Ranganathaswamy Temple

The temple that gave Srirangapatna its name — one of the sacred Pancharanga Kshetras of Lord Vishnu on the Kaveri.

Sanctum Built

817 – 894 AD

Deity

Lord Ranganatha (Vishnu)

Status

Adiranga — first Pancharanga Kshetra

River

Kaveri

The Adiranga of the Kaveri

Srirangapatna takes its name from this temple, one of Karnataka's oldest, whose inner sanctum was first built in 817 AD by a woman named Hambi and completed in 894 AD when Ganga dynasty king Thirumalaraya added its mukha mantapa and mahadwara. The temple enshrines Lord Ranganatha — Vishnu reclining on the seven-hooded serpent Adishesha — with Goddess Lakshmi at his feet.

It is revered as the Adiranga, the first and holiest of the three Pancharanga Kshetras strung along the Kaveri: Adiranga here at Srirangapatna, Madhyaranga downstream at Shivanasamudra, and Antyaranga far away at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. The temple complex also holds shrines to Srinivasa, Ranganayaki, Rama, Narasimha and Gopala Krishna.

Because Srirangapatna itself grew up around this temple, the shrine sits at the centre of a wider cluster of historic sites — the island fort, Tipu Sultan's summer palace at Daria Daulat Bagh, and the Gumbaz mausoleum are all within easy walking or short driving distance, making Ranganathaswamy Temple a natural starting point for exploring the town.

One Short Trip | Ranganathaswamy Temple 3

Why Visit

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Ranganatha on Adishesha

Vishnu reclining on the seven-hooded serpent, with Lakshmi at his feet

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The First Pancharanga

Adiranga — the holiest of the three Pancharanga Kshetras on the Kaveri

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A 9th-Century Sanctum

Begun in 817 AD, completed by Ganga king Thirumalaraya in 894 AD

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Town Centre

Gave Srirangapatna its name and remains its spiritual heart

How Ranganatha Came to the Kaveri

The Ranganatha idol is tied to a well-known Vaishnava legend: it was originally worshipped by King Ikshvaku, an ancestor of Lord Rama, having been given to him by Brahma. Generations later, Rama gifted the same idol to Vibhishana, the righteous brother of Ravana, after the events of the Ramayana, as a reward for his loyalty during the war in Lanka.

Vibhishana carried the idol toward Lanka, but tradition holds that it was set down at Srirangam along the way and could not be moved again, becoming permanently enshrined there as the Antaranga. The idea of the Pancharanga Kshetras — sister shrines to Ranganatha along the Kaveri's course, including this Adiranga temple at Srirangapatna — grew out of that same devotional tradition, each site considered a link in the same sacred chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this temple called Adiranga?+

It is the first of the three Pancharanga Kshetras dedicated to Lord Ranganatha along the Kaveri — Adiranga here, Madhyaranga at Shivanasamudra, and Antaranga at Srirangam.

How old is the temple?+

Its inner sanctum dates to 817 AD, with major additions completed by 894 AD under Ganga king Thirumalaraya.

What is the legend behind the idol?+

It's linked to a Vaishnava legend tracing back to King Ikshvaku and later gifted by Rama to Vibhishana, with Srirangam becoming its final resting place after it couldn't be moved further.

Is there an entry fee?+

No, entry is free, though the temple closes at midday between morning and evening puja hours.

Is the temple inside Srirangapatna Fort?+

Yes, it sits within the fort premises and gives the town its name.

What else can I visit nearby?+

Gumbaz-e-Shahi, Daria Daulat Bagh, and Karighatta are all within a short distance.