History Jatavarma Madurai
The temple of SRIRANGAM is an important place in religious INDIA, as most active place of VAISHNAVISM that flourished in south during 7th-13th centuries. The place is referred in ancient tamil works Silappadikaram (3rd century), Nalayaram (7th century).

Prehistoric
Chola and Alwars
Hoyasala kings
Jataverma Madurai
Malik Kafur
Vijayanagar Kings
Nayak rajas-Hyderali
East India company
 

JATAVERMA SUNDARA PANDYA (1251-58)
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Jataverma, Pandya king of MADURAI also gave sumptuous gifts, built many buildings and also covered many parts in temple with gold. He is famous as HEMACHANDANA raja meaning the king who covered temple with GOLD.

Jataverma has built a sanctuary for Ranganatha, Vishvaksena, another sanctuary for Vishnu, a gopura dedicated to Lord Narasimha, THREE vimanas inside temple, a big hall preperation of PRASADAM (sacred food ). All these buildings and entire second prakaram are covered fully with GOLD. The king also gave image of SESHA, Golden Halo, a jeweled golden pedastral, jewelled gold makarantorana, golden image of Garuda. He covered image of RANGANATHA with ornaments, jewels, garland of emaralds, crown of jewels, garland of pearls, dias of pearls, golden garment, golden car, golden vases and vessels.

ABOVE ALL THE KING HAD TWO BOATS OF SAME SIZE ON KAVERI RIVER. ON ONE OF THE BOATS HE MOUNTED HIMSELF OVER THE ROYAL ELEPHANT. ON THE OTHER BOAT POURED GOLD AND JEWELS UNTIL THAT SANK TO THE SAME LEVEL OF WATERLINE . He donated entire wealth to the temple. He also made image of Lord bearing his name.

Almost 25 years later (1292) in the reign of Maravarman Kulasekhara Pandyan (1268-1308), MARCO POLO was struck by the splendour and opulence.