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Divya Desams

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Divya Desams
Lord Vishnu
Divya Desams refer to the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in
the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Divya means "premium" and
Desam indicates "place" (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are in India,
one is in Nepal, and two are supposedly outside the Earthly realms.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya
Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other
major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra
Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63
Nayanars.
Azhwars
Image of Rangamannar-Andal temple in Srivilliputhur
The word azhwar means the one who dives deep into the ocean of
the countless attributes of god. Azhwars are considered the twelve
supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in
popularising Vaishnavism during the 5th-8th centuries A.D. The
religious works of these saints in Tamil, songs of love and
devotion, are compiled as Nalayira Divya Prabandham containing
4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are
classified as Divya desam.
[1]
The saints had different origins and
belonged to different castes. As per tradition, the first three
azhwars, Poigai, Bhutha and Pey were born miraculously.
Tirumizhisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi,
Peria and Andal were from brahmin community, Kulasekhara from Kshatria community, Namm was from a
cultivator family, Tirupana from panar community and Tirumangai from kazhwar community. Divya Suri Saritra by
Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century AD), Guruparamparaprabavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, Periya tiru
mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokacharya, commentaries on Divya
Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the
azhwars and their works. According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu.
Poigai is considered an incarnation of Panchajanya (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of Kaumodakee (Vishnu's
Mace/Club), Pey of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshanam (Vishnu's discus), Namm of
Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of Vainatheya (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of
Kaustubha (Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in
her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of Vanamaalai (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of Srivatsa (An auspicious
mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of Saranga (Krishna's bow). The songs of Prabandam are regularly sung
in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.
Divya Desams
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According to traditional account by Manavala Mamunigal, the first three azhwars namely Poigai, Bhoothath and Pey
belong to Dwapara Yuga (before 4200 BC). Modern historians place the period of azhwars from the 5th to 8th
century AD, but there is dispute about the chronology and relation between each other. But it is widely accepted by
tradition and historians that the trio are the earliest among the twelve azhwars. Along with the three Saiva
nayanmars, they influenced the ruling Pallava kings, creating a Bhakti movement that resulted in changing the
religious geography from Buddhism and Jainism to these two sects of Hinduism in the region. The azhwars were
also instrumental in promoting the Bhagavatha cult and the two epics of India, namely, Ramayana and
Mahabaratha.
[2]
The azhwars were instrumental in spreading Vaishnavism throughout the region.
[3]
The verses of
the various azhwars were compiled by Nathamuni (824-924 AD), a 10th-century Vaishnavite theologian, who called
it the "Tamil Veda".
List of Divya Desams
The list of 108 Divya Desams is given in this table:
[4]
108 Divya Desams
North India/Nepal Malai Nadu Madurai Kanchipuram Chennai
1. Ahobilam - Andhra Pradesh
2. Muktinath, Saligramam
Nepal
3. Naimisaranya - Uttar
Pradesh
4. Mathura - Uttar Pradesh
5. Gokul - Uttar Pradesh
6. Devprayag - Uttarakhand
7. Tirupathi - Andhra Pradesh
8. Badrinath temple -
Uttarakhand
9. Ayodhya - Uttar Pradesh
10. Dwarka - Gujarat
11. Thiruvananthapuram
12. Thirukatkarai
13. Moozhikkalam
14. Tiruvalla
15. Thirukadithanam
16. Sengunroor
17. Thiruppuliyoor
18. Thiruvaaranvilai
19. Thiruvanvandoor
20. Thiru naavaay
21. Viththuvakkodu
22. Thirumeyyam
23. Thirukoshtiyur
24. Koodal Azhagar
Temple
25. Azhagar Kovil
26. Tirumogoor
27. Srivilliputhur
28. Tiruththangal
29. Thiruppullani
30. Thiruvengadam
31. Tirukkacchi
32. Ashtabujakaram
33. Tiruvekkaa
34. Tiruththanka
35. Tiruvelukkai
36. Tirukalvanoor
37. Tiru oorakam
38. Tiru neeragam
39. Tiru kaaragam
40. Tirukaarvaanam
41. Tiru parameswara
vinnagaram
42. Tiru pavala vannam
43. Tiru paadagam
44. Tiru nilaaththingal thundam
45. Thiruputkuzhi
46. Thiruvallikeni
47. Thiruneermalai
48. Thiruvidandai
49. Thirukadalmallai
50. Thiruninravur
51. Thiruvallur
52. Thirukkadigai
Mayiladuthurai and
Sirkazhi
Thanjavur Trichy Tirunelveli Kanyakumari
Divya Desams
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53. Thiruvazhunthoor
54. Thiruindaloor
55. Kazheesirama
Vinnagaram
56. Thirukkavalampadi
57. Thiruchsemponsey
58. Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram
59. Thiru Vanpurushothamam
60. Thiruvaikunda
vinnagaram
61. Thirumanimadam
62. Thiruthevanartthogai
63. Thiruthetriyambalam
64. Thirumanikkoodam
65. Thiruvellakkulam
66. Thiruppaarththanpalli
67. Thalai Sanga
Nanmathiyam
68. Thiruchsirupuliyoor
69. Thiruvali-Thirunagari
70. Thiruccithra kootam
71. Thirukkannangudi
72. Thirunagai
73. Thiru Thanjai
74. Tirukkoilur
75. Thirukkoodaloor
76. Thiru Kavith Thalam
77. Thiru Adhanoor
78. Thirupullabhoothangudi
79. Thirukkudandhai
80. Thiruccherai
81. Thirunandipura
Vinnagaram
82. ThiruNaraiyoor
83. Thiruvinnagar
84. Thiruvelliyangudi
85. Thirukkanamangai
86. Thirukkkannapuram
87. Thirukkandiyur
88. Sri Rangam
89. Thirukkozhi
90. Thirukkarambanoor
91. Thiruvellarai
92. Thiru Anbil
93. Thirupper Nagar
94. Thiruvanthipuram
95. Thiruvaramangai
96. Thirukkurungudi
97. Srivaikundam
98. Thiruvaragunamangai
99. Thiruppulingudi
100. Thirukkurugoor
101. Thirutthulaivillimangalam
102. Thirukkoloor
103. Thirukkulandhai
104. Thentirupperai
105. Thiruvattaru
106.
Thiruvanparisaram
Vinnulagam (Outside the Earthly realm)
107. Thirupaarkadal
108. Thiruparamapadham
List of Deities in Divyadesams
The list of deities
[5]
in the divyadesams is shown.
S.No. Divyadesam Thayar (Lakshmi) Swamy (Vishnu)
1 Srirangam Ranganayagi Ranganathar (Periya Perumal)
2 Thirukozhi Kamalavalli Vasalakshmi Sundaravaraya Perumal
3 Thirukarambanur Poornaavalli Purushothama Perumal
4 Thiruvellarai Rakthapankajavalli Pundarikaksha Perumal
5 Thiruanbil Soundaryavalli Sundaramoorthaye Poornaya Perumal
6 Thiruppernagar Indravalli Appala Ranganatha Perumal
7 Thirukandiyur Kamalavalli Kamalanatha, Harasabavimochana Perumal
8 Thirukoodalur Padmasani Jagathrakshaga Perumal
9 Thirukavithalam Ramamanivalli Gajendravaradha Perumal
10 Thiruppullamboothangudi Hemabja Thrudathanvee Ramabadhra Perumal
11 Thiruaadhanur Ranganayagi Varshakalathinayaka Perumal
12 Thirukudanthai Komalavalli Aparyapthamrutha Perumal
13 Thiruvinnagar Boodevi Lavanavarjitha Srinivasa Perumal
14 Thirunaraiyur Vanjulavalli Srinivasa Perumal
15 Thirucherai Saranayagi Saranatha Perumal
16 Thirunandhipura Vinnagaram Shenbagavalli Jagannatha Perumal
17 Thiruvelliyangudi Maragadhavalli Srungarasundara Danushbani Ramaya Perumal
18 Thirukannamangai Abishegavalli Bhaktavatsala Perumal
Divya Desams
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19 Thirukannapuram Kannapura Sowriraja Perumal
20 Thirukannangudi Loganayagi Lokanatha Perumal
21 Thirunagai Soundaryavalli Neelamega Perumal
22 Thiruthanjai Mamanikoil Rakthapankajavalli Neelamega Perumal
Manikundram Ambujavalli Maniparvatha Perumal
Thanjaiyali Nagar Thanjanayagi Narasimha Perumal
23 Thiruvazhundur Rakthapankajavalli Devadhiraja Perumal
24 Thiruchirupuliyur Dhayanayagi Krupasamudra Perumal
25 Thiruthalaichanga Nanmadiyam Siras sanga Chandrasabahara Perumal
26 Thiruindalur Parimalaranga Parimalaranganatha Perumal
27 Thirukazhicheerama Vinnagaram Loganayagi Lokanatha Thrivikrama Perumal
28 Thirukkavalambadi Pankajavalli Gopala Krishna Perumal
29 Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram Amrudhagadavalli Gadakeli Narthanaya Perumal
30 Thiruvanpurushothamam Purushothama Purushothama Perumal
31 Thirusemponsaikoil Sweda Pushpavalli Hemaranganatha Perumal
32 Thirumanimadakoil Pundareegavalli Sashvatha Deepaya Narayana Perumal
33 Thiruvaigunda Vinnagaram Vaigundavalli Vaikuntanatha Perumal
34 Thiruthetriambalam Rakthapankajavalli Lakshmiranga Perumal
35 Thirumanikoodam Boonayagi Varadharaja Perumal
36 Thiruparthanpalli Kamala Parthasarathy roopa, Kamalapathaye Perumal
37 Thiruvali & Thirunagari Amrudhagadavalli Kedarapathivaraya Perumal
38 Thiruthevanarthogai Samudradanaya Devanayaka Perumal
39 Thiruvellakulam Padmavathi Srinivasa Perumal
40 Thiruchitrakoodam Pundareegavalli Govindaraja Perumal
41 Thiruvaheendrapuram Hemabujavalli Devanatha Perumal
42 Thirukkovalur Pushpavalli Thrivikrama Perumal
43 Thirukkachi - Atthigiri Perundevi Devathiraja Perumal
44 Ashtabuyagaram Padmasani Gajendravarada Perumal
45 Thiruthanka Maragadhavalli Deepaprakasa Perumal
46 Thiruvelukkai Amruthavalli Sundharayoghanarasimha Perumal
47 Thiruneeragam Boovalli Jagadeeswara Perumal
48 Thiruppadagam Rukmani Sathyabama Pandavadootha Perumal
49 Thiru Nilathingal Thundam Chandrasoodavalli Chandrasooda Perumal
50 Thiruooragam Amudavalli Thrivikrama Perumal
51 Thiruvehka Komalavalli Yathokthakari Perumal
52 Thirukkaragam Padmamani Karunagara Perumal
53 Thirukkarvaanam Kamalavalli Neelamega Perumal
54 Thirukkalvanur Sundarabimbavalli Choranatha Perumal
55 Thiruppavalavannam Pravalavalli Pravalavarna Perumal
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56 Thiruparamechura Vinnagaram Vaigundavalli Vaikundanatha Perumal
57 Thirupputkuzhi Maragadavalli Vijayaraghava Perumal
58 Thirunindravur Sudhavalli Bhaktavatsala Perumal
59 Thiruevvul Kanagavalli Vaidhya Veeraraghava Perumal
60 Thiruvallikeni Rukmani Venkatakrishna Perumal
61 Thiruneermalai Sundaravalli Jalathivarnaya Perumal
62 Thiruidaventhai Komalavalli Lakshmivaraha Perumal
63 Thirukkadalmallai Boosthalamangadevi Sthalasayana Perumal
64 Thirukkadigai Amruthabalavalli Yoganarasimha Perumal
65 Thiruvayothi Seethadevi Ramachandra Perumal
66 Thirunaimisaranyam Sriharilakshmi Devaraja Perumal
67 Thirupruthi Parimalavalli Paramapurushaya Perumal
68 Thirukkandamenum Kadinagar Pundareegavalli Neelamega Perumal
69 Thiruvadariyachramam Aravindavalli Badrinarayana Perumal
70 Thirusalakraamam Sridevi Srimoorthi Perumal
71 Thiruvadamadurai Sathyabama Govardhanagiridhari Perumal
72 Thiruvaipadi Rukmani Sathyabama Navamohanakrishna Perumal
73 Thirudwaragai Lakshmi Rukmanyadhi Ashtamahishi, Dwarakadeesa Perumal
74 Thirusingavelkundram Amruthavalli Senchulakshmi Lakshminarasimha Perumal
75 Thiruvengadam(Mel Thirupathi) Padmavathi Srinivasa Perumal
76 Thirunavai Padmavathi Narayana Perumal
77 Thiruvithuvakodu Vithuvakoduvalli Sri Abhayapradhaya Perumal
78 Thirukatkarai Vathsalyavalli Katkaraswami Perumal
79 Thirumoozhikkalam Madhuraveni Sookthinatha Perumal
80 Thiruvallavazh Vathsalyavalli Sundaraya Perumal
81 Thirukkadithalam Karpagavalli Amruthanarayana Perumal
82 Thiruchengundrur Rakthapankajavalli Devathideva Perumal
83 Thiruppuliyur Hemalatha Mayashaktiyuthaswamy Perumal
84 Thiruvaranvilai Padmasani Vamana Perumal
85 Thiruvanvandoor Kamalavalli Kamalanatha Perumal
86 Thiruvananthapuram Harilakshmi Ananthapadmanabha Perumal
87 Thiruvattaru Maragadhavalli Adhikesava Perumal
88 Thiruvanparisaram Kamalavalli Vamanaya Perumal
89 Thirukkurungudi vamanashetravalli Vamanakshetrapoornaya Perumal
90 Thirucheeravaramangai Chireevaramangaivalli Thothadhrinatha Perumal
91 Thiruvaigundam (Navathirupathi) Boonayagi, Vaigundavalli Vaikuntanatha Perumal
92 Thiruvaragunamangai (navathirupathi) Varagunavalli Vijayasana Perumal
93 Thiruppuliangudi (Navathirupathi) Boonayagi Boomipalaya Vairinedharchidha Gopaya Perumal
94 Thirutholaivillimangalam(Navathirupathi) Visalakrishnakshidevi Aravindhalochana Perumal
Divya Desams
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95 Thirukkulandai(Navathirupathi) Baligavalli Padmavathi Srinivasa Perumal
96 Thirukkolur(Navathirupathi) Kolurvalli Nikshepavithaya Perumal
97 Thirupperai (Navathirupathi) Kundalakarnadevi Dheerga Magarakundaladharaya Perumal
98 Thirukkurugur (Navathirupathi) Aadhinathavalli Aadhinatha Perumal
99 Thiruvillipputhur Kodhadevi Vadapathrasayee Perumal
100 Thiruthangal Rakthapankajavalli Narayana Perumal
101 Thirukkoodal Madhuravalli Sangamasundharaya Perumal
102 Thirumaliruncholai Sundaravalli Chorasundara Perumal
103 Thirumogur Mohavalli Kalamega Perumal
104 Thirukkoshtiyur Mahalakshmi Uraga Mrudusayanaya Perumal
105 Thiruppullani Kalyanavalli, Padmasani Kalyana Jagannatha Perumal
106 Thirumeyyam Ujjeevana Sathyagirinatha Perumal
107 Thirupparkadal BooSamudradhanaya Ksheerabdhinatha Perumal
108 Thirupparamapadham Mahalakshmya Paramapadhanathaya Perumal
Gallery
Srirangam
Temple
Varadaraja
Perumal Temple
Tirupathi Devastanam Sarangapani
Temple
Srivilliputhur Temple Azhagar Kovil
Divya Desams
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Notes
[1] [1] Dalal 2011, pp. 20-21
[2] [2] B.S. 2011, p. 42
[3] [3] B.S. 2011, pp. 47-48
[4] [4] Govindchrya 1902, p. 59-69
[5] http:/ / srividesikan. web. officelive. com/ Documents/ Divya%20Desa%20Divya%20Thambathigal%20Namavali. pdf
References
B. S., Chandrababu; S., Ganeshram; C., Bhavani (2011). History of People and Their Environs (http:/ / books.
google. co. in/ books?id=crxUQR_qBXYC& pg=PA47& dq=poygai& hl=en& sa=X&
ei=50R0UaefIZGy9gSDt4DoCA& ved=0CC8Q6AEwADgU#v=onepage& q=poygai& f=false). Bharathi
Puthakalayam. ISBN9789380325910.
Chari, S. M. Srinivasa (1997). Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the lvrs (http:/ / books. google. co. in/
books?id=8TwHhuZrZ-wC& pg=PA16& dq=poygai& hl=en& sa=X& ei=JTZ0UY6UEoqC8ATkloHgDA&
ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q=poygai& f=false). Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.
ISBN9788120813427.
Dalal, Roshen (2011). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide (http:/ / books. google. co. in/
books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC& pg=PA308& dq=poigai& hl=en& sa=X& ei=ozhzUYPiC4Ga9gT74YGYBQ&
ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q=poigai& f=false). Penguin Books India. ISBN9780143414216.
Das, Sisir Kumar; Shitya Akdem (2005). A history of Indian literature, 500-1399: from courtly to the popular
(http:/ / books. google. co. in/ books?id=BC3l1AbPM8sC& pg=PA29& dq=madhurakavi+ azhwar& hl=en&
sa=X& ei=WcviUarJC7LC4AOX0oCYDg& ved=0CDYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage& q=madhurakavi azhwar&
f=false). chennai: Shitya Akdem. ISBN81-260-2171-3.
Ramanujan, Attipat Krishnaswami (2005). Hymns for the Drowning: Poems for Vishnu (http:/ / books. google.
com/ books?id=9pa7-h0jhB0C& printsec=frontcover& dq=nammalvar& hl=en& sa=X&
ei=u3TVUa-HG47Y8gSW94DIDA& ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA). Penguin Books. ISBN9780144000104.
Govindchrya, Akoavilli (1902). The Holy Lives of the Azhvrs: Or, the Drvida Saints (http:/ / books.
google. co. in/ books?id=SoTe_qTyIKIC& dq=periyazhvar& source=gbs_navlinks_s). Mysore: G. T. A. Press.
External links
www.divyadesam.com (http:/ / www. divyadesam. com)
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Divya Desams Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=608429196 Contributors: Ana8kor, Anup Ramakrishnan, Aprameyak 1991, Arun.rajagopal, B, Balajiviswanathan,
Casablanca2000in, Charanvamsi, Crusoe8181, DaGizza, Dharmadhyaksha, Discospinster, Eric Corbett, Faizhaider, Gaura79, Gksrikant, GourangaUK, Hari7478, Hongooi, ImpuMozhi, Ism
schism, Kalpathyram, Kumararaj, KyraVixen, Lifebonzza, Logicwiki, Lotje, Mallan23, Mamaberry11, Mattbr, Nagarjuna198, Nmadhubala, Nsmohan, Oculi, PKT, Padmakishore,
Padmavasantha, Paul Raj, Philosopher123, PhnomPencil, Piggy bits, Pinecar, Polar, Priyanath, R'n'B, RaghuOnWiki, Raji.srinivas, Ravik, Redtigerxyz, Rhariram, Rjwilmsi, Roland zh, Ronz,
Rs4670, Sharmanic2002, Shijualex, Squids and Chips, Ssriram mt, Sureshpb, The Evil Spartan, Vadakkan, Vaishmurali, VasuVR, Vidhyasathy, Vimalkalyan, Vineethvijayaraghavan,
Vishwajith33, Vpartha, WikiPuppies, Woohookitty, World8115, 97 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:Lakshmi Vishnu.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lakshmi_Vishnu.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Gunkarta, Redtigerxyz, Roland zh
File:Andal Temple.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Andal_Temple.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Gauthaman
File:Srirangam Temple Gopuram.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Srirangam_Temple_Gopuram.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/appaji/
File:Varadharajar3.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Varadharajar3.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Ssriram mt
File:Tirumala temple.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tirumala_temple.JPG License: Public domain Contributors: Vimalkalyan
File:Sarangapani Temple - Kumbakonam.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sarangapani_Temple_-_Kumbakonam.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Contributors: B Balaji
File:AzhagarKovil Madurai.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AzhagarKovil_Madurai.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors:
TAMIZHU
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