EXPLORE
Sri Talapagiri Ranganatha Temple
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Period : 16th Century
Deity : Vishnu
District : Nellore
Info: The Ranganatha temple, also known as Ranganayaka temple is one of the prominent Ranganatha Kshetras in the country dedicated to Lord Vishnu in which deity is seen reclining on divine serpent Adishesha, situated in a suburb known as Ranganayakulupeta on the southern bank of the river Penna in Nellore town and a district headquarters in Andhra Pradesh. The town is known as Vikramasimhapuri/ Simhapuri in ancient times is prominent town from the 6th century CE and served as the sub-capital for many ruling dynasties.
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu decided to visit Bhuloka along with his consort Sridevi. He asked Adisesha to be the place as Lord’s abode to stay in Bhu-loka. Following the order of the Lord, Adisesha took the form of a small hillock on the bank of River Penna at the present place. The Lord Vishnu came down to the Bhuloka and stayed at the present place in reclining posture on the hill. Hence, the place is known as Talpagiri Kshethra named after the hill formed by Adisesha.
The temple was built around 11th century CE based on the inscriptions engraved in the temple. The earliest inscription dated to 1080 CE of Kulothunga I, the Chola Emperor mentions the deity as Pallikondanatha and Talasayanapperumal of Talpagiri. There are over twenty inscriptions in the temple dating between 11th and 16th centuries CE, which include the inscriptions of Rajaraja I, the mighty Chola Emperor and Sundarapandya, the Pandya King, record donations to the temple.
The temple is built in typical Chola architecture in Dravidian order and enclosed by walls with a mandapa infront of it. The entrance in the east surmounted by a Gopura. The west wall has an opening which leads to a rectangular enclosure consists of covered enclosure of the main shrine at its center and various mandapas and small shrines. There are Vahana mandapa (Temple Vehicles hall), Alankaramandapa, Addalamandapa (Mirror Hall) and Temple Kitchen built attached to the walls of enclosure. There is another Gopura which leads to the River Penna through a flight of steps on the western side. There is a shrine dedicated to Ranganayaki, the consort of the Ranganayaki inside a long pillared mandapa just beside the western gopura. On the north side there is a shrine known as Andal temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi consisting of a Garbhagriha, an antharala and Pradakshina mandapa inside a later constructed, long pillared mandapa.
The Main shrine is enclosed one which consist of a Garbhagriha, an antharala, a circumambulatory path on three sides around the garbhagriha and a Mukhamandapa and Mahamandapa.
The Mahamadapa has two entrances, one in the south and the other in the north side with five rows of five pillars on each side. The Vimana of the Garbhagriha is of two storied one and Ayatasra variety of Vesara-shikara which houses the reclining deity inside.
The temple contain minimal artistic features as most of the walls and pillars are left plain without any carvings. There are few pillars in the Mandapas which include decorative features of the early Chola art. The main Gopuras contain the base with pilasters carved and the Vimana contains beautiful stucco images depicting various scenes of Vaishnava mythology.
The main attraction of the temple is the icon of the main deity Ranganatha who is depicted in reclining posture on Adishesha (serpent). Sridevi, his consort is seen sitting beside the Lord. The sculpture represents typical Chola art traditions.
The main celebrated festivals in the temple are Radhostavam( temple cart festival), Vaikunta Ekadasi and Ramanuja Jayanti. In addition to these all other holy days as per the Vaishnava agamas are celebrated in the temple.
6 AM – 12 PM & 3 PM to 9 PM
