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Sri Oppiliappan Perumal Temple

Oppiliappan Temple, also known as Thiruvinnagar, is a renowned Vishnu shrine located in Thirunageswaram village, near Kumbakonam town in Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams. he main deity, Lord Uppiliappan, is worshipped alongside his consort, Goddess Bhoomi Devi. This ancient temple is celebrated as a Divya Desam, a particularly holy abode of Vishnu, revered in the hymns of the Azhwar saints in their Divyaprabandham.

Timings

The temple is open from 5:00 AM till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm till 9:00 pm.

Entry Fee

Free of cost

Origin :-


Uppiliappan Temple, also known as Thiruvinnagar or Venkatachalapathy Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and located near Thirunageswaram, on the outskirts of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. Built in the Dravidian style, this temple is revered in the Divya Prabandha, the early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD, and is the 60th of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The main deity is Lord Uppiliappan, with his consort Bhumi Devi. The temple, dating back to the late 8th century AD, was initiated by the Medieval Cholas and later enhanced by the Thanjavur Nayaks. It features a five-tiered rajagopuram, a granite wall, and two Chola-period inscriptions, encompassing all associated shrines and water bodies.


Puranic Significance :-


  1. Tulasi's Prayer to God :


Once, Tulasidevi, who was born alongside nectar (amrita) during the churning of the milky ocean, prayed to Lord Narayana, requesting that she be adorned by Him on His chest, just like Mahalakshmi.


  1. Lord's Boon to Tulasi :


The Lord informed Tulasi that Lakshmi had performed severe penance to gain a place on His chest. He revealed that Lakshmi would reappear as Bhoomidevi at a holy site near Kumbakonam, south of the Kaveri River, and would be raised by sage Markandeya as his daughter. Tulasi was instructed to go there first and take the form of a beautiful Tulasi plant at the sage's hermitage. Lakshmi would then manifest under the Tulasi plant as Bhoomidevi. Later, Lord Narayana would come to marry Bhoomidevi, and they would reside there forever. This event would reveal Tulasi's glory to all. The Lord added that those who worship Him with Tulasi petals would attain prosperity and the merit of performing the 'Asvamedha yaga.' All who reside in this holy place would attain Sri Vaikunta at the end of their lives. Consequently, Tulasi lived in this sacred place, which became known as Tulasi Vana (Tulasi forest).


  1. Markandeya's Penance :


Sage Mrikandu's son, Markandeya, after visiting many holy places and bathing in sacred waters, eventually arrived at this holy site. Enchanted by the beautiful surroundings, he decided to stay there permanently. Desiring a daughter who would be given in marriage to the Lord Himself, he began performing severe penance to achieve this goal.


  1. Narayana's Instructions to Lakshmi :


Lord Narayana, pleased by Markandeya's penance, decided to bless him. He instructed Lakshmi to appear as a small child in the Tulasi forest, to be raised by sage Markandeya and later married to the Lord. Following His instructions, Lakshmi appeared as a small child in the Tulasi forest and was discovered by sage Markandeya. Overjoyed, he lifted the divine child Lakshmi, fondled her, and inquired about her parentage. The child replied that she did not know who her parents were and that Markandeya was everything to her. Ecstatic, he named her Bhoomidevi, as she was found on the earth.


  1. Markandeya's Concern and Worry :



 Sage Markandeya lovingly raised Bhoomidevi, but as she grew older, he became increasingly worried about finding a suitable bridegroom for her. In his frantic search, Lord Narayana decided to play a trick on the sage. Disguised as an old Brahmin, dressed in torn clothes and carrying a walking stick, He appeared before the sage on the day of Panguni Sravanam at noon.


  1. Markandeya Welcoming the Old Man :


Markandeya, not realising that the incessantly coughing old man was actually Sriman Narayana, welcomed Him with due reverence. He respectfully attended to His needs, washing His feet and providing hospitality. The sage then asked the old man the purpose of His visit. The visitor explained that He was seeking a suitable bride, wishing to marry, settle down, and beget good sons. He then requested Bhoomidevi's hand in marriage to fulfil this objective.


  1. Sage and Old Man - Dialogue :


Markandeya was bewildered by the old man's (Narayana) request to marry Bhoomidevi, who was very young. He explained that the age difference was too great and that she was too young to run a household. The old man insisted, threatening to commit suicide if denied. Despite the sage's attempts to dissuade him, including concerns about Bhoomidevi's inexperience in cooking, the old man remained unyielding. Markandeya silently prayed to Lord Narayana for guidance.


  1. Bhoomidevi's Views :


When asked for her opinion, Bhoomidevi threatened to commit suicide if forced to marry the old man against her wishes. Markandeya, caught between the old man's threats and his daughter's refusal, fervently prayed to the Lord for a solution.


  1. Sage's Vision :


After praying to God for a long time, the sage opened his eyes and saw Lord Narayana in all His splendour and glory, standing in place of the old man. Realising that the Lord had played a practical joke on him, the sage danced and cried in ecstasy. The Lord blessed Sage Markandeya and declared that He would marry Bhoomidevi and would accept only saltless offerings in this temple. He also decreed that anyone who brings salt into the temple would go to hell.


  1. Sage's Prayer for Boons :


Overwhelmed with joy, Markandeya consented to the marriage and prayed for three boons: The Lord should stay in this place forever after marrying Bhoomidevi. The holy place should be named Markandeya Kshetra. Saltless offerings in the temple should be relished by the devotees, and the sage should be granted moksha. The Lord gladly granted these boons, naming the place "Thiruvinnagar" and "Tulasivana Markandeya Kshetra." He also declared that the marriage would take place in the month of Aippasi on the day of Sravanam and agreed to make all the arrangements for the wedding.


  1. Garuda in the Service of the Lord :


The Lord personally wrote the marriage invitations and instructed His vehicle, Garuda, to deliver them to Brahma and all the devas, and to assist in conducting the marriage on Sravanam day in Aippasi.

Brahma and the other devas were overjoyed by the news of the divine wedding and attended with their consorts. The grand wedding of the Lord and Bhoomidevi was conducted according to Vaikhanasa Agamas. Since then, the Lord and Bhoomidevi have resided in the temple, blessing devotees and fulfilling their desires.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to your Ishta Devata (chosen deity) before visiting the temple.
  2. Contact the Temple Devasthanam information centre for details about the temple, pooja options, and other inquiries.
  3. Book your travel and accommodation well in advance.
  4. Clean yourself by bathing and wearing fresh clothes before entering the temple.
  5. Focus on the deities inside the temple.
  6. Maintain silence and quietly recite your Ishta Mantra (personal prayer) while inside the temple.
  7. Follow the temple's customs and traditions.
  8. Respect religious practices and sentiments.
  9. Deposit your offerings in the hundi (donation box) only.
  1. Avoid visiting the temple for reasons other than worship.
  2. Do not smoke on temple grounds.
  3. Do not consume alcohol on temple premises.
  4. Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the temple area.
  5. Avoid using mediators for quicker access to darshan; it may inconvenience others.
  6. Do not carry weapons into the temple.
  7. Remove head coverings like helmets, caps, and hats before entering.
  8. Do not perform Sastanga Pranama (full prostration) inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  9. Do not linger too long during Sparsa Darshanam (touching the deity).
  10. Avoid buying prasadams from street vendors.
  11. Do not encourage beggars at the temple.
  12. Do not spit or create a nuisance in the temple area.

Dress Code

For Men: Shirt and Trouser or Dhoti or Pyjamas with an upper cloth.

For Women: Saree or Half-Saree with a blouse, or Churidar with pyjamas and upper cloth.

Note: These dress code rules apply to all visitors, including foreigners.

Prohibited Attire: Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans, and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

How to reach

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  1. By Air: The closest major airport is in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), about 108 kilometres from Kumbakonam. From the airport you can take a taxi or bus to Kumbakonam, which takes approximately 2 hours.
  2. By Train: Kumbakonam Railway Station is well-connected with major cities in Tamil Nadu. From the Station, the temple is a short drive or auto-rickshaw ride from the railway station.
  3. By Bus: Regular bus services operate from cities like Chennai, Trichy, and Thanjavur to Kumbakonam. From the Bus Stand, the temple can be reached via local transport or auto-rickshaws from the Kumbakonam bus stand.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:

  1. Kaveri River: The Kaveri River flows south of the temple and is a significant river in Tamil Nadu, known for its historical and cultural importance.
  2. Arasalar River: A tributary of the Kaveri, it flows through the Kumbakonam region and is important for local agriculture and rituals.


Cities:

  1. Kumbakonam: The temple is situated on the outskirts of Kumbakonam, a town known for its numerous temples and historical significance.
  2. Thanjavur: Located to the southwest of Kumbakonam, Thanjavur is a major city known for its rich cultural heritage and historic temples.
  3. Tiruvarur: To the southeast of Kumbakonam, Tiruvarur is another historic town with notable temples and cultural landmarks.