Uniqueness of Srirangam Temple

Built over 156 acres of land, Srirangam Temple is the largest temple in India, housing a town within its complex. Though built during the Chola Dynasty in the ninth century C.E, it was expanded by several kingdoms ranging from the Hoysalas, Pandyas, the rulers of Vijaynagar & finally the Nayaks. It has the reputation of having the maximum number of watchtowers/ towers (gopurams) numbering 21, including the second largest temple tower in India. Seven compound walls encircle the temple, the majority of the town lives within these walls. Yet another unique feature is the main idol of the temple faces the South, in the direction of Sri Lanka. What makes this temple complex so fascinating are the brilliantly embellished multi colored carvings on every nook & corner of these towers. Many reasons are attributed for these decorated towers on compound walls ranging from rulers wanting to flaunt their wealth by spending lavish amounts of money for carving & sculpting to acting as a `guiding light' on these large tracts of open land. Revered by devotees as the most sacred of the 108 shrines of Hindu God, Vishnu, the Ranganathaswamy Temple should be skipped at your own peril!