Divya Desams refer to the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Divya in the Tamil language indicates "premium" and Desam indicates "place" (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms. Most of the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu follow the Thenkalai tradition. This includes the important temples of Srirangam and Triplicane.
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 which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
PRESENT NAME : THIRUVANDHIPURAM
BASE TOWN : CUDDALORE
DISTANCE : 5 KM
MOOLAVAR : DEIVANAYAKAN
THIRUKKOLAM : NINDRA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
UTHSAVAR : DEVANATHAN
THAYAR : HEMAMBUJAVALLI
MANGALASASANAM : 10 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : GARUDAN,CHANDRAN
THEERTHAM : SESHA THEERTHAM
VIMANAM : SUTHASATHVA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Hemabujavalli nayiga sameda Sri Devanayaka parabramane namaha
This Divyadesam is one of the main sthalam in Nadu Naattu Divyadesam. The temple is situated about 5 Kms away from Cuddalore in South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. This temple is located underneath a small mountain (Malai Adivaram). 3 miles away from Tirupathirippuliyoor railway station which is in between Chennai – Trichy railway lane. Bus facility is also available.
Perumal feeling thirsty ordered Garuda to bring Him water. As Garuda delayed to return, Adisesha struck the ground with his tail, made a spring and offered water to Lord. This spring is called Sesha Theertham. This is a prayer well where devotees put jaggery, salt and pepper seeking remedy for the illness they suffer. Those facing serpent effects pray here for remedy.
Another story on this has it that Garuda who went around to bring water for the Lord came across a Rishi in mid air and finding water inside the Rishi’s sacred kettle, knocked it down, thus letting the water into this place. Angered at this act of Garuda, the rishi cursed turning the water into a dirty colour. Realising his folly, Garuda explained the reason for his hasty action and apologised. To this day, one finds the water in the river dirty but once in the hand, it seems pure and clear.
Garuda who came back late (after Adhiseshan had already helped quench the Lord’s thirst) requested the Lord to accept his water too as sacred. The Lord accepted the water on the Chariot Procession day. On this day, water from this river (Kedila) is brought and offered to the Lord.
This is the only Divya Desam where both vehicles of Vishnu brought water for the Lord.
Lords Brahmma, Shiva and Indira, Mother Bhoomadevi, Sages Brugu and Markandeya had performed penance here. Tirumangai Azhwar and Acharya Maha Desikan had sung the glory of Perumal in their hymns. Sri Desika had lived in this place for about 4 decades and wrote many books on Lord. The house he resided here is still praised as Desikan Tirumaligai. He had also dug a well himself. His hymns on Perumal is on the Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava, considering himself as the spouse of Lord Perumal. He also made his own idol. This is a very ancient temple of Perumal.
Due to their pride and arrogance, the Devas of the celestial world were defeated by Asuras-demons and driven away from their place. All of them surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu at this place-Oushadhachalam. Lord promised them help. The Asuras sought the help of Lord Shiva to win again. Lord Shiva too promised His help. Seeing that the Devas beaten and defeated, Lord Vishnu applied His discus-Chakrayudha that chased and killed the demons. All surrendered at Lord’s feet. Lord Vishnu appeared before them as Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva and pleased all. As He was the captain of the Devas, He was named Devanatha. Knowing that Lord Sri Narayana had decided to stay here for ever, Adishesha built a town, which we now call Tiru Ahindi (Adisesha) Puram (place) – Tiruvahindipuram.
Having gained dominating powers thanks to his sincere penance, a demon attacked Indira logam and drove out Indira, who is said to have gone into hiding here. The hassled Devas went up to Vishnu who asked them to perform a Yagam at Vahindapuram. On the completion of the Yaagam, Indira is believed to have come out of his hiding. Vishnu appeared before him and presented the Vajra Yudham with the help of which Indira defeated the demon and re conquered the Indira logam.
11th century inscription at this temple shows that the ThiruVahindrapuram Lord was referred to as the Standing Vishnu. Legend has it that the Lord here is considered as the brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa.
In this Divya Desam, milk is not poured into the snake pit. Instead it is poured into the ‘Sesha Theertham’.
Nigamaantha Desigan is said to have lived here for 40 years and scripted the sampradayam for Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavites. Hence this temple is said to be the ‘Home to Vadakalai Sect’. Special significance is attached to the Desigan Sannidhi at this temple. Desigan who was devoted to this Lord, wrote great pieces of literature on DeivaNaayagan and Hayagriva.
Desigar got a sculpture(Thirumeni) of his done at this temple. A sculptor questioned the Desigar if he could give life to this art form. When the sculptor touched the Thirumeni to get a feel of it, there was a scratch seen on it and to his shock, he found blood flowing down. Realising his mistake, the sculptor is said to have apologized to Sri Desikan.
There is a Hayagriva temple atop the hill opposite the Deiva Naayagan temple. The story goes that two demons had taken away the Vedic scriptures from Brahmma. Vishnu is said to have taken the Hayagriva form and brought back the Vedic scriptures from the demons. Being the place where Lord Vishnu, in Hayagriva form, brought back the educative scriptures, he is referred to as the God of Learning. He is said to fulfill one’s prayers relating to education and studies at this temple.
It is the staunch faith of the devotees that those praying at the feet of Lord Deanatha Perumal are blessed with economic stability, children, health and longevity. Devotees place jaggery, salt and pepper in the well of the temple seeking remedy for their illness of any severity. Those afflicted with adverse aspects of serpent planets Rahu and Ketu, pray for reversal of bad effects.
Devotees offer Tulsi garlands and light ghee lamps and Maa Vilakkua little lamp made of a paste of rice flour and ghee. The also tonsure here. They also perform Tirumanjanam, abishek and offer pure white garments to Lord. They also arrange nivedhana to Lord and distribute the Prasad to other visitors. Some organize feeding-Annadhana also.
The vimana above the presiding deity is of Suddha Satwa philosophy based. 6 pujas a day is performed in the temple according to Vaishnava rules. Those unable to fulfil their prayer commitment at Tirupathi can do it here.
10 day Chithirai Devanatha Perumal Brahhmotsavam, Garuda Seva on the 5th day and Theerthavari on the 9th day when devotee crowd will exceed a lakh; Vaikasi Visakam, Nammazhwar Sathumurai 10 days and Perumal Vasanth Utsav 10 days in May-June; Narasimha Jayanthi; Aadi new moon day-Amavasya and Aadi Pooram in July-August; Aavani Pavithra Utsav in August-September; Sri Krishna Jayanthi; Purattasi Maha Desikan Utsav in September-October; Deepavali in October-November with festival for the first three Azhwars, Tirukarthikai in November-December; Hanumath Jayanthi and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Andal wedding festival; Bogi and Makar Sankranti in January-February and Panguni Sri Rama Navai in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Thiruvaheendrapuram – 607 401,
Cuddalore District.
Tamil Nadu.
Contact : 04142- 288999 or 287 277/ 94434 44778
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 which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
Divya Desam 63 - Sri Devanatha Perumal Temple:
PLACE : THIRUVAHEENDRAPURAMPRESENT NAME : THIRUVANDHIPURAM
BASE TOWN : CUDDALORE
DISTANCE : 5 KM
MOOLAVAR : DEIVANAYAKAN
THIRUKKOLAM : NINDRA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : EAST
UTHSAVAR : DEVANATHAN
THAYAR : HEMAMBUJAVALLI
MANGALASASANAM : 10 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : GARUDAN,CHANDRAN
THEERTHAM : SESHA THEERTHAM
VIMANAM : SUTHASATHVA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Hemabujavalli nayiga sameda Sri Devanayaka parabramane namaha
This Divyadesam is one of the main sthalam in Nadu Naattu Divyadesam. The temple is situated about 5 Kms away from Cuddalore in South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. This temple is located underneath a small mountain (Malai Adivaram). 3 miles away from Tirupathirippuliyoor railway station which is in between Chennai – Trichy railway lane. Bus facility is also available.
History & Legend
Tiruvahindipuram was planned and developed by Adisesha. Lord Brahmma had performed penance here, hence the name Brammachalam for the place. The river brought by Garuda flows nearby in his name as Garuda Nadhi-river offering the same benefit to the devotee as in the Holy Ganga. The water of the river is red as blood during the monsoon due to a curse of a Rishi, it is said. Lord Narasimha in this temple has Mother Mahalakshmi on His right lap against the tradition on the left lap. The hill place also bears the name Oushadhachalam as a piece of the Sanjeevi mount fell here when Hanuaman was carrying the same to Lanka. The hill has many herbals with high medical value. Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva temple is here, the first ever temple raised for the Lord. Vaishnavite Acharya Vedanta Desikan had performed penance here, had the darshan of Lord Hayagriva and Garuda. They granted him boons too.Perumal feeling thirsty ordered Garuda to bring Him water. As Garuda delayed to return, Adisesha struck the ground with his tail, made a spring and offered water to Lord. This spring is called Sesha Theertham. This is a prayer well where devotees put jaggery, salt and pepper seeking remedy for the illness they suffer. Those facing serpent effects pray here for remedy.
Another story on this has it that Garuda who went around to bring water for the Lord came across a Rishi in mid air and finding water inside the Rishi’s sacred kettle, knocked it down, thus letting the water into this place. Angered at this act of Garuda, the rishi cursed turning the water into a dirty colour. Realising his folly, Garuda explained the reason for his hasty action and apologised. To this day, one finds the water in the river dirty but once in the hand, it seems pure and clear.
Garuda who came back late (after Adhiseshan had already helped quench the Lord’s thirst) requested the Lord to accept his water too as sacred. The Lord accepted the water on the Chariot Procession day. On this day, water from this river (Kedila) is brought and offered to the Lord.
This is the only Divya Desam where both vehicles of Vishnu brought water for the Lord.
Lords Brahmma, Shiva and Indira, Mother Bhoomadevi, Sages Brugu and Markandeya had performed penance here. Tirumangai Azhwar and Acharya Maha Desikan had sung the glory of Perumal in their hymns. Sri Desika had lived in this place for about 4 decades and wrote many books on Lord. The house he resided here is still praised as Desikan Tirumaligai. He had also dug a well himself. His hymns on Perumal is on the Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava, considering himself as the spouse of Lord Perumal. He also made his own idol. This is a very ancient temple of Perumal.
Due to their pride and arrogance, the Devas of the celestial world were defeated by Asuras-demons and driven away from their place. All of them surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu at this place-Oushadhachalam. Lord promised them help. The Asuras sought the help of Lord Shiva to win again. Lord Shiva too promised His help. Seeing that the Devas beaten and defeated, Lord Vishnu applied His discus-Chakrayudha that chased and killed the demons. All surrendered at Lord’s feet. Lord Vishnu appeared before them as Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva and pleased all. As He was the captain of the Devas, He was named Devanatha. Knowing that Lord Sri Narayana had decided to stay here for ever, Adishesha built a town, which we now call Tiru Ahindi (Adisesha) Puram (place) – Tiruvahindipuram.
Having gained dominating powers thanks to his sincere penance, a demon attacked Indira logam and drove out Indira, who is said to have gone into hiding here. The hassled Devas went up to Vishnu who asked them to perform a Yagam at Vahindapuram. On the completion of the Yaagam, Indira is believed to have come out of his hiding. Vishnu appeared before him and presented the Vajra Yudham with the help of which Indira defeated the demon and re conquered the Indira logam.
11th century inscription at this temple shows that the ThiruVahindrapuram Lord was referred to as the Standing Vishnu. Legend has it that the Lord here is considered as the brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa.
In this Divya Desam, milk is not poured into the snake pit. Instead it is poured into the ‘Sesha Theertham’.
Nigamaantha Desigan is said to have lived here for 40 years and scripted the sampradayam for Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavites. Hence this temple is said to be the ‘Home to Vadakalai Sect’. Special significance is attached to the Desigan Sannidhi at this temple. Desigan who was devoted to this Lord, wrote great pieces of literature on DeivaNaayagan and Hayagriva.
Desigar got a sculpture(Thirumeni) of his done at this temple. A sculptor questioned the Desigar if he could give life to this art form. When the sculptor touched the Thirumeni to get a feel of it, there was a scratch seen on it and to his shock, he found blood flowing down. Realising his mistake, the sculptor is said to have apologized to Sri Desikan.
There is a Hayagriva temple atop the hill opposite the Deiva Naayagan temple. The story goes that two demons had taken away the Vedic scriptures from Brahmma. Vishnu is said to have taken the Hayagriva form and brought back the Vedic scriptures from the demons. Being the place where Lord Vishnu, in Hayagriva form, brought back the educative scriptures, he is referred to as the God of Learning. He is said to fulfill one’s prayers relating to education and studies at this temple.
It is the staunch faith of the devotees that those praying at the feet of Lord Deanatha Perumal are blessed with economic stability, children, health and longevity. Devotees place jaggery, salt and pepper in the well of the temple seeking remedy for their illness of any severity. Those afflicted with adverse aspects of serpent planets Rahu and Ketu, pray for reversal of bad effects.
Devotees offer Tulsi garlands and light ghee lamps and Maa Vilakkua little lamp made of a paste of rice flour and ghee. The also tonsure here. They also perform Tirumanjanam, abishek and offer pure white garments to Lord. They also arrange nivedhana to Lord and distribute the Prasad to other visitors. Some organize feeding-Annadhana also.
The vimana above the presiding deity is of Suddha Satwa philosophy based. 6 pujas a day is performed in the temple according to Vaishnava rules. Those unable to fulfil their prayer commitment at Tirupathi can do it here.
10 day Chithirai Devanatha Perumal Brahhmotsavam, Garuda Seva on the 5th day and Theerthavari on the 9th day when devotee crowd will exceed a lakh; Vaikasi Visakam, Nammazhwar Sathumurai 10 days and Perumal Vasanth Utsav 10 days in May-June; Narasimha Jayanthi; Aadi new moon day-Amavasya and Aadi Pooram in July-August; Aavani Pavithra Utsav in August-September; Sri Krishna Jayanthi; Purattasi Maha Desikan Utsav in September-October; Deepavali in October-November with festival for the first three Azhwars, Tirukarthikai in November-December; Hanumath Jayanthi and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Andal wedding festival; Bogi and Makar Sankranti in January-February and Panguni Sri Rama Navai in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m and from 04:30 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.Location:
Tiruvahindipuram is on the Cuddalore-Panruti route. Town bus facility is available from Cuddalore to the place.Temple Address & Contact Details:
Arulmigu Devanatha Perumal Thirukkoil,Thiruvaheendrapuram – 607 401,
Cuddalore District.
Tamil Nadu.
Contact : 04142- 288999 or 287 277/ 94434 44778
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