Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - Srirangapatna, Srirangapatna - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

At a distance of 500 m from Srirangapatna Railway Station, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple situated in Srirangapatna is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped here as Ranganatha. Located inside the Srirangapatna Fort on the banks of the Kaveri River, it is one of the largest temples in Karnataka, among the top tourist places to visit as part of Srirangapatna tour packages. The temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.

Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in South India and among the prime places to visit in Srirangapatna. The temple is one of the Pancharanga Kshetras, the other four being Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam, Sarangapani Temple of Kumbakonam, Appakudathan Temple of Trichy, and the Parimala Ranganathaswamy Temple of Mayiladuthurai. Srirangapatna is also known as Aadi Rangam, Srirangam as Anthya Rangam and Sivasamudram in Karnataka as Madhyarangam. It can also be visited along with Mysore tour packages.

History of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

As recorded in historical accounts, the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple was constructed on an existing shrine by Thirumalaraya in 894 AD, who served as a vassal under the Western Ganga dynasty. In the early 12th century, the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana bestowed the village of Srirangapatna upon the Vaishnava saint Ramanujacharya, designating it as an agraharam. An inscription from the notable Hoysala King Veera Ballala II, dated 1210 CE, attests to the enhancements and restorations undertaken at the temple during that period. The edifice features elaborate carvings that reflect the architectural styles of the Vijayanagara Dynasty and the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore. Additionally, this temple was held in high esteem by both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Mythology

According to mythology, The River Cauvery accumulated all the sins from the devotees who took a holy dip in the river. Cauvery undertook severe penance and sought the help of Lord Vishnu. The Lord was pleased with her devotion and appeared here in the form of Ranganatha. On seeing the Lord, Cauvery fell at his feet and was relieved of the accumulated sins. Hence one can see Goddess Cauvery at the feet of Sri Ranganathaswamy in this temple.

Architecture of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The temple showcases remarkable architecture that harmoniously combines elements of Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles. It features an impressive tower and is encircled by two expansive Prakarams surrounding the sanctum. A mandapa, adorned with exquisitely carved pillars, provides access to the main shrine. The temple complex also includes two additional halls, one being the mukhamandapa and the other a sukhanasi. The roof of the mukhamandapa is embellished with a garland of miniature decorative towers, known as 'kudu' and 'sala' shikharas, which house stucco representations of Lord Vishnu.

Within the sanctum lies the idol of Lord Vishnu, depicted reclining on the seven-headed Adishesha, with his consort Lakshmi positioned at his feet. This statue is recognized as the largest representation of Vishnu in a reclining posture in Karnataka. Additionally, there is a distinct shrine dedicated to Goddess Ranganayaki, the consort of Lord Ranganatha. The complex also contains several smaller shrines devoted to Narasimha, Gopalakrishna, Srinivasa, Hanuman, Garuda, and the Alwar saints.

Festivals of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, located in Srirangapatna, hosts a variety of festivals annually. Among the most significant are Bangarada Garudotsava, Sriranga Jayanti, Sudha Poornima, and Uyyalotsava. These events attract large numbers of pilgrims from various regions of the country, all coming to receive blessings during the festivities.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Dress Code & Other Restrictions

The dress code for the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, Karnataka is a shirt and pants, dhoti and shirt for men, and a saree, half saree, or chudidhar for women.

According to current practices, non-Hindus are generally not allowed inside the sanctum of the Srirangapatna temple; however, they may be permitted to access the outer areas of the temple complex.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Timings

Monday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 7 AM - 1:30 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special darshan is available at Rs. 250

Best Time to Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The best time for visiting the Srirangapatna temple is from October to March, as the winter months offer pleasant weather, which is conducive for exploring the temple complex. Summer is generally not recommended for visits, and the monsoon season often brings heavy rainfall that can disrupt plans. However, the post-monsoon months of September and October present an excellent opportunity to witness the River Kaveri in its full splendor, enhancing the overall experience.

Throughout the year, the temple attracts numerous devotees, resulting in long queues almost daily. However, it becomes extremely crowded on weekends and during festival celebrations.

How to Reach Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Public transportation is available from Mysore to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, located approximately 16 kilometers away. The Srirangapatna Railway Station is situated directly behind the temple complex, allowing devotees to conveniently walk from the station to the temple.