108 Divya Desams

108 Divya Desams - Lord Vishnu Temples

The Grace of Lord Vishnu is spread throughout the country, from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari.  There are several temples dedicated to God Vishnu, which are also called Sthalams.

Divya Desam Temples are 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 the last two are outside the Earthly realms.

The last two are Thirupalkaddal and Paramapadam. Tirupalkaddal is the ocean of milk and Paramapadam is the Srivaikuntam where lord Narayana presides.

The Divya desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. While most Divyadesams follow Thenkalai mode of worship, some follow Vadakalai too among others.

Trivandrum-Anantha-PadmanabhaSwamy-Vishnu

7 categories

The Divyadesams can be divided into 7 categories:

  1. Thondai Naadu temples
  2. Chozha Naadu temples
  3. Nadu Naadu Temples
  4. Pandiya Naadu Temples
  5. Malayala Naadu temples
  6. Vadu Naadu Temples
  7. Vinnulaga Thiruppathigal

3 positions

The idols of Lord Vishnu in these Divya Desams can be found in 3 positions:

  • Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping Position ) – 27 Divya desams
  • Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting Position ) – 21 Divya desams
  • Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Position ) – 60 Divya desams

Based on Directions

In these 108 Divya desams, Lord Vishnu can be seen facing one of four directions: east, north, south, and west.

On this basis, the Divya desams can be classified as:

  • Towards East direction – 79 Divya Desams
  • Towards West direction – 19 Divya Desams
  • Towards North direction – 3 Divya Desams
  • Towards South direction – 7 Divya Desams

Significance

In Hindu texts, these temples are often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikuntham, which in Tamil means heavens on earth. Each of the Divya Desam has its significance related to Sri Vaishnava legend. Almost all of these temples have separate shrines for Vishnu and Lakshmi.

List of 108 Divya Desam Temples

  • In North India, there are 9 Divya Desams,
  • In South India, there are 97 Divya Desams.
    • Especially in Tamil Nadu, there are 84 Divya Desams located,
    • 2 Divya Desams located in Andhra Pradesh and
    • 11 Divya Desams located in Kerala.

Divya Desam is classified as Chola Nadu (40), Nadu Nadu (2), Thondai Nadu (22), Pandiya Nadu (18), Malai Nadu (13), Vada Nadu (11) and Celestials (2).

Sri Venkateswara Swamy - 108 Divya Desams

Thondai Nadu Divya desams

In Thondai Nadu, there are 22 Divyadesams found and out of 22, 14 Divyadesams are found in Kanchipuram, which is the capital of the Pallava Empire.

Out of these 14 Divyadesams in Kanchipuram, Thirukkalvanoor Divyadesam is found inside Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple and Thirunilathingal Thundan is found inside Kanchi Ekambareswarar temple. These two temples are said to be "Saivism temple".

By giving the seva in these temples, the Perumal Sriman Narayanan explains the unity of Saivam and Vaishnavam.

Outside Kanchipuram is Thirupputkuzhi Divyadesam is found and near Chennai, Thiruvellikkeni and Thiruneermalai Divyadesams are found. Near Mahabalipuram, Thirukkadal Mallai and Thiruidavendhai Divyadesam are found.

Near Arakkonam, Thirukkadigai (Sholingar) and Thirunindraoor Divyadesam are found. Close to Arakkonam, Thiruevvul (Thiruvalloor) Divyadesam is situated.

Temples list

  1. Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram Divya desam
  2. Sri Ashtabuja Perumal Temple, Ashtabujakaram
  3. Thiruthanka (Thoopul) - Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple
  4. Thiru Velukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple
  5. Thiru Neeragam (Neeragathaan) - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple
  6. Thiru Paadagam - Sri Pandava Thoodhar Temple
  7. Thiru Nilathingal Thundam - Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple
  8. Thiru Ooragam (Ooragathaan) - Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
  9. Thiru Vekka - Sri Yathothakaari Temple
  10. Thiru Kaaragam (Kaaragathaan) - Sri Karunakara Perumal Temple
  11. Thirukkaar Vaanam - Sri Thirukkaar Vaanar Temple
  12. ThirukKalvanoor - Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple
  13. Thiru Pavala Vannan - Sri Pavala Vannar Temple
  14. Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram - Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple
  15. Thiruputkuzhi - Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
  16. Thiru Nindravoor - Sri Bhatavatsala Perumal Temple
  17. Thiru Evvul (Tiruvallore) - Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple
  18. Sri Parthasarathy Temple - Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam
  19. Tiruneermalai - Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple
  20. Thiru Ida Venthai (Tiruvedanthai) - Sri Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple
  21. Thiru Kadalmalai - Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple
  22. ThirukKadigai (Sholingur) - Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

Nadu Naadu Temples - Divya desams

In Nadu Nattu Thiruppathigal, two divya desams are situated. They are Thirukkoviloor and Thiruvahindrapuram.

Thirukkoviloor divyadesam is situated near Vizhuppuram. In this divyadesam, the Perumal gives the thirukkolam of Thirivikrama (Vaamanar) avathaaram.

In Thiruvahindrapuram, the perumal is Emperumaan Devanatha Swamy. Hayagreevar is found in a mountain nearer to this temple and it is situated near Cuddalore.

Temples list

  1. Thiruvahindrapuram - Sri Deyva Nayaga Perumal Temple
  2. Thirukovilur - Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple

Chozha Nadu / Chola Nadu Divya desams

In Chozha Nadu, there are 40 Divyadesams found. In these 40 Divyadesams,

  • Emperumaan gives his seva in Nindra Thirukkola seva in 23 divya desams,
  • in Kidantha kola sevain 13 Divyadesams and
  • in Irundha kola seva in 6 divya desams.

Facing his thirumugham along the East direction, he is givng his seva in 33 divya desams, along the West direction, he is found in 4 divya desams, along the South direction, he is found in 2 Divyadesams and along North direction, he is giving his seva only in 1 Divyadesam.

Among these 40 Divyadesams in Chozha Naadu, the perumal is said to be giving his seva in the perumal in Krishnavathaaram in 8 Divyadesams and as the perumal in Ramavathaaram in 3 Divyadesams.

In these 40 Divyadesams, Thiruvellkkulam is also called "Thenn Thirupathi". It is said that bhaktas can offer dedication to this Perumal who cant be able to go to Tirumala - Tirupati, so, this sthalaperumal and Sri Venkatachalapathy, Tirumala are considered to be the same.

In these 40 Divyadesams, the Thaayar is given the name on the base of the flower in 21 Divyadesams.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam - 108 Divya Desams

Temples list

  1. Thiruvarangam (Sri Rangam) - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
  2. Thirukkozhi - Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple
  3. Thirukkarambanoor - Sri Purushothaman Perumal Temple
  4. Thiruvellarai - Sri Pundarikashan Perumal Temple
  5. Thiru Anbil - Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple
  6. Thirupper Nagar - Sri Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple
  7. Thirukkandiyur - Sri Hara Saabha Vimocchana Perumal Temple
  8. Thirukoodalur - Sri Aaduthurai Perumal Temple
  9. Kabisthalam - Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple
  10. Thiruppullamboothangudi - Sri Valvil Ramar Perumal Temple
  11. Thiru Adhanur - Sri Andalakkum Aiyan Perumal Temple
  12. Thirukudanthai - Sri Sarangapani Perumal Temple
  13. Thiru Vinnagar - Sri Oppiliappan Temple
  14. Nachiyar Koil - Tirunarayur Nambi Perumal Temple
  15. Thirucherai - Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple
  16. Thirukannamangai - Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple
  17. Thirukkannapuram - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple
  18. Thirukkannankudi - Sri Loganatha Perumal Temple
  19. Thiru Naagai - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple
  20. Thiru Thanjai Mamani Koil - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple
  21. Thirunandhipura Vinnagaram - Sri Jaganatha Perumal Temple
  22. Tiruvelliyangudi - Sri Kola Valvill Ramar Temple
  23. Therazhendur - Sri Devaadi Raja Perumal Temple
  24. Tiru Sirupuliyur - Sri Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple
  25. Tiru Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam - Sri Naan Madhiya Perumal Temple
  26. Thiru Indhaloor - Sri Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple
  27. Thirukkavalampadi - Sri Gopala Krishna Perumal Temple
  28. Thirukkazhiseerama Vinnagaram (Seerkazhi) - Sri Thrivikrama Perumal Temple
  29. Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram - Sri Kuda Maadu Koothan Perumal Temple, Thirunangur divya desam
  30. Thiruvan Purushothaman Perumal Temple, Thirunangur divya desam
  31. Thiru Sempon Sei Kovil - Sri Perarulaalan Perumal Temple
  32. Thiru Manimaada Kovil - Sri Narayana Perumal Temple
  33. Thiru Vaikunda Vinnagaram temple - Sri Vaigundha Nathan Perumal Temple
  34. Thiruvaali Thirunagari - Sri Lakshmi Narashima Perumal Temple
  35. Thiruthevanartthogai - Sri Deiva Naayaga Perumal Temple
  36. Thiru Thetri Aambalam - Sri Seganmaal Ranganatha Perumal Temple
  37. Thirumanikkoodam - Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
  38. Thiruvellakkulam (Annankoil) - Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
  39. Thiruppaarththanpalli - Sri Thamaraiyal Kelvan Perumal Temple
  40. Thiruchitrakoodam - Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple

Pandiya Nadu Divya desams

In Pandiya Naadu, there are 18 Divyadesams in all these Divyadesams, the Perumal is found facing his thirumugham towards the east direction.

In this 18 Divyadesams, 9 Divyadesams namely

  • Thirukkurugoor,
  • Thirukkoloor,
  • Thirupperai,
  • Thiruvaikundam,
  • Thiruvaragunamangai,
  • Thirukkulandai,
  • Thiruppulingudi,
  • Thirutholaivillimangalam and
  • Thiruccheerivaramangai

are collectively called "Nava Tirupathi". The specialty of this Pandiya Nattu thiruppathigal is that in all these Nava Thirupathi Divyadesams, there are two thaayars found.

Nava Tirupathi - DivyaDesams and Thayar Details

 

Other than these Navathirupathis, the thaayars are found as follows

 

Temples list

  1. Arulmighu Azhagia Nambi Thirukovil - Thirukkurungudi Divya Desam
  2. Thiruccherivaramangai Sri Thothadri Nathan temple - Vanamamalai Perumal - Nanguneri Divya Desam
  3. Thiruvaikundam (Sri Vaikundam) - Sri Vaikundanatha Perumal Temple
  4. Thiruvaragunamangai - Sri Vijayaasana Perumal Divya desam
  5. Thiruppulingudu - Sri Kaaichina Vendha Perumal Temple
  6. Thiruttholai Villimangalam - Sri Aravindha Lochana Perumal Temple
  7. Thirukkulanthai - Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Perungulam
  8. Thirukkoloor - Sri Vaitha Maanitha Perumal Temple
  9. Thirupperai - Sri Magara NedungKuzhai Kaathar Perumal Temple
  10. Thirukkurugoor (Azhwar Thirunagari) - Sri Aadhinatha Swamy Temple
  11. Thiruvilliputhoor (Sri Villiputhoor) - Sri Vadabhatra Saayi Perumal Temple
  12. Thiruthankaal - Sri Nindra Narayana Perumal Temple
  13. Thirukkoodal - Sri Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple
  14. Thirumaalirunsolai - Sri Kallazhagar Perumal Temple
  15. Thiru Moghur - Sri Kaalamegha Perumal Temple
  16. Thirukkotiyoor - Sri Uraga Mellanayaan Perumal Temple
  17. Thiruppullanni - Sri Kalyana Jagannatha Perumal Temple
  18. Thirumeyyam - Sri Sathyagiri Natha Perumal Temple

Malayala Naadu temples / Malai Nadu Divya Desams

All the Malayala naatu sthalams explains about the Aathma Paramathma relationships with the perumal and bhaktaas, the relation with Mahabharat and Ramayan and the perumal who are found in this Malayala Nadu are said to be the Avathaars of Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and Sri Parasurama.

There are 13 Kerala Divya desams found. Among which, the Emperumaan is found

  • in Nindra thirukkolam in 10 divyadesams,
  • in Kidantha kolam in 2 divyadesams and
  • Irundha kolam in one divya desam.

The perumal is facing his thirumugham along East direction in 8 divyadesam along west direction is 3 divyadesams and in 2 divyadesams, he is facing his thirumugham towards south direction.

In two divyadesams, (Thiruvananthapuram and Thiruvaattaaru), where the Perumal gives his seva in 3 different vaasals (entrance) explains the birth, the leading of life, and the final state, the death of human.

The Panja Pandavas, Dharmar (Thirucchenkundroor), Arjunar (Thiruvaaran Vilai), Nakulan (Thiruvanvandoor), Bhiman (Thirupuliyoor) and Sahadevan (Thirukkadithaanam) have worked for these 5 divya desams and done lots of help in making these divya desams to grow.

In Thiruvanparisaaram, the thaayar is named as "Kamalavalli Naachiyaar", in Thirucchenkundroor, the thaayar is Sengalamala valli Naachiyaar, in Thiruvithuvakodu, the thaayar is Padmapani Naachiyaar in Thiruvaaranvilai she is named as Padmasani Naachiyaar, in Thirupuliyoor, the thaayar is porkodi Naachiyaar and in Thirunaavay the thaayar is Malar Mangai Naachiyaar and in all these 6 divyadesam, the thaayar has the name of flower as her name.

108 Divya Desam - Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trivandrum

Temples list

  1. Thiruvananthapuram - Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple
  2. Thiruvanparisaaram - Sri Kuralappa Perumal Temple
  3. Thirukkaatkarai - Sri Kaatkarai Appa Perumal Temple
  4. Thirumoozhikkalam - Sri Moozhikkalathaan Perumal Temple
  5. Thirupuliyoor - Sri Maayapiran Perumal Temple
  6. Thirucchenkundroor - Sri Imayavarappa Perumal Temple
  7. Thiru Naavaay - Sri Naavaay Mugundha Perumal Temple
  8. Thiruvalvaazh - Sri Kolapira Perumal Temple
  9. Thiruvanvandoor - Sri Paambanaiyappa Perumal Temple
  10. Thiru Vattaaru - Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple
  11. Thiruvithuvakkodu - Sri Uyyavantha Perumal Temple
  12. Thirukkadithaanam - Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal Temple
  13. Thiruvaaran Vilai - Sri Kuralappa Perumal Temple

Vada Nadu Divya desams

Thirupathigal is said to be found in the Northern part of our country (a little bit above Tamil Nadu, all the Divyadesams are termed to be Vada Nattu Thirupathigal).

There are 11 Divyadesams found in Vada Nadu. Among these 11 Divyadesams, the perumal is giving his seva facing his thirumugham along 8 divyadesam, and towards Nord direction, he is found in 2 divyadesam.

He is also found in 3 different thirukkolams among these 11 Divyadesams.

  • Kidantha Thirukkolam - 1 Divyadesam.
  • Nindra Thirukkolam - 7 Divyadesams.
  • Irundha Thriukkolam - 3 Divyadesams.

Out of 11 Divyadesams, in 9 divyadesams, the perumal is found as "Ekapathini Samethar seva" (with only one wife), and in Thiruaayarpadi he is found along with Rukmami and Sathyabama, and in Thirudwaraka, he is found along with more than two pirattis.

Some of the Vada Nattu divyadesa sthalams and the Perumals were destroyed by some of the Mughal Emperors, but they are reconstructed and the worship is still being done now.

108 Divya Desam - Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple

Andhra Temples

  1. Tirupathi - Tirumalai - Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (This website was created to provide information about Tirumala, Tirupati Temple) 
  2. Thiru Singavel Kundram (Ahobilam) - Sri Nava Narasimhar Temple

Uttar Pradesh Temples

  1. Thiru Ayodhi - Sri Ramar Temple
  2. Thiru Naimisaranyam - Sri Devaraja Perumal Temple

Nepal Temple

Thiru Salagramam - Sri Moorthy Perumal Temple

Other Divyadesams

  1. Thiruvadhari Ashramam (Badrinath) - Sri Badri Narayana Perumal Temple
  2. Thirukkandam - Kadi Nagar (Devaprayag) - Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple
  3. Thiruppirudhi (Joshimutt) - Sri Paramapurusha Perumal Temple
  4. Thiru Vadamathura (Brindhavanam) - Sri Govardhana Nesa Perumal Temple
  5. Thiruvaaipadi (Aayarpadi) - Sri Navamohana Krishna Perumal Temple
  6. Thiru Dwaraka (Dwaraka) - Sri Kalyana Narayana Perumal Temple

Vinnulaga Thiruppathigal (Outside the Earthly realm)

Vinnulaga Thriuppathigal is said to be divyadesams where we can't go through our human body, only our soul (Aathma can go into it).

There are two Vinnulaga divya desams - 1. Thiruppaarkadal and 2. Paramapadham. The Jeevathmas that are released (the soul) from our human body attains Mukthi and it is said to reach the Paramathma.

In these two divyadesams, Sriman Narayanan is found in Sayana (Kidantha) thirukkolam in Thiruppaarkadal and in Paramapadham, He is found in Veetrirundha thirukkolam.

  • In Thiruppaarkadal, He is found facing his thirumugham in the South direction, which is said to be the direction where Dharmarajan is found.
  • In Paramapadham also, He is found facing His thirumugham in the South direction.