The structure of the temple is based
on the famous Sri Ranganatha Swami temple of
Sri Rangam though keeping in
mind the local craftsmanship; changes in the architecture were done. Sri
Rangji Mandir is a rare and exquisite admixture of south and north
Indian temple architecture. Sri Rangji Mandir has been built in the
traditional south Indian style with five concentric rectangular
enclosures around the sanctum sanctorum and two beautiful stone gates
carved in Jaipur style on the eastern and the western side.
On the western side of the temple just outside the gate is present a 50
feet high wooden chariot which is
taken out only once in a year during Brahmotsav.
Once you enter through the stone carved western gate you see a huge
seven storeyed gopuram. To its left
and right are electrically operated leelas depicting the stories of Lord
Rama and Lord Krishna. On the eastern side is another gopuram which is
five storeyed. Between the two gopurams in the outer concentric
enclosure there is a big pond known as the "Pushkarni".
Symmetrical in position to the pond on the other side is a small garden
where Andal is taken out on every Friday
evening. The garden has beautiful stone fountains which operate on
special occasions. In between the garden and the pond straight in front
of the eastern gopuram is "barahdwari"
and a small temple of Sri Hanumanji. Adjacent to the garden as you move
along the periphery, is located the seat of the
Goverdhan Peeth,
residence of Sri Goverdhan Rangacharyaji Maharaj who is the current
Goverdhan peethadeesh and the head of the Sri Rangji Mandir Trust Board
and the residential quarters of other priests and employees in a row.
Entry into the temple can be made from both the gates but the eastern
gate is called as the main gate. Inside, in a clockwise direction is
located the cookhouse, the temples of Sri
Raghunathji (Lord Ram) and Sri
Paudanathji (Lord Ranganath),
Vaikunth Dwar (it opens once
in a year on Vaikunth Ekadashi) the "Vahan Ghar"(where all the
divine mounts are kept, which are taken out during temple festivals),
the store, and the clock tower. Crossing the clock tower through another
gate you come across the 50 feet high gold plated "Dhwaja
Stambha". As you again start moving in the clockwise
direction you first see the Sri Sheesh Mahal (during Jhoola Utsav Lord
Goda Rangamannar reside here) and then come across the following
sannidhis:-
1) Sri Sudarshanji
2) Sri Narsimhaji
3) Lord Venkateshawra (Tirupati Balaji) *
4) Sri VenuGopalji
5) Sri Alwar Sannidhis
6) Sri Ramanujacharya Swamji with Sri Nammalwar(Sri Shathkop Swamiji),
Sri Nathmuni Swamiji, Sri Madhurkavi Alwaar
7) Sri Rangadeshik
Swamiji(Temple Founder), Sri Yamunacharya Swamiji(Alwandar), Sri
Kanchipurna Swamiji
At the end to the left of the Dhwaja Stambha is the Yagyashala where "Pavitrostava"
is held in the month of August/September. At the centre of the temple is
located the sannidhi of the main deity Sri
Goda-Rangamannar. As you enter the sannidhi of Sri Goda
Rangamannar you can see "Sri Jaya-Vijaya" guarding the divine
abode. Sri Goda-Rangamannar is present as the "mool-vigraha"
with Sri Goda Devi to his right and Sri Garudaji. Seated in the front is
the "utsav-vigraha"
of Sri Goda-Rangamannar with Sri Sudarshanji, Sri Garudaji, Sri
NityaGopalji(Sri Laddu Gopalji), Bhog Moorti and the Shayan Moorti.
* Every friday morning abhishek of the Lord with milk is done.
