Udayagiri Ranganayakula Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Udayagiri Ranganayakula Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Seetharamapuram-Udayagiri Rd,

Udayagiri,

Andhra Pradesh 524226

Moolavar

Lord Vishnu

Introduction

Ranganayakula Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located at Udayagiri Town in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on Nellore to Seetharamapuram route.

Puranic Significance

The temple might have been built either by Gajapati Kings or Vijayanagara Kings. The temple was extensively renovated by a Timmaraju in the latter part of the 16th century A.D.

Special Features

The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). During the rule of Krishna Deva Raya in 1514 A.D., the idol of the presiding deity, Ranganatha, was relocated to the Ranganayakula Temple in Nellore to protect it from a potential attack during a Muslim invasion. Over time, the temple fell into disrepair due to natural disasters, and today, it faces southward and features a four-tiered Rajagopuram entrance gate with an additional Gali gopuram on the eastern side. The temple originally had two prakarams (enclosures), but only remnants of the surrounding walls remain today.

The main shrine of the temple, including the Sanctum Sanctorum, Antrala, Maha Mandapam, and Mukha Mandapam, are all in a state of ruin. The Sanctum Sanctorum once housed an image of Ranganayaka, also known as Anantasayana Vishnu. Within the inner prakara, there are two Mandapas (halls), a well, and a few shrines, all of which are also in a deteriorated condition.

References

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/05/ranganayakula-temple-udayagiri-andhra-pradesh.html