Ranganatha
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Ranganatha, also known as Sri Ranganatha, Ranganathar, or Ranga, is a Hindu deity, more well-known in South India. The deity is a resting form of Lord Vishnu, one of the foremost of Hindu Gods. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi, also known as Ranganayaki, Thayar (mother in Tamil). Most of the deities portray a 'smiling' lord in a reclining position over the celestial serpent Adisesha. This is the form in which he is open to listening to all of his devotee's woes, and blesses them. Apart from being worshipped by all Hindus, this form is of particular importance to the Sri Vaishnava community.[citation needed]
One of the most sacred of Ranganatha temples is at Srirangam. Of the 108 Divya Desams (sacred places of worship of Lord Vishnu), Ranganatha or the reclining posture of the God can be found in many temples. They include Thirumayyam, Thirukoshtiyur, Koviladi, Kapisthalam, Thiruneermalai, Tiruvallur and Srivilliputhur.
The three sacred Ranganatha temples on the banks of the Kaveri River are popularly known as:
- Adi Ranga - at Srirangapatna
- Madhya Ranga - at Shivanasamudram
- Antya Ranga - Srirangam
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