Srirangam Temple, Tiruchirapalli – Tamilnadu
Srirangam is famous for its Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus and the largest temple complex in India. The temple complex is 156 acres (0.63 km2) in extent. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor.
The temple has seven prakaras (elevated enclosures) with gopurams articulating the axial path, the highest at the outermost prakara and the lowest at the innermost. In historic times, just after the construction of this temple, the city of Srirangam lived completely within the walls of this temple and hence is quoted as an example of Hindu religious utopia during its peak of existence.
There is a gopuram fully made of gold, which is protected by electrical fence. Clothes such as Silk Saree, Dhoti, Towels, etc, are used for religious purposes are auctioned here and inside the temple compound, there is a separate temple for the goddess Andal. Additionally, there is a museum, a library and a bookshop. Srirangam can be considered the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world, as it covers an area of about 631,000 square meters (6,790,000 sq ft) with a perimeter of 4 km (10,710 ft).
There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. The temple town lies on an islet formed by the Twin Rivers Cauvery and Coleroon. Sirangam also called as Thiruvarangam is one of the few temples which are always being crowded by devotees.