Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, also known as SriRangam, is notable for many reasons. It is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, covering an area on 156 acres. It is first and foremost among the 108 temples known as "Divya Desams", temples visited and glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil literature canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It also boasts the largest gopuram (temple tower) at 237 feet.
It also happens that SriRangam has special astrological significance, and is known as "Sukrasthalam." Prayers to Lord Ranganathar on Fridays can alleviate problems with one's natal Venus, also known as "Venus Dosha."
Sukran is the planet which denotes all decorative items known as Alangara such as cosmetics, dresses, ornaments, sandals used in our life. Srirangam is the only temple where one could see the sandals (padhukas) of lord Sri Ranganathar in a storage place known as Kottaram nearby Dhanyalakshmi sannathi inside the temple. It is believed that Lord Sri Ranganatha regularly uses these sandals made by a cobbler, who makes it with due prayers for 48 days penance while observing strict viradam in the banks of river Kaveri, after the Lord himself gives them the measurement in the sands on the river bed. One could notice that those sandals undergoes wear and tear after some time, to prove that Sri Ranganather wear and use these sandals (divine padukas), walking inside the temple. These sandals are replaced every year by devotees. It is noteworthy to mention that Sri Desikan rendered versues known as slokams of 'Sri Ranganathar sahasram' in 1000 versues in praise the divinity of sacred sandals (divine padhukas) of Sri Ranganathar.
Here are some other ways in which SriRangam corresponds to Venus or Sukran, as per Kundandaiamudhan:
SriRangam is also associated with Revati Nakshatra. Lord Ranganathar's birth star is Revathi in Meena rasi (Moon sign as Pisces) in which Sukran is exalted.
Srirangam is also known as "boga mandapam." Venus is known ss the "boga karakan," or cause of enjoyment.
Srirangam has the biggest and tallest Garudan, and the bird Garudan represents Sukra. While Sukran's bird is given as Garuda, his animal is given as crocodile(makara.
The main idol, known as Moolavar, Sri Ranganathar put his feets on a lotus flower while reclining on the spiraling coils of Adisesha. The Lotus flower is the identified with and is a favorite of Venus.
Below is a recording of the Sri Ranganathar Stotram sung by P.B Srinivas:
You can find the text to this stotram here and with english translation here.
I interpret my first journey to India as an astrological pilgrimage that would confirm my cosmic identity as an astrologer through ritual, and expand my knowledge through study with revered masters. It was also a whirlwind introduction to some of the most important temples in India.
I had decided to go to South India first, specifically to request an audience master of Jaimini Astrology, Sri Iranganti Rangacharya in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, do Giri Valam at Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai and to do the yatra of the Nava Graha Temples near Kumbakonam.
There seems to be a pretty ancient, but not well known astrological aspect to the temples and you can even use the chart to find your Ishta Devata or personal Jyotirlinga. You may already know about these techniques. I became a Shiva bhakta, and specifically Jyotirlinga worshiper, during that same journey to the Nava Graha Sthanams.
What brought about my first journey to India was the fact that I didn't like my Solar Return for Thailand, where I was living at the time. I decided to go to India for a month. My birthday would fall within that month. I started in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, as I wanted to have an audience with Smt. Iranganti Rangacharya, one of the leading scholars on Jaimini Astrology. After Hyderabad I was going to start my temple pilgrimage with Srisailam and then move south to Kumbakonam. However, there was a general strike in Andhra so it was suggested that I go to Tamil Nadu first. I wasn't sure where to go, but the maid at the house where I was staying was a virtual encyclopedia regarding temples. She knew all of them! Even the small ones in tiny villages! She was amazing! I had told her that I was interested in Shakti Peethams - I had been to Kalighat already since I had flown into Kolkata. She suggested Kanchipuram, "Many temples, too big, too beautiful....Shakti Peet!" I decided to take her suggestion and took the train to Chennai and a bus to Kanchipuram. My birthday is January 1, and I arrived in Kanchi on the night of the 31st. On the morning of my birthday I received darshan of Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Devi, Sri Varadaraja Perumal and, most importantly Lord Shiva as Ekambareshwarar at Ekambaranathar Temple. Something happened to me on regarding the lingam that I still can't put into words, but an exchange of some sort happened. I then went to Tiruvannamalai. I was looking for temples where I could propitiate Sani to help my 2nd house - Dhanus Lagna, and found information about Arunachala Hill and how it is a manifestation of Lord Shiva. I wanted to do Giri Pradakshina there around the hill and also receive Darshan of Lord Annamailayar. Ekambaranthar and Annamailayar temples were the two most impressive temples that I had ever seen or experienced, and I soon found out that these temples were two of the five Pancha Bhootha Sthanams, where Shiva is worshipped as the five elements. I arrived on the evening of my birthday and had darshan of Lord Shiva. Annamailayar temple is where Lord Shiva is worshiped as fire, and in the garbagraha there is space for about 15 people to sit and revere lord Shiva up close. That little room was intensely hot, like a sauna, and I assure you that there is nothing in that room to heat it except the presence of the Lingam itself. I did Giri Pradakshina around Arunachala the next day and left for Kumbakonam the day after, at which time I embarked on the yatra that about which I have written previously.
From Kumbakonam I went back to Hyderabad, and then to SriSailam, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. It is usually placed second on the list of importance, after Somnath in Gujarat. The mystical energy was palpable there, especially at night - I arrived at 2am. I stayed for 3 days and had many darshans. Booklets are always sold telling the myths and legends connected with the temples, and I found myself ruminating on the fact that there were 12 of them. Of course, my next thought, as an astrologer, was "I wonder if they correspond to the Rasis?" Which of course they do.
I have included a listing of the Rasis that correspond to each Jyotirlinga Temple along with the mantra for worship. To worship or propitiate a planet, use the temple that represents the planet's exaltation rasi:
Aries (exaltation of sun) rameshwaram
“om namah shivaya namah rameshwaraya”
It turned out that SriSailam represented the sign Virgo, which is my Arudha Lagna and Lord Buddha is my Atmakaraka. Of course, Buddha is exalted in Virgo so it turned out that I was worshiping my own Atma Linga! This began my love/obsession for Lord Shiva and the quest to find and visit my personal Jyotirlinga.
As an astrologer, one of my dreams is to lead other astrologers on this pilgrimage to the Navagraha Temples around Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.
Nava Graha is the sanskrit term for the 7 classical planets Moon to Saturn and the two "shadow planets" Rahu and Ketu, also know as the North and South Node. There are a cluster of temples dating from the Chola period (10th to 13th centuries) around Kumbakonam. 8 of them are actually Shiva temples. The Surya temple is the only one that is dedicated to the Graha itself.
While others see things like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Qutb Minar and the City Palace of Jaipur on their first journey to India, I went all the way to the southeastern tip of India to do this pilgrimage.
To understand why, I should explain that India has the longest unbroken astrological tradition in the world. This astrological world view believes in an active Anima Mundi, or soul of the world, that recognizes, works with and acts upon us in response as we recognize,work with and act upon it. This is major aspect of hindu thought as well, where one performs homams, yagnas or pujas for certain results. As we participate with this force, it reciprocates and answers us. Part of this tradition includes assigning what are called "remedial measures" or remedies for problems in the natal chart. This can be done by doing things like wearing gemstones, repeating mantras, using yantras, or even doing mundane tasks like feeding a black dog. Making a pilgrimage to the Navagraha temples is also a form of remedial measure that gives a boost to the entire birth chart, as the pilgrim receives "darshan" of all of the planets.
Darshan means "to view", and the thing that I learned when on this pilgrimage was that, by receiving Darshan, I wasn't just getting to view the deity, the deity also got to view me and take note of my respect and devotion.
The journey was wonderful and scenic, especially at 6 am when we started out. Most of these temples are in small villages surrounding Kumbakonam, and the scenery is replete with Coconut trees and lush foliage. The temples are all in Southern Dravidian style. A few of them, like the Vaitheeswaram Koil, are archtecturally important with beautiful sculptures.
A few of these temple experiences are worth noting. Most astrologers know that the planets have significations, or things that they represent. For instance, the Moon represents the color white. At the Chandra(Moon)shrine in Thingaloor, my driver and I were offered round white sweets. Mercury rules young people, and all of the pujaris at the Bhuda(Mercury)shrine in Thiruvenkadu were young boys. But I had the most amazing experience at Vaitheeswaram Koil, which is an extremely famous and powerful temple in it's own right. Vaitheeswaram Koil houses the Angkara(Mars) shrine. Mars rules war, contentions and the letting of blood. After taking off my shoes before entering the temple I immediately stubbed my toe, drawing blood. I hadn't even entered yet and walked into the temple with my bloody foot, realizing that the presence of Mars was permeating this entire site. The Angkara shrine was crowded with many pilgrims from all over India, and as I drew nearer I realized that all of them were arguing intensely!!! Mars was most certainly present in that place!
As I mentioned, Vaitheeswaram Koil is a famous and important temple in it's own right. The site is also famous for a particular style of astrological reading called Nadi. These readings use your thumb print in order to find Nadi leaves that correspond to the print. The astrologer then does a reading based on what the leaves say. I didn't have a Nadi reading while I was there because I had heard that there are many charlatans there who just want to take your money, but I have since heard about a few reputable astrologers there who are supposed to be the real thing.
Kumbakonam is easily reached by train and bus from Chennai and most other towns in Tamil Nadu. By the way, for non-vegetarians, I had one of the best Biryanis that I have ever tasted in Thirunallar, while waiting to get into the Sani (Saturn) Temple.
