“D ivya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is a term used to refer to one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples mentioned in the works of the Alvars. The term Divya means "divine" and Desam indicates "realm" or temple. These temples are considered holy and revered by the 12 Alvars in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. In short, Divya Desam refers to a group of sacred temples associated with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.Divya Desams are 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located across the Indian subcontinent. They are considered to be the holiest of all the Vishnu temples, and are believed to have been visited and praised by the great saints and poets of ancient India. These temples are spread across different states in India, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, among others. Each temple has a unique history and significance, and they are an integral part of Hindu religious and cultural traditions.

Significance of Divya Desams

The Divya Desam temples hold a significant place in the Vaishnava tradition and are considered among the most sacred places for the followers of Vaishnavism. These temples are believed to be the abodes of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The term Divya Desam means "Divine abode" or "Heavenly abode," which signifies the importance and sanctity of these temples.

There are a total of 108 Divya Desams, with 105 located in India, one in Nepal, and the other two believed to be located outside the earth, in Thirupparkadal and Vaikuntham. The majority of these temples are located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with 84 temples located there. The remaining temples are located in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The only Divya Desam in Nepal is Muktinath, Saligramam.

The Divya Desam temples have a significant place in Vaishnavism, as they are associated with the works of the twelve Alvars, who were poet-saints and instrumental in popularizing Vaishnavism during the 5th-8th centuries CE. The religious works of these saints in Tamil, their hymns of love and devotion, are compiled as the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, containing 4000 verses, and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified as divya desams.

The significance of each Divya Desam is associated with the legends and stories of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Each temple has its own unique history and significance, with separate shrines for Maha Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi. The temples are built in a distinct architectural style and have elaborate rituals and ceremonies associated with them.

In texts, the Divya Desam temples are often referred to as Bhooloka Vaikuntam, which means "Heaven on earth." The temples are believed to be the earthly abodes of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, and visiting these temples is considered a significant pilgrimage for Vaishnavites.

The worship of Lord Vishnu in the Divya Desam temples follows either the Tenkalai or Vadakalai modes of worship. The Alvars were deeply devoted to God and had different origins, belonging to different varnas. According to tradition, the first three Alvars, Poigai, Bhuthathalvar, Peyalvar, and Andal, were said to be born "out of divinity." Tirumalisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar were of Brahmin birth, Kulasekhara from the Kshatriya community, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupanalvar from the panar community, and Tirumangai was from the kalvar community.

The songs of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham are sung in several Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu daily and also during festivals. The commentaries on Divya Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records, and inscriptions give a detailed account of the Alvars and their works. According to these texts, the saints are considered to be incarnations of attributes of Vishnu. Poigai is considered to be an incarnation of Panchajanya (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of Kaumodakee (Vishnu's mace), Peyalvar of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshana Chakra (Vishnu's discus), Mathurakavi of Sarnga (Vishnu's bow), Nammalvar of Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander-in-chief), Kulasekhara of Kaustubha (Vishnu's gem), Periyalvar of Garuda (Vishnu's mount), Andal of Bhudevi (Goddess Lakshmi), Tirupanalvar of Neela Devi (Goddess Lakshmi), and Tirumangai of Vishvaksena's staff.

The Divya Desam temples also have a significant place in the history and culture of Tamil Nadu. The architecture of these temples is a unique blend of Dravidian and Vedic styles, and the intricate carvings and sculptures depict scenes from Hindu mythology. The festivals and rituals associated with these temples are a reflection of the rich cultural heritage of the region.

One of the most significant festivals celebrated in the Divya Desam temples is the Brahmotsavam, which lasts for ten days and is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. The festival is believed to commemorate the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and is celebrated with various rituals and ceremonies.

The Divya Desam temples hold immense religious, cultural, and historical significance for the followers of Vaishnavism. These temples are associated with the works of the twelve Alvars, who played a vital role in the spread of Vaishnavism in South India. The temples are believed to be the earthly abodes of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, and visiting these temples is considered a significant pilgrimage for Vaishnavites. The architecture, festivals, and rituals associated with these temples reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region and have a profound impact on the spiritual and cultural life of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Famous Divya Desams

Some of the most famous and popular Divya Desams include the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, and the Sri Rama Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, among others. Each of these temples is known for its unique architecture, intricate carvings, and rich history.

They can be divided into 7 categories:

Thondai Naadu Temples: Thondai Naadu is one of the traditional regions in Tamil Nadu, and it comprises the Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur districts. The Thondai Naadu region has several important Vaishnava temples, including the famous Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam, Sri Parthasarathy Temple in Chennai, and Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram.

Chozha Naadu Temples: Chozha Naadu is another traditional region in Tamil Nadu, and it comprises the districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai. The region is known for its rich cultural heritage, and it is home to several important Vaishnava temples, including the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, and Sri Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli.

Nadu Naadu Temples: Nadu Naadu is a region in Tamil Nadu that includes the districts of Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, and Virudhunagar. The region is known for its rich history and cultural heritage and is home to several important Vaishnava temples, including the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, Sri Koodal Azhagar Temple in Madurai, and Sri Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai.

Pandiya Naadu Temples: Pandiya Naadu is another region in Tamil Nadu that includes the districts of Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Ramanathapuram. The region is known for its rich cultural heritage, and it is home to several important Vaishnava temples, including the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, Sri Koodal Azhagar Temple in Madurai, and Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram.

Malayala Naadu Temples: Malayala Naadu is a region in Kerala that includes the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram. The region is known for its rich cultural heritage, and it is home to several important Vaishnava temples, including the Sri Guruvayurappan Temple in Guruvayur, Sri Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, and Sri Thirunavaya Temple in Malappuram.

Vadu Naadu Temples: Vadu Naadu is a region in Tamil Nadu that includes the districts of Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, and Krishnagiri. The region is known for its rich cultural heritage, and it is home to several important Vaishnava temples, including the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple in Vellore, Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, and Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram.

Vinnulaga Thiruppathigal: The Vinnulaga Thiruppathigal are a group of 18 Vaishnava temples located across Tamil Nadu. These temples are believed to be associated with the celestial abodes of Lord Vishnu and are considered highly sacred by Vaishnavites. Some of the notable temples in this group include the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam, Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram, and Sri Parthasarathy Temple in Chennai.

Importance of visiting Divya Desams

Visiting the 108 Divya Desams is considered to be a sacred and auspicious act in Hinduism. It is believed that by visiting these holy sites, devotees can purify their souls, attain spiritual enlightenment, and seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Many devotees undertake a pilgrimage to visit all the 108 Divya Desams, which is known as the 'Divya Desa Yatra.' This is considered to be one of the most important and fulfilling journeys that a devout Hindu can undertake in their lifetime.

In conclusion, the 108 Divya Desams are an integral part of Hinduism and Vaishnavism, and are considered to be among the holiest places of worship for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Each of these temples has a unique history and significance, and visiting them is believed to confer immense spiritual and material benefits. As such, the 108 Divya Desams continue to hold a special place in the hearts and minds of millions of Hindus across the world.

The Divya Desam temples are among the most sacred places for Vaishnavites, as they are believed to be the earthly abodes of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The idols of Lord Vishnu in these temples can be found in three different positions - Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping Position), Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting Position), and Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Position).

27 Divya Desam temples have the Kidantha Thirukkolam position, where the idol of Lord Vishnu is depicted in a sleeping position. The most famous among these is the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, which is considered the first among the 108 Divya Desams. Other temples with the Kidantha Thirukkolam position include Thiruvallikeni, Thiruneermalai, and Thiruputkuzhi in Tamil Nadu, and Thiruparamkundram and Thiruvellarai in Tamil Nadu.

21 Divya Desam temples have the Veetrirundha Thirukkolam position, where the idol of Lord Vishnu is depicted in a sitting position. The most famous among these is the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. Other temples with the Veetrirundha Thirukkolam position include Thiruvaheendrapuram, Thiruvaimozhi, and Thirukoodaloor in TamilNadu, and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

60 Divya Desam temples have the Nindra Thirukkolam position, where the idol of Lord Vishnu is depicted in a standing position. The most famous among these is the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. Other temples with the Nindra Thirukkolam position include Thirukannangudi, Thirukkurungudi, and Thiruvanparisaram in Tamil Nadu, and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.

The three different positions of Lord Vishnu in the Divya Desam temples represent the different postures or poses of the deity. Each position has its own significance and symbolism, and the temples themselves are intricately designed and decorated according to the specific posture of Lord Vishnu that they represent. Visiting these temples and witnessing the different postures of Lord Vishnu is considered a significant pilgrimage for Vaishnavites, and the temples hold a special place in the hearts of devotees of Lord Vishnu.

The Divya Desam temples hold a significant place in the Vaishnava tradition and are revered as the abodes of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The legends and stories associated with each temple add to their uniqueness and significance. These temples are not just religious sites but also marvels of architecture and art. The worship of Lord Vishnu in the Divya Desam temples is an essential aspect of Vaishnavism, and the hymns of the Alvars, compiled in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, are sung in several Vishnu temples daily. The Divya Desam temples continue to attract devotees from all over the world who seek to experience the divine presence and spiritual awakening.