mahadwara. In the year 1117 A.D when Sri Ramanuja came to this part after escaping from the chole country here a join by name Hoysala Bittideva was the ruler, Sri Ramanuja got him converted to a Vaishnava and named him Vishnuvardhana. 

Sri Ramanuja got from this ruler much wealth and the lands of eight villages. He nominated certain office bearers named as prabhus or Hebbars to administer over the service of the lord in the year 1454 A.D. Then the hebbar Thimmanna by name went to Vijayanagara and became an official called as Dayanayaka in the court of the king of Vijayanagara. He returned from Vijayanagara and got constructed the fort for the town and the big wall for the temple and the big gate in front. Later the town of Srirangapatna came under the direct control of the Vijayanagara King. One of the representatives of these kings, Sri Ranganatha by name enlarged the town and got constructed the inner prakara in the temple five steps at the big gate and 2 stone elephants on both sides. 

His wife Alumelamma was a great devotee and righteous women. A good number of ornaments were made by her, and they would be made to be worn by the Goddess on every Tuesday and Friday.Alumelamma would have a darshan of the Goddess with ornaments on. Srirangaraya began to suffer much from a wound in the back, so he could not look after the administration of the state. He had no Children. As then the Mysore king was efficient he sent word for the Mysore King Sri Rajawaderyar and gave over the administration of the kingdom to him. He then retired to Malangi near Talakad and ended his life there after some time. Even after the death of Sri Rangaraya the practice of putting the ornaments to the Goddess on Tuesday and Friday continued . One Friday Shri Raja wodeyar came to the temple for darshan. On learning the ornaments would be returned to alumelamma after the end of the day, Sri Raja wodeyar insisted that they should not be returned to her but should b eon the Goddess at all time. 

But by this time, Alumelamma had not returned some ornaments. Sri Raja wodeyar demanded her of these ornaments. Alumelamma thought it would be unwise to stay there and sitting on a rode away to Talakad. Some soldiers followed her. In order to escape from them she jumped into the deep water of Cuvery near Malangy uttering a curse that Talakad should become very deep water and the Mysore Kings should have no children. Immediately the Malangi became very deep. And around it great sandy desert arose. The Soldiers could not find her out.Even now one can see that Talakad is in the midst of a great sandy area and that Malangy water are very deep. 

On hearing the curse uttered by Alumelamma and her ending at Talakadu.Sri Raja wodeyar became greatly grieved and arranged the construction of an idol of Alumelamma in his place and offered to worship magnificently on a large scale during Dasara. This custom has continued even to the present day. One can see the idols of Sri Rangaraya and Alumelamma near the Dwarapalakas in the temple. One of the ornaments given by Alumelamma the jewel for the nose, can be seen even now. This jewel is said is as big as lime fruit, but has been gradually decreasing in size. From the year 1610 to 1799 town of Srirangapatna was the capital of the Mysore state.In the year 1761 the Mysore King Sri Krishna Raja wodeyar appointed on Hyder Ali as the commander in chief. Hyder it is said was a great devotee to Lord Ranganatha, would appear to him in dreams and see him. Before Hyder would undertake any arduous task he would take the approval of the God --is told which brings out the devotions of Hyder and the greatness of Lord Ranganatha. Once when a enemies troop had entered into the border of the Mysore territory. Hyder started with an army to oppose the enemies in the fight. The enemies were having the upper hand and the Hyder’s army was between the river Godavary, on one hand and the enemy troops on the other. Hyder was confused and despondent. At the critical moment he prayed to Lord Ranganatha. Immediately the river Godavary dried up, so that the Mysore army could safely cross the river. when the enemy troop followed them the Godavary was in floods, so that enemies could not cross the river. Hyder now returned safely with his army to Srirangapatna and once again after offering prayers to the Lord, he started with his army to oppose the enemies and returned successfully. 

This incident brings out well the great devotion of Hyder Ali towards Lord Ranganatha and the greatness of the Lord. Every year in the month of Dhanur from the twenty-first onwards grand utsavas to the Lord were being called as the Kotarothsava for these celebrations a big Kothara was got constructed and during the days of the utsavas there it would be made to have a very magnificent appearance. By costly grabs bright lights and the green such a decorated Mantapa would be called the Kotara Mantap or the Ranga Mahal. During Kotarothsava each day the seva would be done by a royal family on a ninth day, the seva would be done by Maharaja when God would have the Mohini Alanakar. 

Music by reputed musicians would be arranged. Dancing also would be had. To witness the utsava many people including Maharaja Hyder and people of the Royal family and Hyder Zanana people would gather in the temple. In the year 1774 A.D when the Kotarothsava was being celebrated on the eighth day all of a sudden a fire caused a little danger. The Maharaja was grieved by the mishap. In order to please him and see that no inconvenience was greatly caused to the ustava. Hyder instantly ordered workmen to construct a stone mantap at the very same place. The next day the new mantap was ready by the time the ustava had to commence. the new mantap got the name of pathala mantap form then onwards. the Kotharothsava now are being celebrated in the Pathala Mantap. 

After the death of Hyder in 1782 A.D his son Tippu became the commander in chief within a very short time. Tippu drove the king out and became the sultan himself. Then Mummadi Krishna Raja wodeyar was only five years old. In order to protect him from the Muslim, he was closed in the fifth floor of the temple tower. Tippu came to power one of his courtiers, Mir Saqiq by name became a Prominent person in his court court and he got ruled a number of temple. Such as that of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy and Gangadhara Swamy. On seeing that the temple were got destroyed some of the authorities of the temple protected their Gods by putting on roots similar to that of houses for their temples. one of such temple is that of Sri Janaradhana swamy in the Poornaiah street in the town. 

The archaka of some other smaller temples in the town brought the idols secretly to the Ranganatha temple and installed them within the big walls of the temples. such idols are those of Lord Krishna, Sri Pattabhi Rama and Sri Gopala Krishna playing on the flute. All these idols are quite handsome ones giving a feast to the eyes of the onlookers. However, no one dared to cause any damage to the Sri Ranganatha temple as Hyder had been interested in it. during his lifetime. 

In the fight with English, Tippu was defeated by them. He had to play a large sum of money as a tribute to the English. But he had no sufficient money with him. He, therefore, took some valuable ornaments from the temple and gave them to the English. Later some of the ornaments went into the hands of French which later went to the Russian and which can see even now in Kremlin. The remaining ornaments was that of Lord Ranganatha. There were considered to be a donation of Tippu. On them are carved as donated by Tippu Sultan. 

When Srirangapatna fell into the hands of English in 1799 A.D Mummadi Krishnaraja wodeyar made Mysore as his capital and appointed Poornaiah as his Dewan this king continued to get done Pooja on the 9th day of the Kotharothasava according to the usual practice. Not only his, he got created a Mantap in his birthplace and arranged for the Processions of the Lord to the Mantap. Later fourth Krishnaraja Wadeyar got constructed the Sri Chamrajajendra memorial Choultry in memory of his father that he got constructed a flight of steps to Cauvery so that the people might easily get down to the river this place is called the Rajghat. The mantap which was originally constructed by the Mummadi Krishnaja Wodeyar was enlarged and around it, a garden of flower and thulasi was got up for the use of Lord’s worship. The Lord would be taken in a procession to this mantap on the birthday of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar Viz the Ashada, Bahula, Bidige. The celebrations on that day would be called Sakkare Pongal ustava. After Sri Jayachamarajendra wodeyar came to the throne these ustavas were being celebrated even up to 1953-54 and on the day of the ustavas that was being done in memory of the mummadi King the Courtiers vidwans and other important persons of the Palace would attend the celebrations. 

Thus the town of Srirangapatna with its glorious temples is a great pilgrimage center. It is learned that originally Lord rested looking towards the east. And his face directed upwards with a little space left between the hand and the head. This change in the position of the Lord is very well witnessed by the pilgrims and can be announced by the description of the sages in the past would.

ord Ranganatha then was worshiped by the Cauvery and he took the form of an idol resting on Shree adishesha. Sri Lakshmi visited the sacred idol of Lord along with Cauvery and realized the greatness of the Great Lord. She then took bath in the sacred river and after worshiping the Lord took the form of an idol on the South East side of the Lord. Realizing the Spiritual Sacredness of the place God Brahma, Rudra And others came there and worshiped Lord. Lord Bramha built temples for r the God and the Goddess.All the devas worshiped the Lord Bramha preached the Pancharathna method of worship to Narada in order to worship Lord Ranganatha. 

The words of Bramha to Narada on the sacredness of this place are notable. No other place in the whole universe is sequel in sacredness to this place.this as the most scared among all the Kshetras. A place equal to this place was never found in the past, will never be found in the future. Once there was a terrible famine in the country and the Rishis found it very difficult to get water for bathing etc., they went in search of a suitable place for their ablution etc. On their way, they came back to the hermitage of Sri Gowthama. On the bank of the river Godavari, Gowthama felt greatly pleased with the arrival of the rushis and welcoming them requested them to remain in his ashrama for some time more. they did so, on his way to river Godavari Gowthama sowed the paddy seeds in the fields with the help of his disciples. He returned from the river after his ablution by his disciples brought the corn, which had already grown and after removing the husk of the corn got a delicious meal prepared for them and served them with it. 

On seeing such a good feat served to them some of the Rushis became Jealous of him. Thought of driving away Gowthama from the hermitage so that they might settle themselves there the next day, they created a cow and by the power of their tapas and made her graze the corn in the field. Gowthama on his returning to the hermitage from the river saw the .cow and asked his disciples to drive it away, the disciples did so., The cow ran to Gowthama and fell dead at his feet. The Rushis now loudly cried out that Gowthama killed the cow. Gowthama realized that this was the work of the rushis and pronounced a curse on them that they would become very evil and cruel people not following the Vedic path. 

After this incident, he went on a pilgrimage. On his way he reached Sri Rangam meditated on Sri Ranganatha of that place the Lord appeared visible before him and said that there at Sri Rangam he was being served by Vibhishana and that Gowthama night go to that sacred place, where Adiranga had established him self. Accordingly Gowhtamma went in search of this place told him by Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam. On his way he had darshan of the River Thamaraparni, the Mahendra mountain, the SahYadri hills and the birth place of Cauvery. Then being accompanied by a number of Rushis he came to the place told him by the Lord of Srirangam. 

There once when he was narrating to the rushis abount the glory and greatness of Lord Ranganatha by accident a group of rishis such as Bodhayana. Atri, Yagnyavalkya, Kanva, Shuka, Parashara etc came there, Gowthama became very happy on their arrival and welcomed them all. Now all the rushis with the leadership of Gowthama performed a sacrifice worshipping, Ranganatha pleased by the sacrifice appeared visible before them and blessed them. He told gowthama that he was in the form of an idol in an ant hill in the nearby grove to thulasi.

Accordingly, Gowthama entered into the Thulasi grove and evoked the Gods Brahma, Rudra, Indra etc and the sacred heavenly cow Kamadhenu. All rushis and the gods saw the bigant hill in the thulasi grove and prostrated before it. The ant hill drenched and removed by the milk of Kamadhenu and all the devotees had a darshan of the Lord in a very auspicious moment as stated in the following sentences. They had a darshan of Lord Ranganatha in the month Mesha, Shukla paksha Spthami Saturday. After adoring the Gods Vishwaksena, Garuda, Chakra etc. had a darshan of the Goddess Ranganayaki in the south east (Vayuvya) part. Then making a Pradakshina of the place then came the Garbhagriha of the temple and had a darshan of the Great Lord. 

Lord Ranganatha being rested on Adhishesh, with his right arm carry his Head, his left arm being stretched having Goddess Lakshmi in this chest and his feet being adored by the Goddess Cauvery. His face shone with great splendor, Gowthama and the Gods,Brahma, Rudra etc praised the Lord. The Lord was pleased with this praise and told Gowthama that the place would be called after him as Gowthama Kshetra and the temple called asBrahmananda Vimana. Later Gowthama learnt from narada the Pancharathna method of worship and worshiped the Lord. The day on which Gowthama first worshiped the Lord is even now being celebrated every Year as the Sri Ranga jayanthi. On the day the celebrations begin with Abhishekha in the early morning and then the Vairagi Seva which is a feast for the eyes. Gowthama puja, Mahamangalarathi will be done. In the night there will be a grand procession of the Lord bearing splendorous Sri Rangamudi. 

From the next day, Gowthama with the other rushis commenced the Sri Ranga Sapthaha which lasted for a week on the last day the lord being mounted on garuda appeared before them. Even today this day is being celebrated by having garudothsavam which is a grand feast for the eyes. The rushis who had accompanied Gowthama to this place decided to stay here alone being fascinated by the sacredness of the place. The month of thula commenced. During this month the Ganges is supposed to exist in the Cauvery to purify herself of the sins got from persons. 

They intended to give a hollowness to the place during the Thula month and prayed to God for that purpose. The Lord consented to the request of the rushis and graced them by saying that a bath in the Ashtathirtha on the Dasami day on the Thula month gives the devotees their desires as well as moksha. A three day stay on the banks of the river Ganges, a Five days stay on the banks of the river Yamuna or a more dip in the Cauvery removes the evils of a person. Persons living in places where the wind of the Cauvery blows attain moksha. The darshan of the river is sacred and removes the evils. So it is doubtless that a bath in the charity in the Gowthama kshethra give ever Cauvery lasting results.

festivals and utsavas in Ranganathaswamy Temple Srirangapatna

1) Laksha Deepotsava (Makara Sankranthi Brahmotsava):

In the temple of Shri Ranganatha Swamy every year in the pushya month Makara Sankranthi Brahmotsava will be celebrated. On the sixth auspicious (Thirunal) day of Brahmotsava on account of Uttarayana (Auspicious Day) the Vaikunta door of the temple will be kept open for the devotees. On this auspicious day in the morning the deity of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be fully decorated with butter. In the night the God will be dressed with Vaikuntamudi crown. Then the utsava of Shriranganatha S   more

2) Ratha Sapthami Brhmotsava

Every year on Shukla Sapthami in magha masa the Dodda Rathothsava (big chariot festival) of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be celebrated. The festival commences with Ankurarpane, hoisting of Rathosava flag followed by different Uthsava in the night inside the premises of Shri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. On the 5th auspicious day (Thirunal) reading of Prahladotsava Purana (story) are conducted. On the 6th auspicious Day (Thirunal) Gajendra Moksha Utsava will be performed. On 7th day morning at 6   more

3) Magha Shuddha Poornima:

In this holy temple of Shri Ranganatha Swamy there is a importance for taking bath in the Cauvery river on the full moon (Pournime) day of Magha month. On this day thousands of devoted from different places visit the temple and take a holy dip (Punya Snana) in Cauvery river and get the darshan of Shri Ranganatha Swamy. On this day special seva termed as Pushpangi seva as well as other sevasare performed to Venktaramana Swamy located in the inner parka of the temple.

4) Shriranga Jayanthi:

Shriranga Jayanthi is considered to be one of the important festivals in Shri Ranganatha Swamy temple. This festival is celebrated on Sapthami day during Vaishaka Shuddha (Some time the festival is celebrated on chaitra Shuddha Sapthami). Ranga Jayanthi is celebrated every year on the day on which Shri Ranganatha Swamy ensconce here. On account of Shri Ranganatha Jayanthi in the morning special ritual baths will be offered to Shriranganatha Swamy and Shri Ranganayaki followed by Arishin   more

5) Uyyalotsava:

Uyyalotsava will be celebrated to Lord Shrirangatha swamy with pomp for five days starting from Prathama Ekadashi of Ashada Masa (month). On the sixth and seventh day Uyyalotsava will be celebrated to Goddess Shri Ranganayaki and Shri Krishna Swamy respectively.

6) Vedanthacharya Thirunakshathra:

Vedanthacharya Thirunakshathra is celebrated either on “Shuddha Shravana Nakshatra” in Bhadrapada or Shuddha Shravana Nakshatra in Ashwija Masa. On this occasion in the proximity of Vedantha Deshika Upanishads, special types of poojas, uthsavas will be held for 11 days. After this Gandhapudi uthsava will be performed with grandeur.

7) Nava Rathri:

Nava Rathri festival is celebrated for 9 days. This festival starts from Shuddha Padya in Ashwayuja month. During these nine days special types of Poojas, festivals, Homa, Yaga (lighting of sacred fire) along with sacred offerings will be performed. On the Ayudha Pooja day palanquin, uthsava will be performed to Shri Ranganatha Swamy taking procession in the main roads of Srirangapattana. On Vijayadashami day the festival will culminate by performing Shammi Pooja for the Shammi tree wh   more

8) Bangarada (Golden) Garudotsava:

This festival will be celebrated on pournami (full moon day) day in Vaishaka masa. On this festive occasion the idol of god Garuda Measuring about eight feet height with plated gold will be fully decorated with flowers. Then the decorated deity of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be seated on the Garuda and the procession will be taken in the main roads of Srirangapattana. This festival is celebrated with ardent belief that Shri Mannarayana used to bless and his presence to sages, devotees wh   more

9) Ashta Theertotsava:

On the Banks of Cauvery river in Shrirangapatana there are 8 important holy water streams. These holy water streams are as follows

1. Sambedaka (Shambhu Teertha) Teertha in the East Side
2. Moksha Theertha in the South East side
3. Brighu Theertha in the right side of South East direction
4. Galava Theertha in the middle of the flow of Cauvery river in the direction of south and west.
5. Palasha Theertha in the west direction
6. Bilwa Theertha in the northeast direction.
7. Shukha Theertha (Rasala Theertha) at the bottom of the feet Shree Ranganatha Swamy
8. KadambaTheertha in the north direction.

It is believed that great sages had performed penance near these eight streams of water to get the blessings of God Shri Ranganatha Swamy. On Dashami in Ashwija masa every year (or Shuddha dashami in Karnataka month) Ashta Teerthotsava will be celebrated. On this day AT 7:00 AM in the morning the deity of Ranganatha Swamy will be seated in a silver palanquin(silver Pallakki) and will be taken in a procession to these 8 holy places. After performing ritual bath at each place the procession reaches temple around 8:00 PM covering a distance of around 32 Kms. On this auspicious day thousands of devotees accompany the procession and take holy dip in these 8 holy water streams and get the darshana of God Shri Ranganatha Swamy.

10) Pushpa Brindavanotsava:

Pushpa Brindavanotsava will be celebrated every year on Shuddha Dwadashi during Karthika masa (month). It is very attractive festival and very dearer to Shri Ranganatha Swamy. An artificial Brindavana made of wood is decorated with Chrysanthemum flowers and other types. Later the decorated deity of Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be seated on Brindavan. The deity will be taken in procession along the main roads of Srirangapattana. The importance of this festival is to signify the love of L   more

11) Jeeyar Thirunakshathra:

Jeeyar Thirunakshathra is celebrated on Moola Nakshathra day in Shuddha Karthika masa. This festival is celebrated for eleven days. During these eleven days special types of poojas, parayana and ritual baths will be offered to the deity. Along with the festival deity of Jeeyar, Gandha Pudi Uthsava will be performed to Shree Ranganatha Swamy.

12) Kotarotsava:

Kotarotsava is celebrated in the temple on Marghashiramasa (month) from 4th January to 13th January every year. During these ten days every day special decorations (Alankara) will be done to Shriranganatha Swamy and Kotarotsava is celebrated. Every day during the Kotarothsava Vedas are read. Also during Kotarotsava Shri Ranganatha Swamy will be decorated with Mohini alankar, Vaikunta Narayana Alankar. Besides during this festival the idols of Shri Jeeyar, Shri Deshikar will be taken in   more

13) Ugadi:

On this day ritual bath and special pooja will be offered to both the deities of Shri Ranganatha Swamy and Shri Ranganayaki.

14) Kodai Thirunal:

This festival will be celebrated for days from panchami in Shuddha Chaitra.

15) Shri Nammalvar Thirunakshathra:

Shri Nammalvar Thirunakshathra will be celebrated for eleven days during vaishaka masa (month) or jeshta (month)

16) Shri Narasimha Jayanathi:

Narasimha Jayanthi will be celebrated on Chaturdashi in Shuddha Vaishaka masa.

17) Ashada Shuddha Pouranami:

On this day Pushpangi seva will be celebrated to Shree Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy in which is located in inner prakara of the temple.

18) Cauvery Pooja:

Cauvery Pooja is celebrated during Ashada Masa in Krishna Paksha. On this occasion the festival deity of Ranganatha Swamy will be taken in a procession to the banks of kavery river and special poojas will be offered to Cauvery River. Also there is a system of offering gift (bagina) to Cauvery river on this occasion.

19) Andal ThiruNakshatra:

Andal ThiruNakshatra is performed on Shuddha Bidige or thadige on Pubba Nakshatra day in Shravana Masa.

20) Pavithrotsava:

Pavithrotsava will be celebrated for five days starting from Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapadha masa (month)

21) Deepavali:

During Deepavali festival, special ritual baths will be offered to both Shri Ranganatha Swamy as well as Shri Ranganayaki. Also, arishina seva (pasting of Turmeric paste) will be offered.

Dialy Sevas:

• Thulasi Archane INR 10/-
• Kunkumarchane INR 10/-
• Sahasranamarchane INR 20/-
• Vasthra Kanike INR 20/-
• Naghakanike INR 20/-
• Nivedana kanike INR 20/-
• Muladevara Abhisheka* INR 1000/-
  

Tips

• Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.
• No photography allowed inside but can carry the camera inside.
• Don't miss the beautiful sculptures on the chariot.
• you can do horse riding in 100 INR. and also the horses are healthy and with well build, there are good souvenir shops.
• There is ample space for car parking.
• Pay & Use Toilet next to Parking Area.
  

Timings