Sri Talapagiri Ranganadha Swamy Temple
Location:
Ranganayakulapet, Nellore, SPSR Nellore district, AndhraPradesh
History:
Sri Talpagiri Ranganatha Swami Temple' Ranganayakulapet' Nellore city is the most ancient and Historical famous Temple in Nellore District. It is a pilgrimage centre' As this temple is situated enroute to Tirupati, most of the pilgrims who resort to Tirupati will visit this temple to have the blessings of Lord Ranganatha Swamy Varu' 269 Utsavam are being performed in the temple periodically in a year' The devotees visits the temple not only from Nellore District but also all-over India' Trikala Chana is being performed in the temple as per Panchatantra Agamam'
There is a Raja gopuram of about 100' height on the eastern side of the temple' The temple is situated on the Southern Bank of River Pennar' The gate way of Western side gopuram of the temple leads to bathing ghat in Penna River. There was Penna River both in South' North and West side of the temple' Hence there was a proverb that (PENNADATITHE PERUMALLU SEVA). Later the Penna River was closed on southern side and diverted to Northern side of Penna River in long back' The Town is extended on all directions except the northern side of the temple due to river Pennar' Now there is Penna River on Northern side of the temple on which barrage was constructed in recent Years'
Sthalapuranam:
The sacredness of river Pennar is described in the arthkhandam in brahmadapuranam. It goes to show that a dipping in the river cures all the disease and that any ceremony performed at this river fulfils the intention in doing so. The sthalapuranam of the temple is described in Vyshnava Samhita of Skanda Puranam.
It runs as follows: Sri Mahavishnu intended to reside for some time in Bhulokam with Ramadevi. The Lord called for Adhiseshu and ordered to create a place to reside at a distance of 16 miles from the sea. Adhiseshu formed hill with all sorts of trees. The hoods of Adhiseshu extended upto satyaloka, hence the people in Bhulokam were reaching Satyalokam without performing yagnas. The Devotees and Dikpalakas complained to Lord Brahma that they are not receiving their respective "HAVIRBHAGAM" as there are none to perform yagas and Agnikaryams. At the instance of sri Brahma, Lord sri Vishnu had touched the hood with his feet. The hoods, due to the pressure of the feet of the Lord, have been suppressed to the level of the surface of the hillock. Hence this place is called ralpagiri. subsequently sri Kasyapa Maharshi performed Ekadashi Krathu on this hillock. on the eleventh day of the Krathuvu, sri Mahavishnu appeared in the Homagundam. Then sri Kasyapa Maharshi requested to make this place equar to srirangam. The Lord therefore appeared here on Audisayanam in the name of sri Ranganadha Swami.
The Lord is resting on Audiseshu with Sridevi and Bhoodevi at the feet and Brahma at Nabhi on padmam, The Temple of Ranganayaki Ammavaru is on southern side. sri Andal Temple and Alwars temple are on the northern side of temple. Sri Venkateswara swamy Temple constructed in recent years at southern side of the temple.
Historical Importance:
7th Century: During this period, the Pallava Emperors, ruling the Nellore region (Simhapuri), installed the deity.
12th Century: Sri Rajendra Ubhaya Kulothunga Cholan, who ruled the region between the Kaveri and Godavari rivers, visited the temple and constructed the Garbhalaya (sanctum) and Mandapam (hall).
13th Century: Sri Jatavarma Sundara Pandyan conquered this region from Manuma Sidhi. He celebrated his victory at this temple and gifted the Lord with several Manyams (land grants) and other lands.
1849: Sri Yeragudipati Venkatachalam Panthulu constructed the magnificent 7-storied Raja Gopuram (main temple tower) on the eastern side of the temple and Chitrakuta Bhavanam on the southern side, next to Sri Ranganayaki Ammavari Temple. He also dedicated several properties to the temple.
Around 90 years ago: Sriman Muppirala Narasimhacharyulu gifted several properties and diamond-studded jewelry. He also donated the famous gold Garuda Vahanam, Addala Mandapam, and the unique gold zari Vishnu Sahasranamavali to Swamy Varu. Additionally, Sriman Muppirala Narasimhacharyulu dedicated an Astothara Sathanamavali saree to Ammavaru.
Details Of Sub-Shrines:
Sri Ranganayaki Ammavari Temple
Sri Andal Ammavari Sannidhi
Sri Alvarla Sannidhi
Addhala Mandapam
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 A.M. AT 12.00 P.M
Evening:4.30 P.M. AT 9.00 P.M
Sri Swamy Vari Nitya Poojalu:
6.00 AM to 6.30AM :Prabhatha Seva
6.30 AM to 8.30AM:Sri Vari Dharma Dharsanam and Prathahkala Nivedana
8.30 AM to 11.30 AM:Argitha Sevas
11.30 AM to 12.00 Noon:Madhyahna Nivedana
4.30 PM to 7.45 PM:Argitha Sevas
7.45 PM to 8.00 PM:Thomalaseva & Nivedana
8.00 PM to 9.00 PM:Sri Swamy vari Dharma Darsanam
How to Reach:
By Road:Nellore – Sri Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy Temple (3.1 KM)
By Rail:Nearest Railway station: Nellore Railway station (1 KM)
By Air:Nearest Airport: Tirupati International Airport (124 KM)and Chennai International Airport (191 KM)