Ranganathaswamy Temple

Ranganthaswamy temple is located at the banks of Penna River, Nellore, which originates from the Tamil word Nelli, means rice and uru means village to total it as a village of paddy fields. The temple is believed to be constructed in 7th century by Pallava rulers. One of the variations of Lord Maha Vishnu’s deity present over here is seen in the reclining position on his couch Anantha Sesha.

In earlier days and even today Penna River is highly unpredictable for its surge in water level. There was a saying earlier in Telugu “Penna Dhatuthe Perumala Seva” it literally means that “If one can cross penna river then we can see of offerings to Perumal (Lord Venkateshwara)). In the year of 1946 (06-12-10946) the river’s water level rose to 25.6 feet, and it is said that the water touched the feet of Lord Ranganathaswamy’s idol.

The local legend goes this way that Lord Maha Vishnu along with Sridevi wanted to visit Bhoolokha (planet earth) for that he has directed Adi Sheshu (five headed serpent) to become his place of residence on earth, where Adi Sheshu turned to a mountain on earth. And the serpent king “Phani Raju” along with his consort paid his respects to the lord. The lord happy with “Phani Raju’s” offerings blessed him that the place would become famous as “Talpa Giri” Kshetram (Kshetram means place). Sage Kashyapa on his pilgrimage to various sacred places reached this place and performed Poundarika Yaga and on the day of Eka Dasi god manifested in front of him and blessed him with kashayapa’s desire that God shall shower the same kindness and blessings to all devotees at par with self manifested sacred places in other parts of the country.

In the 7th and 8th centuries BC, The kings of Simhapuri have commissioned lords deity here. Later 12th century BC, king Raja Mahendra Varma Raja Raja Narendra made some improvements like building the lords sanctum sanctorum at the premises.

Over the period the temple was given a new way from the back side of the earlier existed temple door, primarily for approachable reasons and now there is a road that connects to the temple to the new temple door. The gopuram (Temple Tower) of the temple is quite tall and is seven storied and done well with art work that influences age old southern architectural brilliancy. On the gopuram (Temple tower) are images of Sages, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara and sculptures of dancing females and different postures of goddesses. The temple doors are very huge in size and also the inside of the walls display exemplary stone sculpting work carried out in those times.

Inside the temple, on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are written “Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namavali” – The 1000 different names of Lord Maha Vishnu and devotees encircle the temple chanting the 1000 names of the lord. Some devotees also take a dip in the penna river before they offer prayers to Lord Ranganthaswamy, which is just the back door of the today’s temple.

At this place devotees chant the mantra – Sri Ranganatha parabrahmane namaha.