Srirangam, Bhoolokha Vaikuntam.
my #WalkToTemple:

Let's start with Vellai Gopuram, the second tallest Entrance to the massive Temple, the first being the one completed by Ahobila Swami, it's sheer size shows Hindus are still capable of building great Temples.

The Venu Gopala Swamy Temple built during Hoysala reign is a clear Architecture treasure.

It does shows some of the barbaric destructions probably by Madurai or Delhi Sultanates post Malik Kafur first raid in 1311.

Some of the images carved on pillars in front of this Temple are spell bounding.

Three Headed Vishnu, the Kings with their hands cut off.

The 1000 pillar Mandapam (953 to be precise). In the centre of this gigantic Mandapam is the Stone Charriot.

Currently this Mandapa is undergoing repairs and was empty. It was serene and evokes deep love for our Ancestors who took great pains in constructing such a marvel.

The Garuda Mandapam with its massive statue of Garuda installd in year 1415 is made of copper, which replaced the original one destroyed in the Muslim invasions.

The massive pillars, the carvings on outer wall of the Garuda sanctum with Kumbha Pancharam and Telugu script.

In the same Garuda Mandapam are statues of some of the great Nayaka kings (Such as Chokkanatha Nayaka: 1706-1732)

Notice the shoulders with marks of Vishnu Namam, folded hands, with moustaches and above all with a sword, ready to defend the Dharma, yet great Bhakthas of Lord

Now the Mother, Ranganayaki Temple.

No less grand than her Husband's

Right in front of Mothers Temple is Kamban Mandapam. The great Kamban who has given the world the Tamil Ramayanam has first read his Ramayanam right here in front of assembled priests and Pandits (Probably 13th century)

The Temple has mention in Sangam literature and most of the Alwars have sung about Ranganatha, conservatively puts the date to 4000 BC (Not the dates given by Indologist scholars, but as per Tradition)

The 10 verses by Tiruppan Alwar describes reclining Ranga from feet to head.

Earliest Inscriptions are from Chola king Parantaka:907 AD

In about 1137 comes the great Vaishnava Guru and Acharya Sri Ramanuja. Udayavar settled in Srirangam and recast its Temple administration.

Followed by Pandyas who poured gifts and built many buildings inside the Temple

The 1311 raid by Khilji's sex slave Malik Kafur,the Temple was sacked, statues and Treasures carried off to Delhi.
Yet again in 1323 armies of Tughlak attacked it, fortunately this time statues were moved to Tirumala temple and kept there for almost 50 years.

Ranga Mandapam:

As God Send comes the Vijayanagara Empire. Their armies reconqured the region and liberated the Temple.

Kumara Kampana army commander of Vijayanagara killing last of Madurai Sultunate kings whose atrocities on local Tamil population recorder by Ibn Batuta are stomach churning.

A side note,during Vijayanagara rule there were differences with Temple administration and Kings wardens where Ramanujas code was abolished.A number of Temple priests committed suicide as protest by jumping off Vellai Gopuram.

This made the King intervene in favor of the Temple.

The different hair styles of women carved on pillars right behind the 6th prakara.

After defeat of Vijayanagara, the Nayaka kings of Madurai and Tanjavore took over and lavished gifts on the Temple (Just as they did for Madurai Temple)

Note: Did we read about Nayaka Kings in our History books? But I recall reading chapters about Tuglaq and other barbarians

Later comes other invaders who attacked Srirangam. such as
1. Nizam of Hyderabad
2. Nawab of Arcot
3. Hyder Ali
4. His son and "secular" barbarian Tipu Sultan

And to English East India Company and finally now under another occupation: Govt of India.

Those who have attacked Srirangam are now History, their brutal ways may have effected the Temple for a short while,but our great Kings of yore rebuilt it each time and protected our Dharma.We all must be indebted to them.

The Vimana of our Lord stands strong and will do so.