Srirangam is one of the eight self-manifested shrines of Lord Vishnu and one of the 108 Divyadesams. According to mythology, Brahma was performing austerities during the churning of the cosmic ocean, Srirangam Vimanam emerged as a result. This was given to Vibhishana by Lord Rama. As Vibhishana was passing through Trichy enroute to Sri Lanka, where he had become the King, the Vimanam would not move from the Island. So, he donated it to the local King called Dharma Varma, with the agreement that the Vimanam to face the South direction and stay there eternally.

As one walks into this temple, you can see the grandeur of the temple. The temple complex has seven “prakaras” or enclosures around the sanctum sanctorum.  It has 21 magnificent towers, each standing majestically towards the sky. These towers are carved with unique images depicting ancient stories related to the religion. The architecture is ornate and developed over centuries with contributions from various dynasties. This temple is situated on an island formed by the twin rivers Cauvery and Kolirdon (a tributary). This is the only temple with seven enclosures, a sacred symbolic number which represents the seven elements making up the human body.

The inner five enclosures of the complex constitute the temple, the outer two enclosures function as the settlement.  These homes have been passed on from one generation to the next, thus keeping the homes within the family. The temple is the nucleus and the life of the people is centered around it! These people wake up as early as 4:00 am, clean the stoop and create rangoli while chanting Vedic hymns. After their morning routines, they walk towards the temple and get Lord Ranganatha’s blessings. Oh! How melodies the chanting sounds!

There are many mandapams and one of the finest is a Hall with 900 pillars which are equally spaced pillars. Each pillar is carved with various figures and animals. There are many small shrines around the parameters of the temple.  Food is prepared at the temple and distributed to almost the entire town.

The wall of the Temple complex is painted with paintings using herbal and vegetable dyes. Imagine the technology used in these paintings ensuring a long life for generations/century to come.

This temple has been renovated to its original status, which took 16 months and completed in 2017. UNESCO has awarded this temple the Asian Pacific Award of Merit for cultural heritage conservation.