Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple on the island of Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli is the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world, covering an area of 156 acres with 21 gopurams, 39 pavilions, 50 shrines, and seven concentric enclosures called prakarams. The outermost walls of the temple effectively form the boundaries of a temple town where thousands of people live and work within the sacred precinct. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu, and is the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams celebrated in the hymns of the Alvar saints. The main deity, Ranganatha, lies on the cosmic serpent Ananta with Goddess Ranganayaki, and the sanctum is believed to predate recorded history. The temple was expanded over many centuries by successive South Indian dynasties including the Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara kings. The Rajagopuram, the towering main entrance tower, stands 73 metres tall and is one of the tallest temple towers in Asia. The annual Vaikunta Ekadasi festival in December draws over a million pilgrims who queue to pass through the Paramapada Vasal (gateway to paradise) when it is opened for just one day.