DIVYA DESAMs - 41/108 - Thiruvahindrapuram
Name of the Divya Desam : Devanadhaswamy temple
Location : Cuddalore circle,Cuddalore Dist.
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Deivanayaga Perumal/ Sri Devanadha Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Hemambujavalli Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)
Thirumugam (Facing) : East
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
As per legend Arjuna undertook penance at this temple and hence this Divya Desam dates back to the Mahabaratha.
As per another legend the Devas needed help to defeat Asuras who were disturbing them in Devaloga, they prayed to Lord Vishnu in Thiruvahindrapuram. Vishnu appeared and killed the Asuras with his Chakra (discus). After the war, the Lord was thirsty and wanted water, so Garuda (Lord's vahana) started digging with his beak, creating a water body known as Garuda Theertham. But as he was taking too long, Lord Vishnu's serpent Adiseshan used his tail to quickly dig a well for Him and quenched the thirst, which is known as Sesha Theertham.
About the temple:
Generally, milk for snakes will be poured into Putru (snake pit), but instead here in this place, the milk is poured into Sesha Theertham. With this Sesha Theertham, the neivedhyam (food) or Prasadham is done for Perumal and with the Garuda Theertham, the Thirumanjanam (divine bath for Perumal) is done.
It is also believed that a few pieces from the Sanjeevani hill, carried by Lord Anjaneya to Lanka fell on Oushada Giri ( the mountain here). On top of this hill is a temple for Maha Vishnu's incarnation * Hayagrivar, * who appeared before the * Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan. *
Devanadha Perumal is seen with the Lotus in the inner palm of his right hand, and in the fore head he has the Third eye along with Jada mudi and holding Sangu (Conch) and Chakram (Discus) in his hands. This darshan tells us that all the Trimurthis are same because, Lotus here represents Lord Brahma, Third eye and Jada Mudi is of Lord Shiva and Sangu and Chakram belongs to Lord Vishnu.
Vaishnava Saint Thirumangai Azhwar in his hymns-Periya Thirumozhi verses, refers to Lord of Thiruvahindrapuram as Deiva Nayakan. In the last verse, he refers to the procession deity as * Moovar Aagiya Oruvan * (All three Lords in One).
DIVYA DESAMs - 42/108 - Thirukovalur/ Thirukoilur
Name of the Divya Desam : Trivikrama swamy temple
Location : Thirukoilur circle,Villupuram Dist.
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Trivikrama Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Poonkoval Nachiyar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)
Thirumugam (Facing) : East
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) : Boodathazhwar, Poigai Azhwar, Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
The Bhagavata Purana describes that Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra over the heavens, as it had been taken by Mahabali, a benevolent Asura King. Mahabali was the grandson of Bhakth Prahlada. He was generous and engaged in severe austerities and penance and won the praise of the world. With the praise from his courtiers and others, he regarded himself as the all powerful in the world.
Vamana, in the guise of a short Brahmin carrying a wooden umbrella, went to the king to request three feet of land. Mahabali consented, against the warning of his guru, Sukracharya. Vamana then revealed his identity and enlarged to gigantic proportions to stride over the three worlds. He stepped from heaven to earth with the first step, from earth to the netherworld with the second.
King Mahabali, unable to fulfill his promise, offered his head for the third. Vamana then placed His Foot and gave the king immortality for his humility. In worshiping Mahabali and his ancestor Prahláda, he conceded sovereignty of Pátála, the netherworld. In giant form, Vamana is known as Trivikrama Perumal. The legend is also associated with Thrikkakara Temple in Kerala and Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram.
As per legend Sage Mrigandu wanted to have Vishwarupa Darshan of the Lord and approached Lord Brahma for His advice. As suggested by Brahma, the sage alongwith his wife came to Krishna Kshetra (now Thirukoilur) on the banks of Krishnabadra river and did penance to realize his wish.
Lord came to the hermitage in the guise of an old Brahmin and begged for food. The sage didn’t have even a single grain of rice to offer.
Sage's wife Mitravathi went inside, took a bowl in hand and prayed to Lord Narayana to fill the bowl with food, it got filled and she fed the Brahmin (Lord). Pleased with their devotion, Perumal granted His Vishwarupa darshan to the sage couple.
About the temple:
This is the holy place where the first three Azhwars-Poigai Azhwar, Boodathazhwar and Peyazhwar- met together incidentally by the grace of Lord. It was night and raining heavily. Poigai Azhwar sought a place in the Ashram of Sage Mrigandu. He was shown a place to rest down. After a little while, Boodhathazwar came to the same place for a space. The first Azhwar shared the space just sufficient for two to sit. The third Azhwar-Peyazhwar too came there. The two shared the space with him sufficient only for standing. Suddenly, they were pressed due to the presence of a fourth comer who was but Perumal Himself granting His darshan. The Three Azhwars attained salvation in this holy land.
An unique feature here is that * Perumal is holding the conch in the right hand and the discus in the left, * which is normally seen on the opposite. It is said that the Lord here is in a mood of victory over Mahabali, after happily blowing his conch holding it in his right hand.
It is noteworthy that the holy scriptures Nalayira Divya Prabandam containing 4000 verses in praise of Lord Vishnu sung by 12 Azhwars from time to time at various places, began from Thirukovalur.
It is mostly in Shiva temples, we see Mother Vishnu Durga in the prakaras. In Thirukovalur temple, Lord and His beloved Sister Swayambhu Durga (Maya the feminine form of Lord Vishnu) are in shrines nearby to each other. Thirumangai Azhwar who generally praises Lord alone in his hymns had made a devotional line to Mother Durga in one of his verses.
There is a 40 feet tall Garuda Pillar with a small temple built on it opposite Perumal shrine. It is believed that Garuda Bhagwan is worshipping Lord from this temple.
Thirukoilur temple is one among the Pancha Krishna Sthalas – Five great temples of Lord Krishna, the other four are
Thirukannapuram, Thirukannangudi, Thirukannamangai and Kabisthalam,
DIVYA DESAMs - 43/108 - Thirukacchi/ Atthigiri
Name of the Divya Desam : Sathyavradha kshetram/ Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple
Location : Kanchipuram
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Varadaraja Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Perundevi Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)
Thirumugam (Facing) : West
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Boodathazhwar, Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
As per legend Lord Brahma did penance to get the darshan of Sriman Narayanan in Chathur Bhujam (with four hands). Perumal gave darshan in the form of theertham, which is called as "Pushkaram". Then he came in the form of forest, which is called as "Naimisaranyam". But still, Lord Brahma was not satisfied.
At that time, he heard an Asarari (Voice from Sky) saying that to get the darshan of Sri Varadharajar, he must do Ashwametha yagam (Sathya viradam) for hundred times. But, Lord Brahma felt so depressed that he doesn't have time, finally as per Sriman Narayanan, he performed one Ashwametha yagam at Kanchipuram. It is believed that doing one Yagam at Kanchi is equivalent to doing 100 yagams. Lord Perumal was pleased and gave darshan from the fire of the yagam as Sri Varadharajar. "Ka" - means Brahma and "Anjitham" - worshipped by him. Since, Brahma worshipped Perumal as Varadharajar, this sthalam is called "Kanchi".
About the temple:
Ayodhya King's son Asamanjan and his wife due to a curse took the form of Lizards. As per Upamanyu's advice, they worshipped Lord Varadharajar here and got back their original forms. Both these lizards can be seen in this sthalam in a small sannadhi. * Devotees who come to this temple believe that if they touch and worship these lizards will get their diseases cured. *
* Lord 'Atti Varada' made out of a special wood 'Atti' is kept submerged in the temple tank. An ancient moorthy (idol) in a reclining posture brought out once in 40 years for devotees darshan. Next darshan is in the month of July 2019. *
* Thirukkachi Nambigal (also known as Kanchi Purnar) was an ardent devotee of Lord Varadarajar here. * He used to bring flowers everyday from Poovirundhavalli, where he maintained a garden. He did Aalavatta Kaingariyam, waving to produce breeze with the help of hand fan. It is believed that Vardharaja used to converse with him, while he was doing that seva. Aalavatta Kaingariyam is a worship practise followed even today.
Saint Udayavar Ramanujar lived in Kanchipuram, he worshipped and did Thirumanjanam (divine bath for the Perumal) and for this, he used to get the water from the well which is 2 miles away. Hence he was called by the name "Ethiraja Maamuni" by Sri Varadharaja Perumal Himself. Sri Ramanujar, got answers to his six questions from Lord Varadharaja through Sri Thirukkachi Nambigal.
* Chakkarathazhwar * is in huge form and has 16 hands holding conch and discus. This is also the birth place of Sri Vaishnava Guru Swami Vedantha Desikar.
DIVYA DESAMs - 44/108 - Ashtabujakaram
Name of the Divya Desam : Adhikeshava Perumal temple
Location : Kanchipuram
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Adhikeshava Perumal/ Sri Ashtabuja Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Alarmelmangai Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)
Thirumugam (Facing) : West
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Thirumangai Azhwar, Peyazhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
As per the legend in an attempt to disrupt Aswamedha Yaga conducted by Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswathi in her continous struggle sent Sarabha, a peculiar type of a violent creature along with the Asuras.
To save Brahma and his yaga, Lord Vishnu appeared in an unusual form with eight hands, holding weapons and killed asuras and suppressed Sarabha. Lord Perumal is seen with Chakram (Discus), Sword, a Flower and an Arrow on the 4 right hands and Sangu(Conch), Bow, Shield and Gadha (Mace) on the left hands. Since the Lord gave darshan with eight hands, this place is known as Ashtabujakaram and the Lord is known as Sri Ashtabuja Perumal.
About the temple:
This is the only Divya Desam with a Mangalasasanam (hymn) dedicated exclusively for Alarmelmangai Thayar. As per legend Lord Vishnu was in this place as Adi Kesava Perumal even before taking the form of Ashtabuja Perumal after Azhwars’ Mangalasasanams.
This temple is associated with the legend of Gajendra Moksham (as in Kapistalam Divya Desam), where it is believed that a devout elephant Gajendran, who was in the habit of making an offering of lotus flowers from the Ashtabhuja temple tank to Lord Vishnu was caught by the grip of a crocodile.
The pleas of the elephant were answered by Lord Vishnu who vanquished the crocodile with his chakra (discus). Legend has it that Peyazhwar was blessed with a vision of Gajendra moksham at this shrine.
DIVYA DESAMs - 45/108 - Thiruthanka/ Thoopul
Name of the Divya Desam : Vilakkoli Perumal temple
Location : Kanchipuram
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Vilakkoli Perumal/Sri Deepaprakasar Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Maragadhavalli Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)
Thirumugam (Facing) : West
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
As per legend Lord Brahma wanted to do the Aswamedha Yagna in Kanchipuram. He did not invite his own consort Goddess Saraswathi for this yagna. Due to this, Sri Saraswathi got angry and cursed Lord Brahma that there should not be any light to conduct the yagna.
Lord Brahma approached Lord Vishnu seeking his help in providing light. Lord Narayana appeared before Brahma in the form of the jyoti(light) and helped him conduct the yagna. Thus, Lord Perumal here came to be known as Vilakkoli Perumal (Vilakkoli means Lamp light).
Later, Lord Perumal helped in making Brahma and Saraswathi unite and come together. Lord Perumal granted his darshan to Mother Saraswathi in this place.
Without proper understanding of Jeevathma and Paramathma, the Knowledge we get will be influenced by Maya(darkness). Lord Perumal here, removes the darkness through his Gnana Oli (Light of Knowledge) thereby blessing all His devotees.
About the temple:
This place is also known as Thoopul as it was dense with Dharba grass. This is the birth place of *Vaishnava Acharya Sri Vedanta Maha Desikar, * hence he is praised as Thoopul Vedanta Desikar. His mother was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Pleased by her devotion, Tirupati Lord Balaji made His Bell to be born as Sri Vedanta Desikar.
It is believed that the temple was completely constructed by Sri. Nayina Varadachari, son of Vedanta Desikar. There is a separate shrine for Sri Desikar in this temple. Devotees can have darshan of Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva idol, worshipped by Sri Desikar in the temple.
DIVYA DESAMs - 46/108 - Thiruvelukkai
Name of the Divya Desam : Azhagiya Singar Perumal temple
Location : Kanchipuram
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal/Sri Narasimha Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Velukkaivalli Thayar/ Amruthavalli Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Veetrirundha (Sitting) - Padmasanam
Thirumugam (Facing) : West
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
As per legend a group of demons came to destroy a yajna proposed by Lord Brahma. He prayed to Lord Perumal for protection. As Perumal appeared from a pillar to protect Prahladha in lion-human form (Narasimhar), He came now in the same form from Hasthisailam cave and drove the demons. They disappeared from this place in Kancheepuram. Lord stayed here sitting in Yoga position facing west as "Sri Yoga Narasimhar".
Vel means wish and "Irukkai" means residence. Thus Tiruvelukkai, is a derivation of the terms meaning the place where Lord Perumal resided happily. It is believed that the original image of deity of the temple was east facing standing posture of Lord Vishnu as he appeared for Sage Bhrigu and later appeared as Shri Azhagiya Singar.
About the temple:
Sri Garuda Bhagwan (vahana of the Lord) appears with his head slightly on a side as if unable to bear the fury of the Lord. This is a strange and unique posture of Garuda in this temple.
Sri Vedantha Desikar in his "Kamasikashtakam" explains about Sri Narasimhar and his wish to stay in this sthalam. (Kamasi - Kama + Aasika - standing on his own wish).
DIVYA DESAMs - 47/108 - Thiruneeragam
Name of the Divya Desam : Ulagalandha Perumal temple
Location : Kanchipuram
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Jagadeesa Perumal/Sri Ulagalandha Perumal
Thayaar (Consort) : Nilamangaivalli Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Nindra (Standing)
Thirumugam (Facing) : South
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
The legend behind this divya desam is that Neer, the water is the primary and necessary element and elixir of all the life on the earth. To explain this, Sri Narayanan is giving darshan as "Jagadeeswa Perumal". The Perumal is also called as "Thiru Neeragathan". It symbolises that as water rushes towards the place where there is a small opening or hole, likewise, Lord flows into the hearts of the bhaktas and and fill their soul with bhakthi.
About the temple:
Thiru Neeragam temple is within the Thiru Ooragam (Ulagalandha Perumal) temple.
Sri Ulagalandha Perumal Kovil has the significance that this temple enshrines three Divya Desams – Thiruneeragam, Thirukkaragam, and Thirukaravanam in its precinct.
DIVYA DESAMs - 48/108 - Thirupaadagam
Name of the Divya Desam : Paandava Thootha Perumal temple
Location : Kanchipuram
Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Paandava Thootha Perumal/ Sri Parthasarathy
Thayaar (Consort) : Rukmini Devi Thayar, Sathyabama Devi Thayar
Thirukkolam (Posture) : Veetrirundha (Sitting)
Thirumugam (Facing) : East
Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :
Boodathazhwar, Peyazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar
Sthalapurana (Brief History) :
As per legend based on Mahabharatha, Sri Krishna went to the Kauravas as an ambassador (Thootha) of the Pandavas. Duryodhana, the king of the Kauravas, had a plan to arrest and kill Krishna while he was in Hastinapura.
He dug a deep pit and covered it with a carpet and a chair studded with gems. He had wrestlers hidden in the pit to wrangle Krishna. Krishna, being the avatar of Vishnu portrayed Vishwaroopa (Giant form) to all and also to Dhritarashtra, the blind king and father of Duryodana.
When Krishna offered a boon to Dhritarashtra, he requested Krishna to make him blind again as he did not want to see anything after seeing the Vishwaroopa.
Krishna also appeared in the same form to Janamajeya, the great-grandson of Arjuna, who was doing penance to view god in Vishwaroopa. 'Pada' means big and 'Agam' means residence, signifying Thirupadagam as the place where Vishnu resides in his giant form. Since the Lord came as an Ambassador (Thootha) of Pandavas, He is known as Pandava Thootha Perumal.