inside Srirangam
This temple is a Vishnu temple, and one of the greatest in South India for that matter. For some reason though I never make it into the sanctum at Vishnu temples and Srirangam was no exception. I am a Shiva person anyway, he is a much better fit for my being. Yes Shiva, the dreadlocked, dope smoking, ascetic, the destroyer of illusions, the cosmic dancer. Social Workers are Shavites haha. Now Vishnu, techies and professionals, they are Vishnu peeps. Vishnu has the richest and largest temples the best connections, they keep things moving along. Us Shavites we tend to go to a mountain top and chill.
And I always seem to make into the Main Temple enclosure at Shiva temples and are allowed darshan and prasad. (In South India most all main temple enclosures are "Hindu Only" everyone else is turned away at the door. Sometimes even NRI (Non-Resident Indians) are not permitted to enter.) My karma is with Shiva.
Anyway, I digress.
Even without entrance to the main temple there is so much to experience at Srirangam. Like in all South temples images of gods are carved on support pillars of the hallways. Over the centuries certain images gain popular favor and are adored on their own, like these in this one hallway.
This garlanded image of Ganesh is given a ritual bath and butter lamps are lit in its honor and prayer. Centuries of butter lamp smoke and offerings of ghee and sugar water have coated the pillar in an auspicious, thick sticky layer that is moist like soft butter to the touch.
Saraswathi, the goddess of knowledge lovingly covered in golden yellow by devotees.
And temple is a town commons, where people meet and socialize.
"Victory Horses" adorn the entrance to a hallway, with an unpainted gopuram in the background.
Two priests rush towards the entrance to the inner sanctum with pitchers full of sacred water.
Priest poses for me with his empty pitcher next to the high wall of the inner sanctum @ Srirangam.
the rest of my Srirangam photo set @ flickr
http://flickr.com/photos/byronic501/sets/72057594098587398/
And I always seem to make into the Main Temple enclosure at Shiva temples and are allowed darshan and prasad. (In South India most all main temple enclosures are "Hindu Only" everyone else is turned away at the door. Sometimes even NRI (Non-Resident Indians) are not permitted to enter.) My karma is with Shiva.
Anyway, I digress.
Even without entrance to the main temple there is so much to experience at Srirangam. Like in all South temples images of gods are carved on support pillars of the hallways. Over the centuries certain images gain popular favor and are adored on their own, like these in this one hallway.
This garlanded image of Ganesh is given a ritual bath and butter lamps are lit in its honor and prayer. Centuries of butter lamp smoke and offerings of ghee and sugar water have coated the pillar in an auspicious, thick sticky layer that is moist like soft butter to the touch.
Saraswathi, the goddess of knowledge lovingly covered in golden yellow by devotees.
And temple is a town commons, where people meet and socialize.
"Victory Horses" adorn the entrance to a hallway, with an unpainted gopuram in the background.
Two priests rush towards the entrance to the inner sanctum with pitchers full of sacred water.
Priest poses for me with his empty pitcher next to the high wall of the inner sanctum @ Srirangam.
the rest of my Srirangam photo set @ flickr
http://flickr.com/photos/byronic501/sets/72057594098587398/