Kottivakkam Dental Centre (KDC) for Acute Help * South India

Updated 2008-10-13

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu India is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a resting form of Vishnu. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (6,31,000 Sqm) with a perimeter of 1,116 m or 10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in the world ^{[citation needed]}. The temple is enclosed by 7 concentric walls and contains 21 gopurams. Among the marvels of the temple is a "hall of 1000 pillars" (actually 953). Much of the existing temple dates to renovations occurring between the 13th and 18th centuries. However the temple is mentioned in literature as old as the Silapadikaram and Nalayiradivyapirabandam (c.a. 3rd century CE) while in contrast, the rajagopuram (main gopuram) did not reach its current height of 73 m. until 1987.

The 11th century philosopher and Vaisnava saint, Ramanuja, preached from Srirangam and to this day, the temple is a center for the Vishishtadvaita school founded by him.