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{{Short description|Region of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu}}
{{About|a neighbourhood of [[Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tamil Nadu]]|Hindu temple situated here|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Srirangam
| official_name      = Tiruvarangam
| settlement_type    = Neighbourhood
| image_skyline      = Aerial view of Sri Rangam temple near Tiruchirapalli 1.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial view of the [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam]] in Srirangam
| nickname           = 
| image_map          = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = India Tamil Nadu#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|10.87|N|78.68|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = India
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of India|City]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Tiruchirappalli district|Tiruchirappalli]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| named_for          = 
| government_type    = City Municipal Corporation
| governing_body     = [[Tiruchirappalli City Municipal Corporation]]- Srirangam Zone
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 70
| population_total   = 181556
| population_as_of   = 2001
| population_rank    = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = 
| population_footnotes = 
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 620006
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| area_code          = 91–431
| registration_plate = TN-48
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1   = Tiruchirapalli
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Legislative Assembly]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1   = Srirangam
| website            = http://srirangam.org/ http://trichycorporation.gov.in|
| other_name         = Tiruvarangam
| native_name        = திருவரங்கம்
}}
'''Srirangam''' is a neighbourhood in the city of [[Tiruchirappalli]] in the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. A river island, Srirangam is bounded by the [[Kaveri River]] on one side and its [[distributary]] [[Kollidam]] on the other side. Considered as the first among the 108 [[Divya Desam]]s, a group of ''Vishnu temples'', it is famous for the [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Ranganathaswamy Temple]], the largest temple complex in India and the biggest functioning [[Hindu]] temple in the world. Srirangam is also home to a significant population of adherents of the [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnava]] tradition.

== Etymology ==
Old Tamil literature refers to the place as Tiruvarangam. The name owes itself to the legend that once the holy [[vimana]] (Sriranga Vimana) of Vishnu, which is believed to have become stranded at this place. An isle lying in the midst of the winding branches of a river is called ''arangam'' in Tamil. Thus, the spot came to be known as Srirangam in [[Sanskrit]] ("Shri-Rangam") and Tiruvarangam (Thiru + Arangam = Thiruvarangam)  in Tamil. "Shri" in Sanskrit and "Thiru" in Tamil are prefixes indicating respect and reverence, i.e. "Holy Rangam".  <ref>{{cite book |last1=Jagannathan |first1=Sarojini |title=Impact of Śri Rāmānujāçarya on temple worship |date=1994 |publisher=Nag Publishers |isbn=8170812887 |edition=1st |location=Delhi |page=89}}</ref>

==Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple==
[[File:Srirangam gopuram.jpg|thumb|left|220px|One of the ''[[gopuram]]''s out of the 21 present in the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam]]Srirangam is famous for its [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]], a major pilgrimage destination for [[Hindu]]s (especially [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnavas]]) and the largest temple complex in India.

According to the UNESCO, Srirangam is the biggest functioning [[Hindu temple]] in the world,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5894/ | title=Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam }}</ref> as it covers an area of about {{convert|631000|m2|sqft}} with a perimeter of 4&nbsp;km (10,710&nbsp;ft),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srirangam.org|title=Welcome to Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple|work=srirangam.org}}</ref> [[Angkor Wat]] which is also dedicated to [[Vishnu]] is even bigger but services do not take place any more in the temple.

Srirangam is one of a few [[Swayambhu|self-manifested]] shrines (Svayam Vyakta Kshetras) of Vishnu. The temple complex spans {{convert|156|acre|km2}}. It has seven ''[[Prakaram|prakaras]]'' (enclosures). These enclosures are formed by tall, thick rampart walls running around the sanctum. There are 21 towers, [[gopuram]]s, in all ''prakaras'' decreasing in height inwards. The temple town lies on an islet formed by the rivers Kaveri and Kollidam.<ref name="India">India By Sarina Singh, Joe Bindloss, Paul Clammer, Janine Eberle</ref>

The southern ''[[gopuram]]'' of the temple, called the ''Raja[[gopuram]]'', is 239.5 feet tall and, as of 2016, is the tallest in Asia. The construction of the Rajagopuram began during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara empire. However, construction was halted after his death and the structure of the Rajagopuram remained incomplete for over 400 years. The completion of the Rajagopuram was undertaken and completed successfully by Sri Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesikan, the 44th jeeyar of Sri [[Ahobila Matha]]. The construction spanned 8 years before it was consecrated on 25 March 1987.

In historic times, just after the construction of this temple, the city of Srirangam lived completely within the walls of this temple, and is often described as a Hindu [[Utopia#Religious utopia|religious utopia]].

The Srirangam temple is one of the three temples of the deity [[Ranganatha]] (Antya Ranga) that are situated in the natural islands formed in the Kaveri river. They are:

*Adi Ranga: the [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]] at [[Srirangapatna]], [[Srirangapatna|Srirangapatna taluk]], [[Mandya district]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
*Madhya Ranga: the [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Shivanasamudra)|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]] at [[Shivanasamudra]], [[Kollegal|Kollegala taluk]], [[Chamrajnagar district|Chamarajanagara district]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
*Antya Ranga: the [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]] at Srirangam, [[Srirangam taluk]], [[Tiruchirappalli district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]

There is a [[gopuram]] fully made of gold, which is protected by an electrical fence. Clothes such as silk sarees, dhoti and towels, which are used for religious purposes are auctioned here.

[[Ramanuja]] (11th century), one of the most celebrated theologians of Hinduism, made his monastic home by the temple at Srirangam. Here he wrote his famous commentaries on the ''[[Brahma Sutra]]'', which expressed a qualified non-dualism of the Vedanta, his [[Vishishtadvaita]].<ref>[[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]], ''Indian Philosophy'', volume 2 (London: George Allen Unwin 1923, rev'd 1929, 1940, reprint Oxford University 1989, 2006), pp. 659-662, 665-667.</ref> Ramanuja's body is said to come out of the Earth after he was buried and was preserved at this temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dheivegam.com/ramanujars-body-was-preserved/|title=Ramanujar body preserved inside Srirangam Temple|work=Ramanujar's preserved body info|date=17 September 2017 }}</ref> Although, Ramanujar hailed from [[Sriperumbudur]] and a pivotal point in his lifetime, receiving the [[Om Namo Narayanaya|Ashtakshara]] mantram, happened in [[Thirukoshtiyur]], he made Srirangam his home after the demise of his Acharya in spirit, Alavanthar or Yamunacharya.

Inside the temple complex, there is a separate temple dedicated to the goddess [[Andal]]. Additionally, there is a museum, a library and a bookshop.

== Legend ==
According to the [[Sthala purana|regional legend]], the deity [[Rama]] is regarded to have performed ''aradhanam'' ([[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]) to Vishnu's [[Murti|idol]] ([[Ranganatha|deity in a reclining posture]]). He is regarded to have granted the idol to [[Vibhishana]] (the brother of [[Ravana]] of the Hindu epic [[Ramayana]]) to take back with him to [[Lanka]]. Rama informed him that he could not set the idol upon the earth; if he did so, the idol would become bound upon the site. While travelling towards Lanka, he came upon the banks of the river Kaveri. He placed the idol on the banks while an [[utsava]]m was in progress. When the utsavam got over, the idol refused to move, according to some accounts because Vishnu grew fond of Srirangam. When Vibhishana requested the deity to come along with him, Vishnu refused, but promised to bless Vibhishana by always facing the south (the direction of Lanka, home to Vibhishana). It is due this reason the idol of the deity (in a reclining posture) is believed to face the south. The Chola kings '''Dharmavarcholan''' and [[Killivalavan]] developed the shrine into the present size of the temple, with the contributions of [[Thirumangai Alvar|Tirumangai Alvar]]. They built the basic foundations and main buildings.

After the rise of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], the emperor [[Krishnadevaraya]] offered his patronage to the city, treating it on par with Tirupati and bequeathing plenty of treasures, jewels and lands to the Srirangam temple. During his period the Srirangam temple was restructured, and many plans were executed for its growth and welfare of the people.

==Geography==
The Kaveri River diverges at the [[Upper Anaicut]], a dam at the island's westernmost point. The Kollidam River, the first and largest [[distributary]] of the Kaveri, flows to the north of the [[Srirangam Island]], while the continuation of the Kaveri flows to the island's south. While the Kollidam continues flowing east past the island unimpeded, the [[Grand Anaicut]] dams the Kaveri at the island's eastern end, splitting the river into four streams. One stream flows northeast for a short distance, joining the Kollidam and cutting off Srirangam Island on its eastern end. The island is {{convert|19|mi|km}} in length  and {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} wide. The town of Srirangam, a prominent [[Hindu]] [[Vaishnavite]] pilgrimage centre, is located at the centre of this island. Most of the island forms part of the Srirangam zone of the [[Tiruchirappalli Municipal Corporation]] and includes the suburbs of Srirangam, [[Thiruvanaikaval]], [[Srinivasa Nagar, Tiruchirappalli|Srinivasa Nagar]] and [[Gitapuram]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Census of India 2011 - Tamil Nadu |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/33/3313_PART_A_DCHB_TIRUCHIRAPPALLI.pdf |date=2022-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151156/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/33/3313_PART_A_DCHB_TIRUCHIRAPPALLI.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-08 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Economy ==

Due to the famous temple, Srirangam has a thriving economy based on tourism. Devotees come from all parts of India and abroad. The number of devotees to the town increases greatly during the festivals like [[Vaikunta Ekadashi]] which falls on the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] month of ''Marghazi'' (Margashirsha).

There are many other famous temples near Srirangam. They include [[Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort|Pillaiyar Rockfort]] temple, [[Samayapuram]] [[Mariamman]] temple, [[Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval|Tiruvaanaikovil]] temple, [[Vayalur]] Murugan temple, [[Uraiyur]] Vekkali Amman temple, Kattu Alagiya Singar temple etc.<ref>[http://www.findmytemple.com/en/trichy/t244-kattu-azhagiya-singa-perumal,-srirangam Kattu Azhagiya Singa Perumal Temple, Sri Rangam, Trichy – Find My Temple – Temples of Tamil Nadu – Thanjavur, Madurai, Thiruvannamalai, Palani, Kumbakonam<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In addition along the banks of Kaveri in areas near Srirangam and [[Tiruchirappalli]] there are other famous temples of Vishnu most of which house the reclining form of him, namely the Sri Vadivalagiya Nambi Perumal Temple (Thiru Anbil) and housing the deity Appala [[Ranganatha]]r, also called the [[Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple|Appukudaththan]] Temple at [[Koviladi]].

Another temple of Vishnu is at [[Tiruchirappalli]] itself, the Alagiya Nambi Temple at [[Woraiyur]] which is part of the [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]] at Srirangam.

Srirangam town is also home to several hundred people who work in offices and industries located in [[Tiruchirappalli]]. The public transport linking Srirangam to Tiruchirappalli (route #1) is very frequent.

== Education ==

There are numerous schools, both private and public, in the town. The [[Higher Secondary School for Boys, Srirangam|Higher Secondary School for Boys]] was founded in 1896 and is the oldest one in the town. There is also a Higher Secondary School for girls which is almost as old as that of the boys. Sri Vageesha Vidhyashram Senior Secondary School, Srimad Andavan College, Chinmaya Vidyalaya Matric. School, Sri Akilandeswari Vidyalaya, Vignesh Sri Ranga Matriculation School, Sri Vaijayanthi Vidhyalaya etc., are other institutions in Srirangam. Most of the schools have English as a medium of instruction. Some have Tamil as a medium of instruction, and some have both. There are many school children who travel to nearby Tiruchirappalli also. Many schools in Srirangam, offer Sanskrit and Hindi as second languages.

==Transport==

===Air===
[[File:Aerial photograph of Srirangam Island between Kaveri and Kollidam rivers.JPG|thumb|left|280px|Srirangam as seen from the air]]
The nearest airport is [[Tiruchirappalli International Airport]]. Tiruchirappalli Airport has connections to [[Chennai]], [[Singapore]], [[Dubai]], [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]], [[Colombo]], [[Jaffna]], [[Abu Dhabi]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Dammam]], [[Muscat]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Cochin]].

===Rail===
[[File:Sri Rangam Railway Station.jpg|thumb|232x232px|Srirangam Railway Station Name Board]]
Srirangam has a railway station that can be reached from [[Chennai]] through any of the major trains travelling in the [[Chennai]]-[[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]] railway track and the approximate journey time from [[Chennai]] is about 5 hours and 10 minutes (320&nbsp;km). Only selected trains stop at Srirangam and rest at Tiruchirappalli junction. There is bus service from Tiruchirapalli Junction to Srirangam Temple every 5 minutes throughout the day. At night bus frequency is half an hour.

The [[Tiruchirappalli]] fort and Tiruchirapalli Junction which are at a distance of 2&nbsp;km and 7&nbsp;km respectively, serve as a connection point to many destinations in southern India, such as [[Thanjavur]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Chidambaram]], [[Madurai]], [[Tirupati]], [[Thoothukudi|Tuticorin]], [[Tenkasi]], [[Rameswaram]], [[Kollam]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Coimbatore]], [[Mysuru]], [[Kochi]], [[Kanyakumari]] and [[Mangalore]]. It also connects cities in the western part of India, such as [[Pune]], [[Surat]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Bikaner]] and [[Ahmedabad]], and some North Indian cities like [[New Delhi]] and [[Jammu]].

===Bus===
[[File:Trichy Kaveri Bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Bridge Connecting Tiruchirappalli and Srirangam across [[Kaveri River]]]]
Tiruchirappalli Central bus stand has direct services to most parts of Tamil Nadu. From the bus stand, tourists can avail of local buses, taxis and autorickshaws to reach Srirangam.

City Bus service to all places of tourist interest from Central Bus Stand and Chinthamani - Main Guard Gate Bus Stand (Both in Tiruchirappalli). Tourist taxis and autorickshaws are also available at reasonable rates.

Route No. 1 of the City bus service runs between Srirangam and Central Bus stand. This route starts from Tiruchirappalli Central Bus Stand and goes via Tiruchirappalli Junction Railway Station, Palakkarai Rettai pillaiyar Kovil street, Main Guard Gate, Chatram Bus Stand, Cauvery River Bridge, Mambazha salai, Thiruvanaikoil and ends at Srirangam Bus Stand near the Srirangam Therkku vaasal (South entrance to the temple).

There is a bus every 5 minutes and the bus service is round the clock.

Buses TNSTC originating from Srirangam to various places like Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Madurai, [[Kodaikanal]], etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://srirangaminfo.com/|title=Srirangam Info Exclusively|work=Srirangam's Complete Information}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tnstc.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/list-of-new-routes-added-by-setc-part-ii/
|title=List of new routes added by SETC – Part II|publisher=tnstc.wordpress.com|date=17 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tnstc.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/tnstc-bus-timings-from-srirangam/|title=TNSTC Bus Timings from Srirangam.|publisher=tnstc.wordpress.com|date=24 May 2015}}</ref>

== Climate ==
The climate of Tiruchirappalli (and Srirangam) is Tropical. Average Temperature Range (°C): Summer- Max. {{convert|37.1|°C|1}} Min. {{convert|26.4|°C|1}}; Winter- Max. {{convert|31.3|°C|1}} Min. {{convert|20.6|°C|1}}; Rainfall: {{convert|835|mm|1}}

==Politics==
[[Srirangam (state assembly constituency)|Srirangam Assembly constituency]] is a part of the [[Tiruchirappalli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tiruchirappalli Lok Sabha constituency]]. The former chief minister of the state [[Jayalalithaa]] had represented this constituency.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf
 |title       = List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies
 |access-date  = 11 October 2008
 |work        = Tamil Nadu
 |publisher   = Election Commission of India
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20060504185928/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf
 |archive-date = 4 May 2006}}</ref>
Mutharayar and Brahmins play a major role in Srirangam Assembly constituency, as a majority of voters are from this communities.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/Mar/03/why-both-aiadmk-and-bjp-want-srirangam-2271334.html
|title=Why both AIADMK and BJP want Srirangam | newspaper=The New Indian Express| first=JAYAKUMAR 
| last=MADALA| date=3 March 2021 | access-date=}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Tiruchirappalli}}
{{Tiruchirapalli district}}
{{Kaveri River}}
{{Hindu holy cities}}

[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Neighbourhoods and suburbs of Tiruchirappalli]]