Rockfort Temple - Srirangam Temple - Trichy, Tamilnadu
Tiruchirapalli or Trichy is rich in cultural heritage and the monuments of this city lure the travelers from all around the world. Though the city boasts of many spectacular temples and churches but there are two temples in Trichy that are of huge religious and architectural importance. These temples are Rockfort Temple and Srirangam Temple or the Shri Ranganathaswamy temple.
Mythology
According to Hindu Mythology, once the Demon Ravana abducted Sita, wife of Lord Rama. Vibhishana, who was one of the brothers of Ravana helped Rama in war against Ravana. Finally Rama killed Ravana and celebrated the victory. As a token of love, Rama gifted a Vigraham (an idol of Vishnu) to Vibhishana. Even though he had helped Rama in war against Ravana, Devas did not like Rama giving him the idol as after all he was a demon himself. So they worshipped Lord Ganesha for help. Lord Ganesha disguised as a cowherd boy went to Vibhishana. However, Vibhishana on his way back, wanted to take a bath in the river Kaveri. While he was taking bath, Lord Ganesha kept the idol firmly in the ground from where it cannot be moved. Seeing this Vibhishana got angry and ran after Ganesha and on the top of a hill Ganesha revealed himself and Vibhishana immediately apologized and went back to Lanka. The place where the idol of Vishnu was kept on the sand is today's Shri Ranganathaswamy temple and where Lord Ganesha revealed his identity is today's Rockfort Temple.
Architecture
Rockfort Temple is designed in a Dravidian way and is carved out of a hill. It is 83 m tall and is actually dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. On the top the Ganesha temple is situated while in the middle there is Shiva Temple with a Shiva Lingam in it. It took 11 years to the architects and artisans to complete the temple. Shri Ranganathaswamy temple is comparatively new and reflects Tamilian architecture. It comprises of many shines, halls and 21 Gopurams. Beautiful images of Hindu deities and legends can be seen on the walls of Rockfort Temple.
