Sri Rangji Mandir is dedicated to
Lord Sri Goda-Rangamannar.
Goda or Andal as she is popularly known in
South India was a famous 8th century Vaishnava saint who had composed "Tiruppuvai"
which centers around her love for her beloved Lord Krishna and his leela
bhoomi Vrindavan. She pines for him, fasts for him, sings songs in his
praise and wants to attain him by marrying him.
Lord Ranganatha who is none other
than Krishna answers her prayers by becoming her bridegroom. In Sri
Rangji Mandir, Lord Krishna is present as the bridegroom with a walking
stick in his hand as is the custom in a traditional south Indian
marriage. To his right is Andal and to his
left Garuda, the
vahana of Lord Krishna.
Andal had expressed three wishes in "NachiyarTirumozhi"(143
verses composed by her in praise of Lord Krishna). Her first wish was to
spend her life at the feet of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. Her second wish
that Lord Krishna accept her as his bride came true when she married
Lord Krishna and the third wish that Lord Ranganatha (Lord Krishna) be
offered "Ksheeranna"(dessert
made of rice and milk) in a hundred pots was fulfilled by the eleventh
century vaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya. Her first wish which had not
been fulfilled by any of the previous Vaishnava acharyas was fulfilled
by Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji
by constructing this temple where Sri Goda-Rangamannar reside as divya
dampathi (divine couple).
SriRangji temple is one of the largest temple in the whole of North
India. Its one of the very few temples in India, where regular festivals
are celebrated and all the traditions and rituals are performed
according to the prescribed Vedic norms. In SriRangji temple one would
find a unique mixture of both south and north Indian traditions.
In addition to celebrating all the festivals which are part of South Indian
SriVaishnava temple tradition, several festivals which are part of the North
tradition are also celebrated here. For example its only at SriRangji temple where devotees can
enjoy the pleasure of playing holi with the Lord during SriBrahmotsav.
