The first of the three temples where Lord Narayana presented himself in a Sayana Kolam to block the floods intended to disrupt Brahmma's Yagna
Located
just under 25kms from Vellore off the Bangalore National Highway is the over
1000years old Ranganatha Perumal temple in Pallikonda seen in a Sayana Kolam as
described by Periyazhvaar - 'படுத்த
பைந்நாகனைப் பள்ளிகொண்டானுக்குப் பல்லாண்டு கூறுதுமே'
The story
Lord
Indra who once enraged the rishis was afflicted with Brahmma Hathi Dosham. To
liberate himself from this curse he was directed by Kashyap Rishi to have a
bath at the sacred tank at this Uthira Ranganatha Kshetram
Another
story goes that Brahmma once indicated that he loved Goddess Lakshmi more than
Saraswathi. Angered at this gesture, the latter moving away from Brahmma came
down to this region.
Later,
when Brahmma was performing a Yagna, he invited Saraswathi to be present and to
be part of the yagna. When Saraswathi refused, Brahmma performed the yagna in
the presence of Savithri. Furious at this, Saraswathi took the form of a huge
surging flood in an effort to disrupt the Yagna.
Answering
the prayers of Brahmma seeking help in completing the Yagna, Lord Narayana
placed himself in a Sayana Kolam across the rampant floods at three places in
this region.
The
first place where he displayed his Sayana Kolam to prevent the floods was here
at Pallikonda. The other two being, Thiru Parkadal ( Kaveripakkam) about 40kms
East of Vellore and at Yathothgari Divya
Desam in Kanchipuram.
Inscriptions
There
are several inscriptions inside the temple, both in the inner prakara as well
as on the walls of the outer prakara dating back a 1000years to the Chozha
period.
Vikrama
Chozha I, the son of Kulothunga Chozha I has donated several pieces of land for
the upkeep and maintenance of the temple. The temple’s history can also be seen from
ancient granite structure of the inner and outer prakara.
Later
Krishna Deva Raya has contributed significantly to the temple including
building the big outer walls.
Festivals
Brahmotsavam
in April-May
Round
the year festivals
Quick Facts
Moolavar:
Uthira Ranganatha Perumal in an East facing Sayana Kolam
Thaayar : Ranganayaki Thaayar
Time : 8am-12noon and 4pm-8pm
Contact : Narayana
Bhattar @ 94433 09572
How to reach
Get down
at Gudiyatham Railway Station (between Katpadi and Ambur). The temple is 4kms
from the railway station. An auto from the station will cost Rs. 50.
By bus,
take the Krishnagiri/Hosur/Bangalore bound bus from Vellore and get down on the Highway at Pallikondan.
From here, the temple is about 1km. An auto will cost Rs. 30.
2 comments:
Very ancient temple had very good peacdful dharahan. Bhatachari of the temple was of no knowledge about the sthalapurana of this temple
Very ancient temple had very good peacdful dharahan. Bhatachari of the temple was of no knowledge about the sthalapurana of this temple
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