Uttara Ranganatha Swamy Temple
Main Entrance
Lord Ranganatha swamy
The Uthara Ranganatha Swamy is an ancient temple located on the banks of the Palar in Pallikonda just 1 kms from the Junction towards Gudiyattam and 23 km from Vellore on vellore – Bangalore highway.Pallikonda is 24 kms from Ambur, Situvated on the Banks of River Palar and other 2 more Rivers invisible now we can see only Palar river bed.It is said that it holds 1000 old years of History,Here Lord Ranganatha in the temple is made of Salagrama so many Miracles have happened and retold by many there.This temple Mahime (Multi-Power) is mentioned in Brahmanda Purana.
Name Plate
another view of the Lord
There are Nine shrines inside the temple complex including that of Uthara Ranganatha, Ranganayaki Devi, Rama, Navaneetha Krishna, Garuda, Andal, Anjaneya, and Manavala Mamunivar and has been recently renovated and Main Gopuram has a Majestic look from Far off distance.Devotees can perform tulasi Archana to Lord Ranganatha and Kumkumacharane to Devi Ranganayaki.
Anjaneya swamy temple
Andal sannathi
Festivals conducted and celebrated during the year are—Thai Giri Pradakshinam in January-February, Masi float festival in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals.Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam Garuda Sevai in May-June, Aani Jeshta Tirumanjanam in June-July, Aadi Fridays Tiruvadipooram in July-August, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, Tirukarthikai in November-December,Vaikunta Ekadasi in December.Mass Marriages are conducted here regularly.
Gopuram
Navaneetha Krishna
According to the Sthala History, there lived a king called Amba Raja who was ruling this part of the country called Thiruvedhimangalam (today’s Pallikonda). He has been highly victorious and was enjoying all the worldly pleasures as a king. Having fed up with materialistic life, he one day realized that the purpose of his birth is only to get the Dharshan of Sri Maha Vishnu. He started worshipping Maha Vishnu for years together and was eagerly waiting to have his Dharshan. Years rolled by. But there was no sign of God appearing to him. He got frustrated and attempted suicide. While he was trying to commit suicide, a heavenly voice from the sky told him to be patient and to continue his prayers so that he will soon get the dharshan of God.
inside view of Gopuram
Badari tree
The king became happy and continued his worships. During the same time a debate came up in the Lord Brahma’s court hall (Brahma Sabha). It was about, who is the greatest among Durga (for courage), Lakshmi (for wealth) and Saraswathi (for wisdom). After a long debate, Lord Brahma gave a conclusion that Lakshmi is the supreme. Hearing this, Saraswathi got angry and walked away, leaving Brahma. Brahma tried convincing her and failed. Brahma went and prayed Lord Vishnu asking for a solution as he cannot live without Saraswathi. Lord Vishnu assured that he will try to bring down her anger.
Rama Temple
Saraswathi took the form of a river named Vegavathi and started flowing through. Trying to stop her, Lord Vishnu lied in a reclining pose (Ranganatha) at Thiruvedhimangalam (Pallikonda). Knowing this, Saraswathi bypassed him adjacent to his feet and moved further. Lord Vishnu again went to another place along her route and stayed again in a reclining posture. This time Saraswathi cleverly bypassed him again above his head and went on.
Temple History 1
Temple History 2
Temple History 3
Lord Vishnu decided to stop her some how and went and rested in another place again in the same posture obstructing her way. This time Saraswathi had to face Lord Vishnu obstructing her and was not able to move further beyond Him, as he is the supreme. Saraswathi’s anger subsided and she went into the earth at this third place where Lord Ranganatha reclined. After this event, as Amba Raja was worshipping eagerly to have His Dharshan, Lord Vishnu came back to Pallikonda and gave Dharshan to Amba Raja.
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The king asked for a boon that the God should settle here and give Dharshan to everyone visiting this place. As the God settled here during his act of uniting Brahma and Saraswathi, the king prayed that He should grant boon for unmarried people and the separated couples visiting here. Lord Ranganathar agreed to it and granted his wish. Even today, it is said that unmarried men or women who worship Lord Ranganathar here, get married soon. Also the couples, who have quarrels or separation in married life, get united upon worshipping Lord Ranganatha here.
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The first place where Lord Ranganatha tried stopping Saraswathi who was flowing as river Vegavathi (today’s Palar) is today’s Pallikonda. Here Palar flows at the down side of the Lord’s feet. The second place where he attempted to stop her is called Thiruppaarkadal now, near Kaverippaakkam on the Bangalore highway. Here there is a Lord Ranganatha temple where river Palar passes on the head side of the lord.
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The third place where he finally stopped the river is called Thiruvekka, which is in Kanchipuram. There’s another Lord Ranganathar temple here again. In all the three places Lord Vishnu is seen in the reclined posture as Lord Ranganatha. In Pallikonda Lord, Ranganatha gives Dharshan with Sri Ranganayaki on the banks of the river Vegavathi (today’s Palar). Also seen are Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. This temple is said to have built by Vijayanagara Kings during 5th Century. Other deities of the temple like Lord Rama, Garuda, etc., have been built at various stages by many kings who ruled here. But Lord Ranganatha is said to be the Aadhi Moola which was excavated from the banks of the river and Re-built by Vijayanagara Kings.
One Must Visit this Place to get Lord’s Blessings with Good Health, Success and Happiness in Life.
——– Hari Om ——–
nrameshrao 