Rangnath Temple Pushkar

Rangnath Temple in Pushkar is the largest and most imposing of the modern temples in the town. It is situated at the entrance to Pushkar and belongs to the Sri Vaishnava sect of Hindus, which was founded by Sri Ramanujacharya in the 11th century CE. The Vaishnavas and the Shaivas, the worshippers of Vishnu and Shiva, are the two principal sects to which most Hindus belong. Vaishnavism is further divided into four sub-sects or Sampradayas: the Shri Vaishnava, the Vallabh, the Madhva, and the Nimbarka.

History and Sectarian Background

• Shri Vaishnava Sampradaya: Founded by Sri Ramanujacharya, born in 1016 AD in Bhutpuri, Madras (now Chennai) Presidency, who preached in Shrirangam near Trichinopoly. Shrirangam remains the principal seat of this sect.
• Vallabh Sampradaya: Founded by Vallabhacharya, with its chief seat now in Nathdwara near Udaipur in Rajputana.
• Madhva Sampradaya: Founded by Madhvacharya, with its center in South India.
• Nimbarka Sampradaya: Originated in Northern India, with its chief seat now in Salemabad in the Kishangarh State in Rajasthan.

Old and New Rangnath Temples in Pushkar

Pushkar houses two temples of the Ramanuja or Shri Vaishnava creed:

1. Sri Rama Vaikuntha Temple:
   • Belongs to the Jayakhyam branch of Ramanuja Vaishnavism.
   • The viman (tower) over the inner temple was built according to the rules of architecture given in the Jayakhyam Samhita.
   • The idol in this temple is known as Paramurti.
   • Contains signs of 361 gods or Devatas.
   • Features a golden Garuda Dhwaja Khambha, representing Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, which is worshipped during the early Mahotsava for ten days.
2. Rangji-ka-Mandir (Rangnath Temple):
   • Belongs to the Paushkara branch of Ramanuja Vaishnavism.
   • The viman is built of stone and contains signs of 361 gods or Devatas.
   • The outer Gopuram (gateway tower), built over the principal entrance, is made of brick and mortar with elaborate carvings done by South Indian masons.
   • At the four corners of the temple, there are images of Garuda, indicating its Vaishnava affiliation.

Architectural and Ritualistic Differences

• The Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya is divided into three principal branches: Jayakhyam, Satavata, and Paushkara, based on their sacred literature, the Pancharatra Samhitas.
• The Sri Rama Vaikuntha temple follows the Jayakhyam Samhita, which is considered original and orthodox with rituals performed wholly in Sanskrit.
• The Rangji-ka-Mandir follows the Paushkara Samhita with rituals in both Sanskrit and Tamil, aimed at reaching the Tamil-speaking masses.

Associated Temples within the Complex

The Sri Rama Vaikuntha temple complex includes one principal temple called Vaikuntha Venkatesh and eight other temples:

1. Lakshmiji Temple: Dedicated to the first wife of Bhagwan.
2. Godambaji Temple: Dedicated to the second wife of Bhagwan.
3. Raghunath Ji Temple
4. Srirangnath Bhagwan Temple
5. Sudarshan Bhagwan Temple: Illustrates the Sudarshana Chakra.
6. Ramanuj Mandir
7. Vedantdeshik Temple: Dedicated to Vedantdeshik, who revived the Ramanuja cult four hundred years after its foundation.

Significance

The Rangnath Temple in Pushkar stands as a testament to the architectural and spiritual heritage of the Sri Vaishnava tradition, offering insights into the rich cultural and religious history of Vaishnavism in India.