Biggest Functioning Hindu Temple in the world
Srirangam is famous for its Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus (especiallySrivaishnavites) and the largest temple complex in India.
According to the temple's website, Srirangam can be considered the biggest functioningHindu temple in the world, as it covers an area of about 631,000 square metres (6,790,000 sq ft) with a perimeter of 4 km (10,710 ft).Angkor Wat is bigger but non-functioning.
Srirangam among a few "self-manifested" shrines (Swayam Vyakta Kshetras) of Lord Vishnu. The temple is enormous in size. The temple complex is 156 acres (0.63 km2) in extent. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. The temple town lies on an islet formed by the twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon.
The Srirangam temple complex is composed of 7 concentric walled sections and 21 towersgopuram.The gopuram of the temple is called the Rajagopuram and is 236 feet (72 m) tall, the tallest in Asia.
The temple has seven prakaras (elevated enclosures) with gopurams articulating the axial path, the highest at the outermost prakara and the lowest at the innermost. In historic times, just after the construction of this temple, the city of Srirangam lived completely within the walls of this temple and hence is quoted as an example of Hindureligious utopia - during its peak of existence.
The Srirangam temple is one of the three temples of the God Ranganatha that are situated in the natural islands formed in the Kaveri river.
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