Description about Sri Rangam Vimanam

Question

Why is it called Pranava Akara Vimanam?

Does it have any scriptural backing or just hearsay and Sthala Puranam?

this article the Vimanam of SriRangam is called Pranavakara Vimanam.

I need any scriptural evidence for this.

Answer 1

narasimha puraNa has the story of ranganatha vimAna :

narasimha puraNa ch. 25

51-54. O king, under inspiration of that inexpressive voice, I gave up that ceaseless penance and created the living organisms of this world. On completion of that project, Prajapati Visvakarma appeared in my heart in a relaxed state. He made two radiant icons of god Visnu and Sesanaga known as Ananta. O king, those portraits were made of the same posture and sentiments as I had seen of god at that time. Since then I used to worship those icons and by virtue of the blessing so indirectly obtained from god, I could acquire knowledge, ever pleasing and started living peacefully and in the state of emancipation.

55-59. O the king of kings, I am going to tell you the benevolent way. Listen to it and as per my words give up this severe penance to which you are performing this time and go back to your kingdom. It is the foremost religion and penance of kings to take care of their subjects. I will send that aircraft (vimana) containing that icon to you with siddha and Brahmanas. Do the worship of god in the prescribed manner for extraneous or physical adoration. O the great king, do worship of that god sleeping on Sesanaga known as Ananta duly performing the offerings without any expressive desire in the mind (Niskamabhava) and take care of your subjects. O king, you will definitely avail of emancipation by the grace of god Vasudeva. "With these words Brahma returned to his abode."

60-66. O Brahmana, on departure of god Brahma, as Iksvaku was about to think over his suggestions, the aircraft (vimana) given by Brahma suddenly appeared with the icons of Ananta and Visnu along with Siddha Brahmanas before him. He saluted with great reverence the icons and bowed his head before the Brahmins came in that aircraft. Then he took the aircraft to his kingdom. All men and women of that kingdom saw the king and they took him spreading flowers (lava) on the way. The king installed that Vaisnava aircraft at his giant temple and began to worship the icon of god Visnu as the same was worshipped by the Brahmins come in that aircraft. His queens used to make garlands of scented flowers for the icon which pleased the king. The citizens too began to bring camphor, sandal, kumkum, aguru etc., fragrances and clothes, gugula and special flowers for god Visnu's worship.

67-72. The king used to worship god Visnu, seated on the aircraft in the morning, noon and in the evening with obeisance. He did japa, recited the hymns, praise of his mercy and piping of conch-shell and other musical instruments himself and made others to do the same, in his realm. He used to arrange function at nights and the procession of god duly trimmed according to the manner prescribed by the scriptures. The king acquired the supreme knowledge by the grace of god Visnu with his religious acts, the offerings, donations etc. He reproduced sons in order to maintain the rites exercised by him as to perform offerings, ruling and for satiation of Pitras coincide continuous worship of god. He attained the abode of god Visnu merely by extracting the breathings through concentration on the Brahma. Thus king Iksvaku attained to the position of god Visnu, who is Aja, Asoka, Amala, holy, tranquil and in the form of truth, chid and pleasure (Saccidananda) by kicking off the limitless pain giving world.

narasimha puraNa ch. 26

10-11. Rama, in pursuance of the words of his father began observing penance in Dandakaranya with his brother Laksmana and wife Sita. Ravana, in that forest abducted his wife Sita. Aggrieved at this, Rama in the company of his brother tied with Sugriva in friendship, took him with his crores of army consisting of monkeys and bears, constructed a bridge on the giant sea and thus entered into Lanka. He killed that suppressor of gods with his relations and the army, got Sita again and returned to Ayodhya. Bharata, his younger brother enthroned him. Rama gifted Vibhlsana an aircraft containing an icon of the god Visnu and the kingdom of Lanka and thus, bade farewell. The icon of god Visnu in spite of being carried by Vibhlsana with him duly enshrined on the aircraft, was reluctant to live in Lanka. He therefore, automatically installed at the holy forest developed by Vibhlsana beyond the border of that state. There, the god sleeps on the body of the giant serpent. Vibhlsana could not pick up that aircraft from there. He then, departed to Lanka leaving the icon of Visnu there in compliance with the suggestion of the god.

12. The place was turned into a great holy place because of the presence of god Narayana. It is still famous as Srlraranga kshetra. The subsequent descendants were- Lava, Padma, Rtuparna, Astrapani, Suddhodana and lastly Budha. Budha was the last descendant of the solar clan and it ceased onward.