Beauty of Sri Rangam

Lord Sri Ranganatha of the temple appeared from the Milk Ocean. Lord Brahmma was worshipping Him for a long time and appointed Sun to continue the pujas as per Vedic rules. Lord Sri Rama, belonging to the Surya (Sun) dynasty was worshipping the Lord then. As a mark of His love and recognition of the services rendered to him by Vibishana during His war against Ravana to rescue Sita, Lord Rama gifted His Ranganatha to Vibishana. While returning to Lanka after Sri Rama’s coronation in Ayodhya, Vibishana placed the idol on the ground for a break during the journey. But Vibishana was shocked that he could not even move the idol when he tried then. He was consoled by the king of the region Dharma Chola. Lord Perumal also expressed His desire to stay on the banks of Cauvery and promised Vibishana that He would be in His reclining form facing Lanka in the south. Darma Chola built the temple later. As this temple went into the sands in the years that followed, this temple was built by Killi Valavan of the Chola dynasty, according to history.

While staging the Kamba Ramayana in the temple, some objected to the mention of Lord Sri Narasimha in the Ramavatar story. Kambar said that he would withdraw this part of the epic if Lord Himself so demanded. Lord Sri Narasimha emerged from a pillar and approved Kambar’s writing as true. Lord Narasimha in the temple graces from a separate shrine in the name of Mettazhagia Singar near the Mother’s shrine. The mandap where Ramayana Arangettram took place is opposite the Mother’s shrine. Lord Narasimha is holding only the conch. No discus.

Thuluka Nachiyar daughter of a Muslim king of Delhi was in love with the Lord. To remember her, Lord is dressed with Lungi the Muslim dhoti, and Roti is offered as nivedhana on Ekadasi and new moon days.