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.

Sri Penushila Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple, Penchalakonda( Penchala Kona), Nellore

This is a very ancient sacred place (pilgrim centre). Lord Narasimha manifested Himself here as a huge of rock in “Yoga mudra” (in an entwined contemplative posture) and hence it acquired the name of “Penusila” (huge rock) and in course of time became famous as “Penchalakona”. Legend has it that after slaying the demon Hiranya Kasipa, Lord Narsimha bathed in Penchalakona and withdrew that “Avatara”(incarnation) of Narasimha, shedding His anger and ferocity. The Lord here goes by the name of Somasila Narasimhaswamy and has become one of the Nava Narasimhas (nine manifestations).

History

In the prehistoric days Lord Sri Vishnu killed Hiranyakasipa and he was moving around in the Forest, Goddess Sreedevi came in the disguise of ‘Chenchu’ tribe lady to calm down the anger of Lord Vishnu. She calms him down and hugs him (‘Penu chesukonuta’),so this temple(‘kshetra’) was named ‘Penusila’.Later on, as the days passed by the name changed to ‘Penchalakona’.This temple has lot of fame and is reputed as the ninth kshetra of Lord Vishnu.

The Temple of Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimaha Swamy is situated at the foot of Hill of the picturesque Penchalakona Valley. The history of the Temple is buried in a hoary past and its “STHALAPURANA” indicates that it was a famed place as “TAPOVAN” of KANVAMAHARSHI who performed penance. The river KANDLERU as it is now called, originates from the water falls of the mountain ranges on the WEST and the South, had another name KANVAYERU. The river flows through Rapur Taluk and empties itself in the Bay of Bengal, Near Krishnapatnam.

The only construction that seems to have been at tempted about 670 years ago was the Garbhalayam (SANCTUM SANCTORUM) which had gradually been left neglected. And today it is in a state of virtual collapse. The image of the lord is a self manifested one. ( SWAYAMBHU) Two stones inter twisted to from a lion’s Head at the top. Hence the Lord is called “PENUSILA LAKSHMI NARASIMAHA SWAMY” I Telugu “PENU” means twist and “SILA” is stone. After killing Hiranya Kasipa as NARASIMAHA, Lord Vishnu married Chenchu Lakshmi in BHAIRAVAKONA, a place at a short distance from Pensusilakona and killed the RAKSHASAS who were torturing “RISHIS” . The Lord, Vishnu used to visit the lake every Saturday and as an evidence a Silver Umbrella rose from the Lake. The DEITY is very powerful are renowned as the saviour of chaste women.

Everyday gollabayadu used to go to the Kona to graze his cattle regularly from Gonupalli. One day boyadu saw an old man who told him that Penusila Lakshmi Narasimah Swamy established Himself in Kona. He asked boyadu to straight to the village head an inform of this miracle. He turned back to see the old man. To his astonishment the old man transformed himself into a rock.

Water falls

The water fall coming from the hill where the Lord lies, flows down in the northward direction. In ancient days a devote, Maharishi(Saint) by name ‘Kanva’ dwelled by this river and used this for his basic needs .This is what people here believe. So, this lake is named after him as ‘Kanvayeru’. As the days passed by the name was changed to ‘Kandaleru’. Government in 1982 constructed a dam In a low level region near by this lake. They named this dam as ‘Kandaleru dam’. Because of this dam the agriculture of many surrounding lands was fruitful and this dam gave Livelihood to many natives.

Directions to penchala kona

- People from Andhra Pradesh Kadapa and surrounding areas can come to PenchalaKona by passing the places Rajampeta – Rapuru on the way. There is a bus facility from Rapuru to Penchalakona every half an hour. Distance around 30 Kilometers.

- People coming from Andhra Pradesh Vijayawada and Vizag should take the train route till Nellore. From Nellore, for every hour there will be a bus to Penchulakona. The distance is around 75 Kilometers.

- People coming from Andhra Pradesh Tirupati and surroundings can reach here via VenkataGiri and Rapuru. Distance from Tirupati is 115 Kilometers.

- People from Tamil Nadu Chennai and other southern parts can come till Guduru on train. From there they can come here by bus via Rapuru. Distance from Guduru is 65 Kilometers.