Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
In 1851 AD‚ Śrī Lakṣmīcanda Seṭh built this temple at the expense of 4.5 million rupees. Following the style of the famous Śrī Raṅgam Temple in South India, Śrī Raṅgajī presides in the main temple within many walls, with Lakṣmī-devī massaging His feet. At the eastern gate of the temple is a huge Garuḍa-stambha, which is completely covered with gold leaf. The general public call it Sone kā Tāla-vṛkṣa, “The Golden Palm Tree”. Near the main entrance, in the north, is a pond. Yearly on Baladeva-pūrṇimā, the pastime of the fight between the elephant Gajendra and the crocodile is displayed in this pond, with Śrī Hari protecting the surrendered elephant. Near the western door is a huge chariot, upon which Śrī Raṅgajī rides on special occasions.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The Rangaji Mandira is one of Vrindavana’s largest temples built in the traditional South Indian style in 1851 by the family of the wealthy Mathura merchant Lakshmi Chand Seth. The Seths were originally Jains, but were converted to Vaishnava Dharma by one of the acharyas of the Ramanuja sampradaya. The temple has been constructed on a very grand style at a great expense. The sixty foot high Garuda-stambha at the entrance to the shrine is covered with pure gold plate. The temple is reminiscent of the original Rangaji temple at Trichy in Tamil Nadu and there are many artifacts in pure gold of Southern Indian origin that can be seen in the temple.
The presiding Deity in this temple is Seshashayi Vishnu, the form of Lord Vishnu reclining on the celestial serpent Sesha Naga. The temple is famous for the annual ten-day Brahmotsava celebration held from Chaitra Krishna-dvitiya (two days after Holi) and also a Ratha-yatra festival held on Chaitra Krishna-ashtami that attracts large crowds from the Vraja region. During the festival a pure sandalwood chariot carrying the main temple Deity is taken of Lord Ranganatha is taken in procession to the Rangaji Bagh Gardens. There is also a famous kunda at the rear of the temple known as Gajaraja-kunda where the pastime of Gajendra-mokshana, the liberation of Gajendra, the king of elephants, is celebrated during the month of Shravana (July-August).
