Ranganayaki 2 moolavars

When people have darshan of Srirangam Thayar, the Pandari Swamy at the sannidhi tells us that the utsavar is Ranganayaki, and the first moolavar Thayar is Sri Devi, and the second moolavar Thayar is Bhudevi. However, there are two moolavars of Sri Devi Thayar in the same sannidhi. The presence of two moolavars is due to historical events during the invasion by Muslim rulers.

When the invasion occurred, the original moolavar (located at the back) was hidden by erecting a stone wall to protect the idol from destruction by the invaders. In its place, another moolavar was installed. After 48 years, when the temple was reclaimed and renovated, prayers were offered to the new moolavar since no one knew about the old moolavar. Many people had died fighting against the invaders, while others had left the town, resulting in a lack of knowledge about the original moolavar.

After a few years, an aryar realized that there was a stone wall and room behind the new moolavar. He made this discovery while tapping his cymbals during the recitation of pasurams (hymns), as the vibrations of the cymbals passed through a small hole behind the moolavar's wall, echoed, and came back. Subsequently, they broke down the wall and found the original moolavar hidden in a stone room behind it. From that day onwards, there have been two moolavars in the Srirangam Thayar sannidhi.

                                                                                  Ranganayaki

The new moolavar and utsavar  

Notice the original moolavar in the background