108 Divya Desam
8th
KoilAdi

This temple is just a step from Srirangam and hence the name Koil + Adi = Koiladi.The Moolavar here is Appakuduthan and the Thayar is Indiradevi / Kamalavalli.Once King Uparisarvasu was feeding Brahmins in this place.When Brahmins had gone to take bath.Emperumal appeared as an old man and asked the King to feed him.Uparisarvasu asked the old man to wait but the old man was adamant.When the king fed the old man ,the old man ate the food of all 1000 Brahmins and demanded more food.The King prepared some "Appams" and placed them before the old man.Perumal pleased with this transformed himself and blessed the king.The perumal is offered Appam as Prasadam at the time of Aravanai.Once there was a dispute between Goddess Lakshmi and Bhoodevi as to who was bigger,due to the kalangam of Narada.Perumal placed both of them in balance ( Tharasu) .The Pan holding Bhoodevi went down .Feeling insulted Goddess Lakshmi came here to pray.The perumal came and convinced her that he wears her in his chest and that she was superior.

Courtesy : Lifco Publication's and Google

Directions :
Divya Desam Sri Appakudathan Temple, Koviladi (Pancharanga Kshetram)

Budalur taluk, Tanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613105
099524 68956 https://g.co/kgs/qiQ5EZ

108 Divya Desam
#7th
Pullam Boothamkudi

This place is located near swamimalai.The Moolavar here is Valvill Raman and the Thayar here is  Pottramariyal or Hemambujavalli.Jatayu son of Suryan died here fighting Ravana.Rama performed the last rites here.Since he did not have Sita Devi with him Bhoomi Devi appeared as Pottramariyal and helped him perform the last rites Perumal is seen with Brahma in his lotus ,Bhoomidevi, Anjaneyar and Jatayu in sanidhi.When perumal was lying down after performing last rites of Jatayu, Thirumangai azhawar went by.He saw some person sleeping by and did not stop.Suddenly a large light appeared and went Thirumangai azhawar turned back he found Lord ramar with four hands holding sangu and chakra.The original Moolavar here is made of Soodhai.The soodhai murthy is buried under Yoga Narasimhar which makes the Narasimhar more powerful.

Directions :
Divya Desam Arulmigu Thiruppullamboothangudi Valvill Ramar Temple

Pullaboothangudi, Tamil Nadu 612301
094435 25365 https://g.co/kgs/HJ4oVZ

Nearest Town : Swamimalai , Kumbakonam

COURTESY : LIFCO and Google

108 DIVYA DESAM
6TH
THIRUVELLARAI
The Moolavar here is Pundarekakshan and the Thayar is Pangayacchelvi / Shenbagavalli.Thayar has the first right in all Utsavams as in Nachiyar Koil.She has all the properties in her name.She wears a saligrama Malai which is unusual.A village near Samayapuram is named pankajaselvi after the Thayar.One of the entrance here is called " Nazhi Ketta Vasal ".Once when perumal came back to the temple late.Thayar asked for a justification for his lateral entry and then let him in hence the name.It is said that Sibi Chakravarthi made 3700 vaishnava families to settle here.On the way one of the Brahmin died.He was saddened by the Brahmanas death.The perumal appeared before him and said he would be on of his brahmins.Sriman Narayanan is giving dharshan to all living and non living things as Sooriya Narayanan. By extending his rays, he is giving security to the entire world.Sooriya Narayanan, is the person who is making the plants grow, making to rain, Calulating the Jeevathmas paapans (sin) and punniyams (good things).He is revolving round the Earth to make good things happen and to destroy the bad things (or) evils.Based on the revolving time of the sun, the good time is calculated. And based on that only, all other Subha Muhurthams (Good days based upon Calculations) are done. The sun is revolving round the Earth is at the same time, its revolving himself. Lord Emperumaan, who turns himself has Suriya Bhaghvan, revolves round the universe and he flashes his rays to make all things live. From his rays, nothing can escape.There is a small explanation that has to be said for the two Vaasals. In the human life, there are two separate entrances, (i.e) entering to the life and getting out of it is the other.In both these Vaasals when entering in to the life and when getting out of it, he could be able to feel the presence of Paramaathma. To make to understand this, he resembles himself as "Suriya Narayanan" at the state of Utharayanam and as "Govindan" at the end of Dhakshinayanan at the end of Maargazhi.

The Dhakshinayana Vaasal is the Vaasal or entrance which leads us to the death and it is the place of the stay of Lord yeman, the king of Naragam.The Uthirayana Vaasal, which is the Vaasal which way that all the Jeevathmas enter in to world as an humanbeing (or) a non living being, is the place of "Lord Guberan", who is the God of wealth.Even if a person who is well enough in money and his good activity will only lead him towards the Emperumaan. And if a person is very poor and if he is a good hearted and do proper kramas, will lead him to attain the Swargam, the Heaven.

To explain this only, there are two vaasals in this Pundarikaksha Sthalam.

Courtesy : Lifco and Google.

Directions :

Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai

Sannathi steert, Agrahara, Thiruvellarai, Tamil Nadu 621009

090927 62000 https://g.co/kgs/D7r3yM

Local transportation available from Srirangam and Trichy to reach this temple

108 Divya Desam
5th
Uthamar Koil
The Moolavar here is Purushothaman and the Thayar here is Poorvadevi or Poornavalli Thayar.Lord Shiva could not get over the Brahmahathi Dosha.He reached this Kshethram and prayed to Lakshmi to feed him.Thayar, the very compassion herself , gave alms to Shiva.Shiva took the alms in the Kapala Of Brahma.Till then no matter how much ever much of alms he had taken the Kapala was never full.But then from the alms given by Thayar Lakshmi,the Kapalam overflowed.Shiva realised his salvation was nearby and requested Lakshmi Devi to point out to the place where he can achieve salvation.Lord Shiva then went to Thirukandiyur as directed by Lakshmidevi.
        Janaka performed yagna on the banks of Kadamba Pushkarani.The havis was eaten by a dog.To overcome this, Janaka did penance and worshipped the Kadamba tree.Perumal appeared before him from his Naval nabi and with Shiva.Since he saw thirumurthys here he hence built this temple.The Thayar appears here in nindra thirukolam.This is one such temple where you can see Lord Brahma , Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with their consorts.Its very auspicious to arranger marriages here and this temple has no doors.People could worship 24hrs in a day.


Courtesy :
Lifco Publications and Google

Directions : 

Arulmigu Uthamar Kovil

Trichy-Salem Main Road Manachanallur, Taluk, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 621216

0431 259 1466 https://g.co/kgs/g5RN9t

It is very near to Srirangam Railway station.If you want to cover other Divya desams as well it's advisable to stay in trichy and hire a cab

108 Divya Desam
4th
Thiru Anbil

The Moolavar here is Thiruvadivazhagia Nambi and the Moolavar thayar is Azhagiavalli thayar.Shiva and Brahma both had 5 heads.Parvathi offered padha Pooja to Brahma by mistake.Shiva was envious of Brahma and pluck one of his head this head stuck to Shiva's head.Shiva got affected by Brahmahathi Dosham.To get rid of this Dosha Lord Shiva prayed Perumal on his way to Thiru Kandiyur via Uthamar kovil.
Mandooga Maharishi :
It seems a  Muni here used to perform tapas under water to attain strength and power.Once the great sage Dhurvasa visited this place wanting to see the Muni.The Muni was doing his tapas under water.Dhurvasa got angry and cursed him to become a frog.Hence this place is also called mandukapuri
.Perumal appeared in this place by the request of Lord Brahma and Valmiki.Perumal here is very beautiful as the name suggests.With Boomidevi and Sridevi Thayar sitting in either side of his thiruvadi blocking the view of perumal's thiruvadi.There is no padhasevai here.This place is located in Mel Anbil and Andal is seen here in sitting position.
Anbil is regarded as a Divya Desam by both Vaishnavites and Saivites. The Western Part of Anbil refered as Mel Anbil is worshipped Vishnu Sthalam where as Eastern Part Keezh Anbil is being worshipped as Siva Sthalam.

Courtesy :
Lifco Publications and Google

Directions :

DIVYA DESAM Arulmigu Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple

Anbil, Tamil Nadu 621702 https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-unknown&output=search&q=DIVYA+DESAM+Arulmigu+Vadivazhagiya+Nambi+Perumal+Temple&ludocid=221741262844281439&ibp=gwp;0,7&kgs=0968dd13389204ff&shndl=-1&source=sh/x/kp/local&entrypoint=sh/x/kp/local

How to reach:

From Chennai we can get 12653 ( rock fort SF  express ) and get down at Lalgudi. ( LLI ).However if you have plans to cover other temples as well it's better to stay in trichy and hire cab or use local transportation.

108 Divya Desam
#3rd ( I )
#Thirutanjai
The Moolavar is Neelamega perumal and the thayar is sengamalavalli.Three Asuras  named Tanjan, Gajamulhan and Tandakan performed tapas towards Shiva and obtained boons that they would be invincible by Devas and Humans and that they would not be killed by Lord Shiva.They then invaded indralokha and tortured Devas.This is the time where parasara Muni had his Hermitage.The entire country was in severe drought.However, the muni's ashram had enough water and the place was lush green always.The rakshasas lead by the 3 brothers came to this ashram to drink water and to give Muni trouble.Parasara Muni then prayed to perumal who sent his chakra to destroy the assuras.All the Asura's were killed except Tanjan, Gajamulhan and Tandakan .Perumal cut Tanjan's head .Narasimha killed Gajamukhan and Tandakhan tried to hide in earth.Perumal the took the form of Varaha and killed him as well.The Asuras sought refuge to Perumal and Perumal gave them salvation.This town is called tanjai in the memory of that assuran Tanjan.Sri Nainar Acharya son of swami desikan ordained here during the Anadhyana periods, when Divya prabandham was not recited.Desika prabhandams should be recited in all temples.Here the perumal is made of Sodai ( Lime ) and hence no Thirumanjanam.Thirumanjamam is only for Utsavar.Moolvar had Thailakappu only.The perumal looks magestic having senkol in his hands..

Courtesy : Lifco Publication's and Google

Thanjai Mamani Koji: The Moolavar is Sri Neela Megha Perumal in a sitting posture facing east and the Thaayar is Sri Sengamalvalli.

Manikundram: The Moolavar is Sri Manikimdra Perumal in a sitting posture and the Thaayar is Sri Ambuja Valli.

Thanjaiyali Nagar: The Moolavar is Sri Narasimhan in a sitting posture facing east and the Thaayar is Thanjai Nayaki.



3.A

Thanjapureswarar Temple

Rajakrisnapuram, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613001 https://g.co/kgs/m7njAD

3.B
DD20c Thanjai Manikundra Perumal Koil

Sathya Krishna Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613002 https://g.co/kgs/9YGY5Q

3.C

Divya Desam Sri Neelamega Perumal Temple

Old Thiruvaiyaru Rd, Velur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613002 https://g.co/kgs/ctn5f4

#108 Divya Desam
#2nd
#Thirukozhi
#Cholanadu Divya Desam
Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple also referred as Thirukozhi or Nachiyar kovil.The Moolavar is Azhagiya Manavalan and Thayar is Kamalavalli.The Temple is located in Uraiyur.The name "Kozhi"because a hen fought with an elephant from chola's kingdom which entered this place and had to retreat.When Brighu Maharishi went to Vaikuntam and wanted to be alone with Vishnu.Lakshmi told him that she wanted to be alone with Perumal as well.Maharishi got angry and cursed Lakshmi to be born as a human being.When Chola King Dharma Verman when  hunting found the girl in a lotus leaf and named her kamalavalli.Kamalavalli as she grew fell in love with the utchavar in Srirangam and performed penance to attain him.On her swayamwaram day, pleased with the penance the perumal came from Srirangam as a prince and courted her.When Kamalavali wanted to marry him King Dharma Verman wanted to know more about the future of the groom.The Lord revealed himself as " Azhagiya Manavalan " and married thayar kamalavalli on the day prior to Panguni Utram.At the time of wedding , king requested the groom to stay with him at Uraiyur..The perumal agreed and remained there as Azhagiya Manavalan.

Courtesy : Lifco Publication's

Directions :

Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple

SH 141, Eraiyur, Tamil Nadu 606111

094429 83538 https://g.co/kgs/s5PTVr

Nearest City : Trichy

#108 Divya Desam
#1st
Srirangam comes under the " Chozha Naadu " Divya Desam. It's also called the Boologa Vaikuntam, Periya Kovil, Thiruvaranga Tirupathi.Ranganathar is the Moolavar.Ranganayaki ,Sridevi and Boodevi is the Moolavar Thayar's
.Lord Brahma obtained the idol of Ranganathar from Lord Vishnu and has this idol of the perumal in Sayanam post in his Adobe in Satyaloka.He then gave the idol to King Ishavaku of Ishavaku dynasty.All the Ishavaku Kings worshipped the idol.When Rama was crowned the king of Ayodhya,gave this idol to Vibhishana( Ravana's Brother ) as a token of his affection.Vibhishana carried  the idol back to Srilanka.When he reached Srirangam the perumal got attracted by the beauty of Srirangam and decided to stay there.Thus,He made Vibhishana very thirsty.Vibhishana put the idol down and went to have some water in the holy cauvery.When he came back he could not lift the idol from the spot.Perumal then promised that he would be looking at Sri Lanka and thus the perumal is seen with his head to the west , feet to the east and face to the South.It seems Vibhishana comes once every 12years to visit Ranganathar.

Courtesy : 108 Divya Desam, Lifco and Google

Directions : 

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam

Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620006

0431 243 2246 https://g.co/kgs/5wrdSA

Transport : Nearest city is Trichy.This place is accessible by Rail as well. Town buses are also available to reach this place.

Rail Code : SRGM