Galigopuram Archives

07/Aug/2022

The Temple

Ranganathaswamy Temple was built by the Pallava kings in the 6th – 7th centuries. This temple was developed by King Raja Mahendra Varma in the 12th century. A huge gopuram called Galigopuram, which means “tower of the wind”, stands in front of the temple’s main entrance.

It is a major attraction for devotees and tourists. A 70-feet high gopuram surrounded by a 10-feet gold-plated vessel known as Kalash attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year.

Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara, and many sages and sculptures reflect the craftsmanship. Sri Vishnu Sahasranamavali or 1000 different names of Lord Vishnu are displayed on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum.

Devotees can recite Sri Vishnu Sahasranamavali while circumambulating the temple. Besides the main temple, the Mirror House, Lakshmi Mata, and Andal Ammavari Gudi are other attractions within the Ranganatha Temple premises.

Thus, the Ranganatha temple is also famous for its beautiful sculpture and delicate carvings.

Lord Vishnu one of the most beautiful deities in India. Ranganatha’s statue ten feet tall, reclining on his bed.

Goddess Sridevi sits on his chest, seated on a lotus rising from Lord Brahma’s navel. Most of the temples face east, but this one face west towards the river Penna. Around 100 forms of Vishnu carved on the walls of the temple.

Next to the temple a tree, the couple is blessed to have children from the tree known as Santana Vriksha. The woman tears off a piece of saree place offerings and ties it in the form of a cradle to get blessings.

Festivals and Puja:

Brahmotsavam very well celebrated in the month of March-April. Devotees from all over India come here to celebrate the Ratha Yatra, the most famous annual ritual held at the temple.

Various seva-pujas performed at Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh

A devotee can perform various pujas – seva – in the temple and seek blessings from Vishnu. There are many important rituals like Poolangi Seva Ubhayakatnam, Parthika Kalyanam, Nithyakalyanam, Abhishekam / Thirumanjanam, Sahasranama Archana, Ashtottara Shatanama Archana, Karpura Sarathi, Addala Meda entry etc.

Some pujas can be performed on special days or one day of the year. Mulvarla special, darshan, permanent welfare, Saraswati sahasranama pooja, permanent ashtottara puja, permanent annaprasada distribution.

Location:

Located on the banks of the Pennar River, Ranganatha Temple is one of the most famous temples in Nellore. The temple holds great religious importance and considered one of the oldest temples in the region, attracting a large number of devotees.

Architect:

The temple also known for its beautiful architecture and exquisite sculptures. It has seven golden pots decorated with huge mirrors on the temple premises.

The Addala Mandapam or Minor Hall inside the complex known for its intricate inlay work. It is the main part of the temple as it the place where the idol of Sri Ranganathaswamy, the main deity of the temple enshrined.

Nellore Ranganathaswamy Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to Ranganatha, the sleeping form of Lord Vishnu, in Andhra Pradesh, India.

This temple is one of the oldest temples in Nellore, also known as Talpagiri Ranganathaswamy Temple or Ranganayaka Swamy Temple.

History of Ranganathaswamy Swamy Temple:

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple established by the Pallava kings in the 7th century. Later in the 12th century, King Raja Mahendra Varma created the temple.

It situated on the banks of the Penna river. A huge gopuram called Galigopuram literally means “tower of the wind”.

The tower about 70 feet high and surrounded by 10-foot gold-plated vessels called kalasams.

A great festival held every year from March – April (which varies according to the Indian calendar). These called Brahmotsavams.

Sri Vishnu Sahasranamavali or 1,000 different names of Lord Vishnu displayed on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamavali during the Parikrama of the temple. A statue of Lord Ranganathaswamy seen in the lying posture of Ananth.

The Ranganathaswamy Swamy temple also has a house of mirrors which is a major attraction for devotees. The Ammavari Andal Ammavari primary temple has a separate Goddess Rajya Lakshmi Devi shrine on the south side and a north-facing shrine.