SRIRANGAM

But on the way, tempted by the enhancing beauty of the island formed by the two branches of Cauvery, he desired to feast his eyes for a while enjoying its ethereal beauty.  He forget then, the promise-made to Rama.  Placing it on the ground he moved about for some time.  Returning, he tried to lift it but could not.  He used all his energy and powers, but failed. Moreover it grew in size at his attempt to raise it from the ground. Leaving it there with instructions to the locals to worship it for emancipation, he left.  There is another version of the same with of concrete proof atop the Rock fort, situated in the heart of the city.

According to it, Vibhishan entrusted the image to a boy to hold it in his hands till he returned from answering the calls of nature. Though accepted, the boy placed it on the ground shouting that it was too heavy to bear it in his hands. Later Vibhishana's trials to lift it failed.  He grew angry and hit the boy on head.  That boy was, in fact, Ganapathy now adored in the temple atop the Rock fort, who only obeyed the bidding of the highest gods.  The despaired Vibhishan consoled himself praying from his Lankarajya regularly. And it is for this, the entrance is facing the south. Since then it is being worshipped with unprecedented enthusiasm, for this Lord began showering boons on his adorers lavishly.  The ruling class endowed it in several ways and made it a great Vaishnavate pilgrimage centre, the like of which is not found anywhere in India.  Hence their pronouncement with pride that a sacred shrine of this eminence popularly known as Bhuvaikuntam did not exist in the past, nor future will succeed irk creating a similar one of its magnitude. To be true, what Jerusalam is to Christians, Srirangam is to Vaishnavates  

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