Ranganayaki

"For the Kannada film, see Ranganayaki (film)"

Ranganayaki, is the presiding Goddess of Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangam. Affectionately called "ThAyAr" ("Holy Mother" in Tamil), she is the consort of Lord Ranganatha, the male deity of Srirangam. She is regarded as the manifestation of Lakshmi. She is also called Ranga NAchiAr. Here is a link to the image of Ranganayaki. [http://www.ramanuja.org/img/ranganayaki.jpg]

Ranganayaki is held in high reverance by people of Srirangam, and in general, by Vaishnavites. Acharyas that sang the grace of Ranganatha have also venerate her. She is the feminine aspect of the Universe and certain Vaishnavite traditions regard her co-equal to Ranganatha himself: she is both the means and end in herself. Other traditions of Vaishnavism hold her only as means and the end is Narayana alone. Despite these philosophical differences, all vaishanvites rever her as ThAyAr.

As with Hindu tradition, the shrine has both a Moolavar and the Uthsavar (presiding deity). But unlike any temple, the Uthsavar of ThAyAr never leaves her sannathi. It is a usually a temple custom that the goddess of the temple takes her place beside the god of the temple during processions. But in Srirangam, ThAyAr never leaves her shrine. All others, including Ranganatha himself, come to see her.

Once a year, in the month of March-April, Dhivyadhampathigal -- the divine couple (Lord Azhagiya ManavAlan and ThAyAr), come together for a day. The day is Panguni Uthiram, day in the Tamil month of Panguni when the star Uthiram is in ascension. This Darshan is called "SErthi SEvai" [ [http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/rituals/mar2002/0021.html [sv-rituals I need to know the significance of Pankuni uttiram and Kalyana utsavam ] ] . In Tamil, SErthi is alongside/together and SEvai is Darshan.

Unlike many temples, Srirangam does not have a Thirukkalyana uthsavam, The Marriage Festival, between Namperumal and ThAyAr; They are regareded as Divtadhampathigal (divine couple), existing beyond the mortal confines.

In the Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy temple, along with Goddess Ranganayaki, one can also find, just behind her, Bhooma Devi and Sri Devi, in sitting posture.

There are many Shlokas composed on Goddess Mahalakshmi but the "Sri Gunaratna Kosam" -- a Sanskrit Shloka composed by Parasara Bhattar, is exclusive to Sri Ranganayaki. However the traditional Lakshmi Astothram is recited in the temple during rituals. Apart from this, Sree Sthuthi composed by Vedanta Desika and Kanaka dhara Sthothram given by Adi Shankaracharya are chanted by devotees of the temple.

All Acharyas of Hindu tradition, irrespective of their philophical plummage, have visited and continue to visit the Srirangam to pay their homage to Ranganatha and ThAyAr.

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