Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, Magadi, Karnataka: Primarily built by the Chola and Vijayanagara Dynasties

Magadi Ranganatha temple, KA
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Magadi Ranganatha temple, KA Trawell.in

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At the popular  Sri Ranganatha temple of Magadi, Karnataka that is located  atop  a hill called Tirumale the presiding deity in the garbhagriha (sanctum)  is lord Vishnu in  standing posture, similar to the ones in Tirupati. Andhra and Oppiliappan  Kovil near  Kumbakonam city, Tamil Nadu.At many Vishnu temples, lord Ranganatha is in reclining posture (Ananada sayanam). Magadi is about 44 km from Bengaluru.

The real name of this temple is Paschima Venkatachalapthi temple,  however it is  referred  to as Ranganatha  temple due to the presence of a small image of Ranganatha on the temple wall. When Tipu Sultan was in power, he was after many Hindu temples except Ranganatha temple. So, the  temple was called Ranganatha  temple.

It was the  Chola ruler  first  constructed  the  sanctum and other structure near them in the12th  CE and  first consecrated the deity. After  the construction of  the inner most  sanctuary the temple  underwent  many  renovations and  expansions.

From the   stone inscription on a Garuda sthamba (Garuda pillar) in front of the temple, it  is  inferred that  the tall decorative Gopurams (towers) were added by the famous Vijayanagara empire King Krishnadeva Raya in 1524 A.D. The main  idol's attributes  like Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Abhaya mudra in the  four arms seem to suggest Vijayanagara influence. Later   contributions were also made by the Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar.

The Ranganatha temple complex is made of  many shrines -  sannadhis  for deities like  Rama, Sita, Anjaneya, Lakshmi, Venugopala Krishna and Ranganatha According  to the  legend  or  sthala purana the main deity (Ranganatha) was consecrated  by the great  sage Mandavya lending the location the name "Mandavya Kshetra" (abode of Manavya). 

Step well (pond)Ranganatha temple,Magadi, KA
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Like  many Hindu  temples of  South  India, the Dravida architecture  style  is followed  here as  revealed  by the  tall  many tiered Gopura  with kumbas atop and spacious prakara.  The stone pillars in the temple have attractive sculptures in relief. On either side of the temple entrance are two large colorful images of elephants.There is a step-well (Pushkarani) near the temple  meant  for many  temple rituals.