Where is Hindus’ biggest famous temple present and covering its

area in acres, but not in India?

Amol Patil

There are issues in defining the biggest famous temple of the world - whether it is functioning or
not.

There are issues in defining Hindu. Hinduism is a term of recent origin referring all major
religions collectively in the sub continent. There are distinct sects identifiable like Saivism,
Vaishnavism, Sakthas etc.

Read the following which will address certain extent.

Angkor Wat- Biggest Non Functioning temple of the world:

1.The biggest temple of the world is Angkor Wat.

2. It is a Vishnu Temple in Cambodia, It is Cambodia’s attraction for visitors. It appear on

Cambodia’s national flag since 1863.

3.It was earlier known as Varaha Vishnu lokam.

4. It is a non functioning temple, spread over 402 acres.

5. It is started by Surya Varman and completed by Jaya Varman VI of Khmer Empire in 12th
Century.

6.They break from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings and constructed a temple for Vishnu.

7. Lost to Budhdhism in 13 th century and become a non functioning.

8. It is designed to represent Mount Meru- home of the devas.

9. It is oriented towards West.

Now in India,

Thiruvarangam (Sri Rangam island) Biggest Functioning Temple of the world:

1.The biggest functioning temple of the world is Ranganathaswamy Temple in Sri Rangam
Island (Thiruvarangam), and a part of Tiruchirappally, in Tamil Nadu.
2. It is , again a Vishnu Temple, belong to Sri Vaishnava Thenkalai Tradition. (Sri or Thiru
means Lakshmi, ie inclusive of Maha Lakshmi and Thenkalai is head quartered in Nanguneri)

The temple Spread over 156 acres.

3.The temple was built by Chola Empires Dharma Cholan and continued by Killivalavan-
Shrine, basic foundtions and main bulidings.

4.But the life is not easy. Like Angkor Wat, Sri Rangam was also affected by invasions. But the
help came from Tirupati Venkateswara to restore and excel.

5.When Malik Kafur invaded Sri Rangam, Madurai, Kanchi in 1323. The temple was defended
and according to the Tamil tradition some 13,000 Sri Vaishnavas devotees of Srirangam, died in
the fierce battle. Hoysalas try to liberate Madurai but their king Ballala was killed in a battle.
Finally Vijayanagara Emperors liberated, Kanchi, Sri Rangam and Madurai.

6.It took over 200 years (1335 till 1565) to rebuild the temple by Vijayanagara Kings, Madurai
Naickers and Thanjavur Naickers.(Bukkaraya, Kumara Kampanna…Lakka Naicker, Chevvappa
Naicker………Krishna Devaraya, Achuta Raya) The list is endless.

Some Facts:

1. It is the largest functioning Temple in the world covering 156 acres.

2.It has seven concentric wall structures called praharams and 21 temple towers and over 50
shrines.

The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple has seven concentric prakaras or walls or enclosures. The total
length of these thick walls that create these enclosures is 32,592 feet and run round the sanctum
sanctorum. This makes it the only temple in India to have seven enclosures. Seven is regarded as
an auspicious number by present day Vaishnava believers. According to them seven number
either represents the seven centers of Yoga or the seven elements which make the human body
with its center being occupied by the soul.

3.Its RajaGopuram of 240 feet tall is the tallest in Asia. There are 21 gateways to enter.

4.It is also one of the self manifested shrines of Sri Vishnu.

5. It is the major pilgrimage destination of Sri Vaishnavites.

6. It is the first among the 108 Divyadesams of Lord Vishnu.

105 temples out of these 108 are located in India, one in Nepal and two are supposed to be
located beyond Earthly realms - Thriupparkadal and Vaikundam.

Sri Rangam is considered as Boologa Vaikundam.

7.Sri Rangam is famous for Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. (Antya Ranga)
8.There are three Ranganathaswamy temples - Adi Ranga in Sri Ranga Pattinam -Madhya Ranga
in ShivanaSamudra.

9.· Non-hindus are not allowed to enter the gold topped sanctum sanctorum and their entry is
restricted to the second prakaram.

10.Tipu, Son of Hyder Ali attacked again, demanding 1 lakh gold coin. This time 500
vaishnavites specially trained to defend averted the attack and Tipu was forced to withdraw
forces without any success.

Biggest Temple of the World is existing for over 8 centuries or more not due to kings who loved
art, construction, architect. The temple’s Gopurams had a tough time to stand Tall pointing to the
sky because of over 13000 vaishnavites who sacrified their lives, devotees who carried
Ranganathar to Tirupati, the kings who constructed the temple over 230 years of continuity and
the forces who defended Tipu and the British.
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