Guest guest Report post Posted March 9, 1995 Could we come up with a yearly fund drive or some other plan to collect money and send to temples in India? I know there are more temples like this that need attention and we cant let them down. Let us face it. These temples cannot be left alone to wither. Our next generation will definitely loose the identity and the appreciation. -- T. Ramjee All opinions expressed are mine and Lehman Brothers do not reflect that of my employer 3 World Financial Center NY, NY 10285 Ph: (212) 526-1759 ----------------------------- Note follows ----------------------------- Thu, 9 Mar 95 12:40:53 CST siyengar (Sudarshan Iyengar H3-378) Message-Id: <9503091840.AA05421 prapatti Tiruvarangam Temple Hello Bhaktas, On my recent trip to India I had the opportunity of visiting several temples in TN. One of them is Tiruvarangam in South Arcot District. I am writing this note to appeal to devotees to support the reconstruction effort which is well underway, of this very old temple. This is Lord Ranganatha's temple on the banks of the river Pinakini. This is close to Tirukoilur which is the place where the 3 Alwars met in the darkness. The idol of Sri Ranganatha (the sleeping posture) is similar to that at Srirangam but much bigger. The main idol is extremely striking in appearance and I was amazed at the sheer size. There is a Sri RAmar sannadhi which has a unique idol of Anjaneyar in the "vinayam" posture. (Four fingers of the right hand on the lower chin, looking deeply in admiration at the Lord). There is a thayyar sannadhi and the other sannadhis are under renovation (listed below). There is a reasonably big prAkAram which also houses a big granary which looks it's age. The calm and tranquil atmosphere is in sharp contrast to the commercial scene prevalent at most other temples. One can reach this place by bus from Tirukovilur or take a shorter route by private vehicle which includes a bare-foot wade through ankle-deep river water. The entire setting is very idyllic. (Tirukovilur has the famous Ulagalanda Perumal or Vamana Avatara Temple) There is a reconstruction effort going on, managed by local devotees who are struggling to meet financial demands. The Govt. is not very supportive and the burden lies entirely on private donations. I was requested by the caretaker one Sri Sampath to spread the word of this beautiful temple and request devotees in this country to help. Here are the details of the temple as provided by Sri Sampath :: ----------- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tiruvarangam, South Arcot District, Tamil-Nadu. ---------- Name of the Deity : Sri Ranganathaswamy Name of the Goddess: Sri Ranganayaki Place: Tiruvarangam on the banks of Dakshina Pinakini near Tirukovilur. Area of the Temple : About 4 acres. Legendary and Historical information: This place was known as "Krishnaranyam" in legends and God who has manifested as Sri Ranganathaswamy was responsible for the destruction of Somagasura and initiating Brahma into Vedic lore. For the later reason, the vimAnA above the Sanctom-Sanctorum was named "Chandomaya vimAnA". (Chandas = Vedic metre). This tirtha is also known as Chandra Pushkarani, as Lord Chandra got his form restored fully by this holy stAnam. The dialogue between Uma and Maheshwara in the Uttara Kanda of the Skantha Purana deals with the importance of this shrine. In historical times, the temple was initially constructed by later-Cholas and presumably renovated by the Vijayanagar Royal house. Renovation already completed: Weathering course completed, front wall constructed and a small tower erected in 1970-75 at an approximate cost of One Lakh rupees by Sri N.D.Bangur of Calcutta. Electrification and Anointment (Thaila-abhishegam) of the main deity with sandal-oil was also done by him. Renovation work being completed: Sri Vedanta Desikar Sannadhi Sri Viswakshenar Sannadhi Sri Andal Sannadhi Sri Krishnan Sannadhi Sri Raman Sannadhi Vaikunta Vasal Vimanam Vahana Mantapa, Pakamaligai Sri Varadarajar Swami Sannadhi Renovation work to be undertaken: Main Sanctum-Sanctorum-Vimanas, flooring and Rajagopuram. The "Mahasamprokshanam" is to be done sometimes soon. ---------- ---------- I personally request you to contribute whatever you can to this renovation effort. We need to preserve as many of these divya-desams as possible to retain much of it's religious, historical, architectural and spiritually-uplifting heritage. If you would like to help -- please make checks payable to "Sri Ranganathaswamy Kainkarya Sabha" and they can be mailed directly to: V. Sampath Kumar No. 14, Vanamamalai Street, Tirukovilur - 605757 Tamil Nadu India. Or if you prefer, you can mail them to me and I can collectively mail all checks to him. My address is : Sudarshan Iyengar 3524 Greystone Dr. #189 Austin, Texas 78731. A hand written (typed!) thank you is certainly not enough to convey appreciation for the bhaktas' support and desire to do kainkaryam for the temple. Each of you should try and visit this temple the next time you visit TN. (about 3-1/2 hours drive from Madras) and spend atleast one day to feel the spiritual ambience of the place. heartfelt thanks, yours in the service of the Lord, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar, -sudarshan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
