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{{Short description|Group of five Vishnu temples in South India}}
[[File:Ranganatha.jpg|thumb|Artistic representation of the deity Ranganatha.]]{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
The '''Pancharanga Kshetrams''' ({{Langx|sa|पञ्चरङ्ग क्षेत्रम्|lit=Five abodes/stages of Ranganatha|translit=Pañcaraṅga Kṣetram}}) or '''Pancharangams''' is a group of five sacred [[Hindu temples]], dedicated to [[Ranganatha]], a form of the deity [[Vishnu]], on the banks of the [[Kaveri|Kaveri River]]. The five Pancharanga Kshetrams in the order of their successive locations, on the banks of the Kaveri River are:

* The [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangapatna)|Srirangapatna]] called the Adi Rangam, the first temple on the banks of the Kaveri River from the upstream side;
* The [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Shivanasamudra|Shivanasamudra]] called The Madhya Ranga, Karnataka,
* The [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)|Srirangam]] (island in [[Tiruchirappalli]]) in [[Tamil Nadu]] known as Kasthuri Rangam or Anthya Rangam (the last temple),
* [[Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple|Appalarangam]] or [[Koviladi]] at Tiruppernagar in Tamil Nadu, [[Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple]] at Tiruindalur in [[Mayiladuthurai]] or Mayuram and Vatarangam near [[Sirkazhi]], also listed as Sri Renganatha Perumal Temple, Vadarengam, Tamil Nadu, 609108.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/vatarangam-seat-of-hari-and-haran/article28572968.ece | title= Vatarangam, seat of Hari and Haran | date=18 April 2003 | newspaper=The Hindu | access-date=10 December 2019 }}</ref>
* The [[Sarangapani temple]] at [[Kumbakonam]] is mentioned in place of Vatarangam in some references.<ref name="Kapoor2002">{{cite book|author=Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia: Timi-Vedic Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hVQUAQAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-280-5}}</ref>{{Sfn|Dalal|2011|page =339}}<ref name="Pancharanga Kshetrams">{{cite news |
title=''Pancharanga Kshetrams''|
work=Indiantemples |
url=http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/df012.html |
access-date= 2007-06-20}}</ref>

{{Location map+|Tamil Nadu|alt=Locations of the Pancharanga Kshetrams
|places=
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=12.4247|long=76.6797|label= Srirangapatna|position=top}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=12.2706|long=77.1696|label= Shivanasamudra|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=10.8628|long=78.6907|label= Srirangam|position=left}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=10.8392|long=78.8890|label= Appalarangam|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=10.9598|long=79.3753|label= Kumbakonam|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=11.1098|long=79.6481|label= Tiruindalur|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=11.2647|long=79.6529|label= Vadarengam|position=right}}
|caption=Temple locations|float=center|width=360}}

==Sri Ranganatha Temple, Srirangapatna==
{{main|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna}}
[[File:Gopura and prakara of Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on the island of Srirangapatna near Mysore in India.jpg|thumb|The temple of '''Ranganatha''' in Srirangapatna]]
Also known as Adiranga, the temple is located on the banks of the Kaveri in [[Srirangapatna]], Karnataka. This temple originally built in 894 CE by Tirumaliah of the Ganga Dynasty and legend accounts its founding to Sage Gautama.{{Sfn|Ayyar|1982|p=596}} The temple was expanded by the [[Hoysala]]s in the 11th century CE and subsequently by Vijayanagara kings.<ref name="Various2009">{{cite book|author=Various|title=Tourist Guide to Karnataka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hypasmfmVn4C&pg=PA46|year=2009|publisher=Sura Books|isbn=978-81-7478-062-1|page=46}}</ref><ref name=srptn>{{cite book|last=A.|first=Raman|title=Bangalore – Mysore: A Disha Guide|pages=105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cBDkVEmLf0cC&pg=PA105}}</ref> Ranganatha, the presiding deity of this temple, was honoured by the [[Muslim]] ruler [[Tipu Sultan]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/tiger_of_mysore_gallery.shtm Tiger of Mysore Gallery]{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} BBC</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Alqarzavi|first=Allama Yusuf|title=Islam: Muslims & Non Muslims|pages=54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ru3Ymarrg14C&pg=PA54}}</ref>

A Nayaka ruler who ruled over Srirangapatna built the fort there and also expanded the Sri Ranganatha Temple complex with the treasures he found there. His descendants ruled until 1495, when Srirangapatna was taken over by [[Vijayanagar Empire]]. One of the largest temples in Karnataka, it was built in three stages: the innermost part of the temple is said to date back to the Hoysala period;{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} the [[Gopuram]] was built in the [[Vijayanagara architecture|Vijaynagara architectural style]],<ref name="Various2009"/> and has six storeys, colourfully plastered and adorned with idols; and the main idol in the temple of Ranganatha is reclining on a five-headed serpent and is said to be very ancient. According to the local legend, it is said to be 3600 years old and was a gift from God.<ref name="McMillan2006">{{cite book|author=Murray McMillan|title=Tehaka's Journey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5tqbooPvXMEC&pg=PA293|date=August 2006|publisher=Janus Publishing Company Lim|isbn=978-1-85756-607-9|page=293}}</ref> There is a chariot located in the front yard of this [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna|temple]] which was a gift by [[Muslim]] Ruler [[Hyder Ali]], Tipu Sultan's father.<ref name="Various2009"/>

This temple is known as the eastern (Purva) Ranganatha Kshetram, while the similar temple in the western part of the Cauvery River, also in an island is called the Paschima Ranganatha Kshetra.{{Sfn|Ayyar|1982|p=596}}

The temple is {{Convert|16|km}} from the [[Mysore]] city in the town of Srirangaptna, which is named after the deity, Sri Ranganatha in the temple.<ref name="Vargas2005">{{cite book|author=Rosemary Vargas|title=Ashtanga City – The Westerner's Guide to Mysore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IbR3aCi6KGUC&pg=PA79|year=2005|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-4116-5669-7|page=79}}</ref> The annual Ranganatha Swamy temple fair is held at the temple premises in the month of [[Pausha]] (December/January).{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

==Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)==
{{Main|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)}}
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| footer = ''Rajagopuram'' (Main tower)
| image1 = 23Sirirangam Gateway.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Pre 1987
| image2 = Srirangam rajagopuram.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Post 1987
}}
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is located on the eastern shores of the [[Srirangam]] (Anthya Ranga) island, which appears like a conch in shape, one of the adornments in Vishnu's hands. In this temple, Ranganatha in a reclining position resting on the bed of [[Shesha]] and is seen with his consort [[Ranganayaki]].{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|pp=274-275}} There are many legends connected with the founding of the temple but the most narrated one is that the creator god [[Brahma]] was involved in doing [[tapas]] (meditation) here when the central icon of Ranganatha emerged from the cosmic milky ocean in a celestial flying craft. Brahma then took this image to his abode [[Satyaloka]] in the heavens where he offered daily [[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]. This was then brought to [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]] by King [[Ikshvaku]] after several hundred years of penance, and was passed down over generations to Ikshvaku's descendant [[Rama]], an [[avatar]] of Vishnu himself and hero of the epic ''[[Ramayana]]''. Rama then presented it to [[Vibhishana]], who assisted him in killing the demon-king of [[Lanka]] and Vibhishana's elder brother, [[Ravana]]. However, when Vibhishana was taking the image to [[Lanka]], he stopped en route on the banks of the Kaveri to bathe at Srirangam, and thereafter the deity wished to dwell there itself, and since then it is under continuous worship at this location.{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|pp=363-64}}{{Sfn|Dalal|2011|page =339}}{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|pp=274-275}} Since Vibhishana was very forlorn by the decision of the Lord, Ranganatha faces south towards Lanka to placate Vibhishana.{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|pp=363-64}} One more legend mentioned is that river goddess Kaveri requested Ranganatha to reside at [[Srirangam]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}}

The temple is also known for the legend of [[Andal]], a female [[Alvar]] saint of the [[Sri Vaishnava]] sect. She got married symbolically to the Ranganatha icon (Vishnu) as per her deep desire. The marriage took place in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple when Andal (said to be an incarnation of goddess [[Lakshmi]]) merged with the image, and became a part of Ranganatha.{{Sfn|Dalal|2011|page =28}}

Another incident related to the deity of this temple is of a Vaishnava Saint (Vipra Narayanar) who lived in the 7th century and composed hymns in praise of the Lord. He was born in a village called Thirumandangudi on the banks of the Kaveri River and was a staunch devotee of Ranganatha of Srirnagam. He came to live in Srirangam and used to make garlands for the deity. However, he fell in love with a [[devadasi]] and he took to wrong deeds. Finally, Lord Ranganatha came to his rescue and then he was given the name of [[Thondaradippodi Alvar]], (meaning: "dust at the feet of the lord"). Thereafter, he composed 54 hymns in praise of the Lord, which have become part of [[Divya Prabandha|Naalayira Divya Prabhandam]] (4000 divine hymns).{{Sfn|Dalal|2011|page =118}}

The temple location is in an island formed by the Kaveri River and the stream [[Kollidam]] joining it, to bifurcate it and again joining a few miles downstream of the island. Its construction, in [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian architectural style]], is attributed to the period of Udayan Setupathi in association with [[Sri Lanka]]n prince Pararaja Sekara, in 1414; however, the main sanctuary where the idol is deified dates to the 11th century and the surrounding enclosures and pavilions belong mostly to the 17th and 18th centuries.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}} It took 350 years to complete with 35 villages granted for its maintenance. The sanctum sanctorum, square in shape, built with in circular shrine,{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|pp=274-275}} is encircled by seven tier of walls of {{Convert|25|ft}} height) spaced at {{Convert|120|yard}}, with outer wall measuring nearly {{Convert|7|mi}}. There are twenty one towers or "gopurams" (some of them unfinished) and each forming a common gated entry and all of similar design; the 13- tiered ''rajagopuram'', or chief tower, on the western side, {{Convert|78|ft}} in height (''illustration''), was built in 1987 by [[Ahobila Mutt]] and dominates the landscape for miles around. There are many pavilions and shrines within the complex an ''Ayiram kaal mandapam'' (a hall of 1000 pillars of carved granite and decorated with carvings) and several small water tanks (two important ones for pilgrims to bathe are Agni Thirta and Kodi Tirtha) inside. The corridors and pillars are huge and elegantly carved. The corridors are about {{Convert|400|ft}} in length with width varying from {{Convert|17|-|21|ft}} with a height of {{Convert|30|ft}} from the floor to the ceiling. The total area covered by the temple precincts measures {{Convert|865|ft}}x{{Convert|657|ft}}. Red and gray [[granite]] and [[sienite]] have been used in pavements, stairways and lower part of walls. The temple has decorations of carved [[griffins]], idols of gods and men and animals ([[tiger]]s). The space between the walls of the temple complex has the well planned complete city of Srirangam with roads and houses.{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|pp=274-275}}<ref name="Malcolm1839">{{cite book|author=Howard Malcolm|title=Travels in south-eastern Asia, embracing Hindustan, Malaya, Siam, and China: with notices of numerous missionary stations, and a full account of the Burman Empire; with dissertations, tables, etc|url=https://archive.org/details/travelsinsouthe05malcgoog|access-date=13 December 2012|year=1839|publisher=Gould, Kendall, and Lincoln|pages=[https://archive.org/details/travelsinsouthe05malcgoog/page/n79 69]–}}</ref> It is stated to be the largest temple in South India.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

[[Vaikunta Ekadashi]] festival is an important event in the temple premises and is said to be a celebration on the occasion of Ekadashi goddess who is said to have defeated [[asuras]] or demons. {{Sfn|Ayyar|1982|p=447}}

Parasara Batttar, well known poet of the times who has written a commentary on ''[[Vishnu Sahasranama]]'' (the thousand names of Vishnu) has noted the beautiful image of Ranganatha at Srirangam temple as ornamented with [[basil]] ([[tulsi]]) garland on the chest (favorite of Vishnu), ''[[Kaustubha]]'', ''Vaijayanthi hara'' (a necklace) and a few other ornaments, which once formed the divine jewelry of [[Krishna]], the [[avatar]] (incarnation) of Vishnu, are also decorating the image of Ranganatha.<ref>{{cite book|author=T. Padmaja|title=Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F-_eR1isesMC&pg=PA73|year=2002|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-398-4|page=73}}</ref>

==Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple==
{{Main|Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple|l1=Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple}}
[[File:Koviladi1.jpg|200x200px|thumb|right|Koviladi Appala Ranganathar temple]]
The [[Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple]], also called as [[Thirupper Nagar]], is located on the banks of the Kaveri River, {{Convert|3|mi}} away from [[Kollidam]]. It is one of the [[Divya Desams|108 Divya Desams]]{{Sfn|Ayyar|1982|p=533}} and also one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.<ref name="Pancharanga Kshetrams"/>

The main deity in the sanctum is Lord Ranganatha, in a reclining pose and considered ''adi'', meaning fore runner, to the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Srirangam. The temple tower is in the shape of Indira's [[Vimana]] (aircraft). Also seen in the precincts of the temple is the shrine of Lord ''Vazhikatti Vinanayaka'' (Guiding [[Vinayaka]]) or Lord [[Ganesh]]. According to the legend of the place, King Upamanyu and Parasara Rishi saw the Lord Appakudathan here, and King Upamanyu is stated to have offered ''appam'' (pancake) as a food offering to the god, and hence the lord got his name as ''Appakudathan''. Indra's pride was destroyed by this god and also removed the fear of death from the mind of [[Markandeya]] Rishi and also King Upari Siravasu was blessed free of sins and curses. Saint [[Periyalvar]] sang the ''Mangalashasanam'', a hymn in praise of the Lord, in front of the god before he attained [[moksha]] or salvation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=349|title=Sri Appakudathan temple|access-date=19 December 2012|publisher=Dinamalar}}</ref>

==Sarangapani Temple==
{{Main|Sarangapani Temple}}
[[File:Gopuras in Kumbakonam - India.JPG|thumb|Gopuras of the temple in Kumbakonam]]
The Sarangapani Temple on the banks of the Kaveri River at [[Kumbakonam]] is one of the Divya Desams and is also one of the five Pancharangam Temples. Its location is in the [[Tanjore]] district of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]], about {{Convert|1.5|mi}} from the [[Kumbakonam]] railway station.<ref name="Pancharanga Kshetrams"/><ref>''108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Malai Nadu and Vada Nadu''. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.</ref>

The deity in the temple is Sarangapani, an incarnation of Vishnu. According to a legend, when saint Hema Rishi did penance, Vishnu appeared to him from Heavens driving a chariot drawn by four horses and elephants. The temple depicts this scene in the sanctum sanctorum (central chamber of the temple) and the chariot opens out on either side. According to this legend the hermitage of the rishi became the Pottramarai tank of the temple.{{Sfn|Ayyar|1982|page=324}}

==Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple==
{{Main|Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple}}

The Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams. It is located on the banks of the Kaveri River, in [[Mayiladuthurai]] in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="Pancharanga Kshetrams"/> The legend of the temple is related to a pious [[bandit]]-turned-Alvar saint [[Thirumangai Alvar|Parakal]], known for his devotion to Ranganatha. Lord Vishnu transformed him by teaching the ''Narayana [[mantra]]'' or ''Ashtaksara'' (the eight syllabled) – "namo narayanaya", turning the robber into a saint who then starts singing the first verse of Peria Thirumozhi/ Peria Thirumoli (Vaadinen Vaadi).<ref name = "Subramanian">[[#V.K.|VK]] 2006, p.49</ref><ref name = "Chari29">[[#Chari|Chari]] 1997, pp. 29–32</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Bhagavad-Gita: Translation and Commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CvFRIgjTzJAC&pg=PA181|page=181|publisher=iUniverse|last=Krishnaraj|first=Veeraswamy|isbn=9781475911817|year=2002}}</ref> Then Lord Ranganatha agrees to permanently reside in his town Tirunakari as Parimala Perumal and Parakal built a temple for him and remained there permanently offering prayers to the god.<ref name="Hardy2005">{{cite book|author=Friedhelm Hardy|title=The Religious Culture of India: Power, Love and Wisdom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rmb6oIyTFD4C&pg=PA315|year=2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-02344-3|page=315}}</ref> The Temple town is now known as [[Thiruvilandur|Thiruindaloor]] in [[Mayiladuthurai taluk]] of [[Mayiladuthurai district]] in Tamil Nadu.

The practice of playing [[nadaswaram|nadasvaram]] (a wind musical instrument) at temples, though in vogue for centuries, did not have any ''[[sahityam]]'' or music based literature or lyrics to go with it. Then a beginning was made by renowned musicians who composed a ''rakti'', a musical composition with 2 to 8 notes according to their skills and then played it in Parimala Ranganatha Temple. Thereafter, it became a popular rendition in the nadasvaram. The ''rakti'' (lyrics) played in the Parimala Ranganatha temple at Tiruvizhandur was made famous by Tiruvizhandur Subrahmanya Pillai and Kurainadu Natesa Pillai, who were among the reputed ''rakti'' players of an earlier generation. Sri Radhakrishna Pillai was also a well known player of this instrument in recent times.<ref name="The Journal of the Music Academy, Madras">{{cite book|title=The Journal of the Music Academy, Madras|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QwgFAQAAIAAJ|year=1986|publisher=Music Academy.}}</ref>

==Sri Renganatha Perumal Temple, Vadarengam==
The last place in this list is known as VadaRangam as it is situated north of all these places (Vada in Tamil means north) or as Vata Rangam as the temple was once located in a forest of banyan (vata in Sanskrit) trees.<ref name="thehindu.com"/> Though there are not many banyan trees in the area today, the single tree found near the temple lends credence to this view. There is also an ancient Shiva temple, Jambukeswara here. This place is considered to be as holy as Srirangam as the temples of Lords Ranganatha and Sri Jambukeswara are situated close to each other. However, both the temples are in a highly dilapidated condition now due to the ravages of nature and the fury of the floods in the Kollidam. The river was once flowing near the temples after taking a turn towards the north (Utharavauhini). A river that flows from the south to the north is considered to be particularly sacred. A major part of the village of Vatarangam was washed away by floods in the early years of the 20th century. Likely since then, the temple at Kumbakonam has become a more popular pancharanga sthalam.

This place was known as Punnagavana Kshetram in the [[Satya Yuga]], as Thulasivanam in the [[Treta Yuga]], Vagularanyam in the [[Dvapara Yuga]] and Vataranyam in the [[Kali Yuga]]. There are many legends associated with this temple. Ranganatha's Moolavar idol is very small when compared with those in other places, and hence it is known as Balarangam. Lord Jambukeswara, referred to as Jambunathar here, is worshiped in a separate shrine though not much is known about the sthalapuranam. The Goddess here is known as Akhilandeswari.

To reach this place one has to travel on the Chennai-Chidambaram road, pass through Coleroon and Sirkazhi and then branch off the main road and travel a distance of 12 km before reaching Vatarangam. It is situated between Sirkazhi and Vaitheeswarankoil.

==See also==
* [[Divya Desams]]
* [[Nava Tirupathi|Nava Tirupati]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC |year=1982 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0151-2 }}
* {{cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA339 |year=2011 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-341421-6 |pages=339– }}
* {{cite book |last=Raman |first=Srilata |title=Self-surrender (prapatti) to God in Śrīvaiṣṇavism: Tamil Cats and Sanskrit Monkeys|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MDkiUKoFh-kC&pg=PA44 |year=2007 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-39185-6 |page=44}}
* {{cite book |last=Deshpande |first=Aruna |title=India: A Divine Destination |publisher=Crest Publishing House |year= 2005 |isbn=81-242-0556-6 |pages=264–265, 363–64, and 374–75 }}

{{Vishnu temples}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples]]

Pancharanga Kshetrams - Revision history

Manish Khouriwal: Pg