The life of Sri Ramanujar, great philosopher of Srivaishnavism, testifies to Lord Ranganathar's love and compassion to his devotees. What once housed a mandapam was later converted in to the shrine dedicated to Sri Ramanujar. Legend has it that the holy remains of Sri Ramanujar is being preserved here with periodical atoning of ‘kumkumapoo' and ‘patchaikarpuram'. The ritual is performed in the Tamil months of Chithrai and Ayippasi every year and lasts for about six hours.
The fact that neither oil (thailakappu) nor water is used for the religious rituals of the idol indicates that only Sri Ramanujar's holy remains is being preserved at the sanctum sanctorum. Sri Ramanujar is in the ‘artha padmasanam' posture, keeping the right leg on the left leg. The left hand is on the right leg and the right hand is in the ‘gnana mudra' form.
Sri Ramanujar in his Sriranga Gadhyam, establishes that Srirangam is the right place on earth for the people to get salvation (Booloka Vaikuntam). Legend has it that Sri Ramanujar, during ‘Panguni Uthiram', had obtained the divine sanction for ‘moksham' or liberation from Lord Ranganathar. As the boon would be effective only after his demise, Sri Ramanujar politely asked Lord Ranganathar to show him the place where he should stay and spend the rest of his life till his death, Lord Ranganathar advised him to stay at Srirangam itself. The Acharya also composed two other Gadhyams, Saranagathi Gadhyam and Vaikunta Gadhyam.
Sri Ramanujar took every care to ensure proper maintenance of Srirangam temple. It was this great religious leader who established the rituals being followed in Srirangam and all other Srivaishnavite temples. He used to visit the store room and ensure its hygienic maintenance.
