SRIRANGAM

ANTIQUITY 

The legendary account of this place transports us to Brahmaloka, when Brahma was worshipping this self-same idol in the distant past Brahma's faith in the Omnipotence of this Lord was so boundless that he was worshipping him with utmost fervour regularly.  King Ikshvaku, when he visited Brahmaloka heard of its mahima.  On listening to the efficacy of worship to this Lord, he prayed to Brahma he granting it as gift to utilizing its grace for Viswakalayana.  Convinced with the ideal, Brahma gave it to him. Installing it in Ayodhya - his capital city he was offering daily prayers for bliss. He enjoyed it. It became the family deity later on and generation after generation offered prayers with faith infinite and ardor exemplary.

When Rama, the Seventh incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu ascended the throne he continued the regular worship with redoubled zeal.  After Ravanasamhara, he brought to Ayodhya Vibhishana, Hanuma, Sugriva, his principal allies during the war in Lanka. Before going back, Vibhishana humbly implored Rama to present that invaluable Vigraha as memento to introducing this cult in Lanka Rajya for Lokasanti.  The last word Lokasanti moved him deep and so he accepted to part with it on one condition that it should not be placed on the ground anywhere any time on the way.  Vibhishana nodded and promised to abide by the condition.

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