Sri Uthara Ranganathar Temple (Pallikonda), Vellore

Address

Sri Uthara Ranganathar Temple (Pallikonda, Pallikonda, Vellore District– 635 809, Phone: +91 4171 240234 Mobile: +91 94433 09572

Diety

Sri Uthara Ranganathar Amman: Sri Ranganayaki

Introduction

Uthara Ranganathar Temple is a Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Pallikonda Village in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is situated on the banks of Palar river. Presiding Deity is called as Rangantha Swamy and Mother is called as Ranganayaki Thayar. The first of the three temples where Lord Narayana presented himself in a Sayana Kolam to block the floods intended to disrupt Brahma’s Yagna.

Puranic Significance

The temple exists before 12th century and who built was known. As per the 12th Century inscriptions, Vikrama Chozha (1122- 1135 AD), son of Kulothunga Chozha –I, Samburayars, Vijayanagaras had contributed a lot to this temple. The Kulasekara Sambuvarayar as per Kulothunga’s order, gave tax relief to the Villages Keezhivichur, Veppur, Thagadoor, Nadalvanpattu, Arasur, Anjadai perumanallur, Ulagukachi. Mothers Mahalakshmi and Maha Saraswathi once had a debate about the supremacy of the one over the other. They approached Lord Brahma who said Mahalakshmi is superior. So, Devi Saraswathi got angry and left Brahma, came to Nandhi Durga hills and began penance to attain supremacy. Meantime, Lord Brahma organized a Yagna dedicating to Lord Vishnu. As a rule, such rituals should be performed along with wife by the side. Brahma invited Saraswathi to join him the Yagna but She refused. Brahma created Savitri with the attributes of Maha Saraswathi, married her and began the Yagna which further infuriated Mother Saraswathi. To destroy the Yagna, Saraswathi took the form of a river, Sheera Nadhi or Palar River and began to flood furiously. Brahma prayed to Lord Vishnu to stop the flood and save the Yagna. On Brahma request, Lord Sri Vishnu took Reclining Form on Adhiseshan at three sacred places in front of the flood and stopped it and the Yagna also got completed successfully. The first place where Lord took reclining Form is Pallikonda which is also known as Vada Arangam, the second place is Thiruparkadal near Kaveripakkam and the third is Tiruvekkaa or Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple in Kanchipuram. Place for Salvation: According to Brahmanda Purana, staying in this temple for a night and worshipping Perumal ensure salvation to the soul. It is considered that if you stay for 3 nights at Kanchi, you get salvation but here if you stay just one night, you get salvation.

Beliefs

People getting married at this temple will get all the 16 types of wealth. Devotees pray and perform Archana to Lord and Mother in this temple for happy settlement of wedding proposals, for happy married life, for reunion of separated couple and for any financial problems. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam to Lord and Mother as Prarthana.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram on the banks of river Palar. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. Vishnu in this temple blesses us in reclining posture on Adhiseshan, with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Urchavars Sri Varadharajar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi are in front. Since Sri Ranganathar is in sayana kolam, this place was called as Pallikondan. This was corrupted to the present name of Pallikonda. There is a replica of Sri Ranganathar small shrine in the artha mandapam, called Chotta Ranganathar ( small – Chotta in Hindi).