Adhirangam Ranganathaswamy temple or Ranganatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Adhi Thiruvarangam in the Taluk of Sankarapuram, Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, it is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings.
Ranganatha Perumal is believed to have appeared to king Mahabali and the Alvars at the temple’s site.
As per the temple records, the temple is believed to be older than the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam and hence came to be known as Adhi Rangam, meaning the original Rangam.
It is classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.
The presiding deity, Ranganatha Perumal, has a beautiful image, 29 feet (8.8 m) high, made of mooligai silai who appears in a sleeping position. Adisesha, the five-headed serpent, serves as an umbrella of the presiding deity. A statue of Sridevi remains near the head of the temple and a statue of Bhudevi is located near the foot.
As per Hindu legend, a demon king named Somukan stole all the Vedas from the Devas and all the sages were worried. They appealed to Vishnu, who appeared as Ranganatha at this place to emerge from water to rescue the scriptures. He is also believed to have advised Brahma at this place. As per another legend, a king named Surakeerthi who was childless worshipped Vishnu at this place to get children. Chandra, the moon god, lost all his glow on account of a curse he incurred. The celestial deities advised him to worship Vishnu at this place. He established a tank and worshipped Ranganatha with the holy waters and believed to have been relieved off his curse. The temple tank, Chandra Pushkarani, is believed to be the tank he established. The celestial deities wanted Vishnu to show them his true form during a night time. Pleased by their devotion, Vishnu is believed to have appeared in Rangantha form and give darshan permanently.
The Ranga Vimanam given to Vibhishana and was installed in Srirangam temple, is believed to have been formed naturally in this temple. The Ranga vimanam in the temple is in the form of Om, is believed to be an amalgamated form of Vaishnavism.
The festivals associated with Vishnu like Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Janmashtami, Ramanavami and Adi Pooram are celebrated in the temple. The chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent.
