Sri Uthara Ranganathar Temple, Pallikonda, near Vellore, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

17^th November 2018.

It was decided to visit some of the old temples & heritage sites in and around Vellore and Arcot on the previous day of  Vellore Heritage walk organized by the History of Vellore facebook Group, on 18^th November 2018. The Temples visited on 17^th November 2018 are on the west and east side of Vellore. We could able to cover 3 temples and three heritage sites. The first temple visit was to a Vaishnava temple at Pallikonda.

Moolavar : Sri Uthara Ranganathar

Thayar    : Sri Ranganayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

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. 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.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. Vishnu in this temple blesses us in reclining posture on Adhiseshan, with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. 

There is a replica of Sri Ranganathar small shrine is in the artha mandapam, called Chotta Ranganathar ( small – Chotta in Hindi). Also urchavars are kept in safe custody.  In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Ramar, Kannabiran and Andal.  Sannadhi for Alwars in muka mandapam. 

Thayar is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east on the right side of Moolavar. Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The Adhistanam is of simple pada bandha adhistanam with 3 patta kumudam. A 2 tier Nagara Vimanam is on the adhistanam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple exists before 12^th century and who built was known. As per the 12^th 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.

LEGENDS

As per the legend Brahma wished to do yajna for Vishnu at Kanchipuram. Saraswathy and Lakshmi had a debate on, who is great. Brahma said that Lakshmi is great. Saraswathi got angry and went to Nandidurga hills. The Yaga, will be fulfilled only when it is done as husband and wife. So Brahma called Saraswati, but she refused to come. Brahma married Savithri and started performing Yaga. Hearing this she send demons to obstruct the yaga. When the demons failed, Saraswathy took the form of Vegavathi river, ( the present Palar ) and flowed with a force to destroy the yaga. Vishnu as per Brahma’s request lied down to obstructs the flow and the Yaga was completed. Vishnu will be in this posture at three temples namely, Pallikonda, Thiruparkadal and Kanchipuram as Yathokthakari also called as “Chonna Vannam Seitha Perumal”. The three places are on the banks of river Palar. The place Pallikonda is also called as “Vadarangam”.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The following landline and mobile numbers may be contacted for further details. O4171 240234 and 9443309572, 9443989668, 9443686869

HOW TO REACH:

The Pallikonda Village is about 24 KM from Vellore on Bangalore Highway.

Buses are available from Vellore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---