Uthra Ranganathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Pallikonda Village in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is situated on the banks of the Palar river. Presiding Deity is called as Rangantha Swamy and Mother is called 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.
Sri Uthara Ranganathar Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Evening: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Margazhi / December-January: 4.00 AM to 9.00 PM
Uthara Ranganathar Temple History:
According to Sthala Purana, A king named Amba Raja ruled this part of the country called Thiruvedhimangalam (now Pallikonda). He was very victorious and enjoyed all the pleasures in the world as a king. Fed up with the materialistic life, he once realized that the purpose of his birth was only to obtain Dharshan from Sri Vishnu. He started worshiping Maha Vishnu for years together and was looking forward to his Dharshan. Years passed, but there was no sign of God appearing to him. He became frustrated and attempted to kill himself. As he was attempting to kill himself, a heavenly voice from heaven told him to be patient and continue his prayers that he would soon have Dharshan of God. The king was delighted and continued his services. After preventing Saraswathi from disturbing the Yagam of Brahma, Sri Vishnu returned to Pallikonda and gave Dharshan to Amba Raja. The king asked for a blessing for God to settle here and give Dharshan to all who visit this place. When God moved here in his act of uniting Brahma and Saraswati, the king prayed for a blessing for singles and separated couples visiting here. Lord Ranganathar agreed and made his wish come true. Even today, it is said that single men or women who worship Lord Ranganathar here get married early. Moreover, couples who quarrel or separate in married life come together to worship Lord Ranganathar here.
Sri Mahalakshmi and Maha Saraswathi once had a debate about the supremacy of one over the other. They approached Lord Brahma, who said Mahalakshmi is superior. So Saraswathi Devi got angry and left Brahma, came to the hills of Nandhi Durga and started doing penance to achieve supremacy. During this time, Lord Brahma organized a Yagna dedicated to Sri Vishnu. As a rule, these rituals should be performed with the woman next to him. Brahma invited Saraswati Devi to join him in the Yagna, but she refused. Brahma created Savitri with the attributes of Maha Saraswathi, married her and started the Yagna which enraged Maa Saraswathi even more. To destroy the Yagna, Saraswathi took the form of a river, Sheera Nadhi or Palar River and began to flood furiously. Brahma prayed to Sri Vishnu to stop the flood and save the Yagna. At the request of Brahma, Sri Vishnu took the elongated form at Adhiseshan in three holy places before the Flood and stopped him and the Yagna was also successfully completed. The first place where the Lord took the elongated form is Pallikonda, also known as Vada Arangam, the second place is Thiruparkadal near Kaveripakkam, and the third is Tiruvekkaa Temple or Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) in Kanchipuram.
After Indra got Brahmaharthi Dosham, then, according to the advice of Kashyapa Rishi, Indira took a holy bath in this temple pond “Vyasa Pushkarani” for a year and got rid of the Dosha. During foreign invasions, the original Ranganathaswamy was hidden and replaced by a small idol of Sri Ranganathar known as Kasthuri Ranganathar or Chotta Ranganathar. Even today, pujas are performed to this Chotta Ranganatha Swamy. The temple was built in the 12th century and there was a recent renovation in 2008 and the temple was built by Krishna Deva Raya, Vikrama Chozha-I, Vijayanagara kings, King Kulasekara Samburvarayar.
Sri Uthara Ranganathar Swamy Temple Speciality:
The Sadari (the Lord’s Padukas fixed on a crown-shaped object and placed on the heads of the devotees as a blessing from the Lord) in the temple is the one installed in the Yagnas in Tiruvallur (one of the 108 Diyya Desas), the Vaidya Veera Raghava temple and offered pujas. The Sadari blessing is considered a great blessing for the devotees.
Sri Uthara Ranganathar Swamy Temple Dress Code:
For Men: the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with an upper cloth.
For Women: Saree or half-saree with a blouse, Shudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, Miniskirts, Middies, Sleeveless tops, Low waist Jeans and Short length T-shirts are not allowed.
Temples Near Uthara Ranganathar Swamy Temple
Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore, Distance: 23.4 KM
Margabandeswarar Temple, Virinchipuram, Vellore,Distance: 23.4 KM
Sri Balamurugan Temple, Rathnagiri Kilminnal, Distance: 35.4 KM
Vallimalai Murugan Temple, Vellore, Distance: 52.9 KM
Sundara Varadar / Azhagiya Ramar Temple, Kaveripakkam, Distance: 61.3 KM
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Thirukoil, Distance: 73.7 KM
Note:
Staying For A Night In This Temple Ensures Salvation To The Soul.
Do respect ancient customs and co-pilgrims inside Temple.
One has to take a bath and wear clean clothes before entering the Temple.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Temple.
Uthara Ranganathar Swamy Address:
Uthira Ranganatha Swamy Temple,
Pallikonda,
Vellore District – 635 809,
Tamilnadu.