108 Divya Kshetra Darshan - Introduction

Pilgrimage is considered very important by the followers of Sanaathana Dharma. And if you are a follower of Vaishnava sect, It is the foremost duty of every Hindu to visit the Divya Kshetras. All these holy temples have some mythological significance attached to them. The temples where the Azhwars have sung the Mangalasaasanam are called Divya desams. There are 108 Divya desams. 105 are located in Bharata Desa and 1 in Nepal. The remaining 2 are Sheerabdhi and Vaikuntam, which are not in this Bhoomi. It is not possible to visit all the 106 Divya Desams in one stretch. Hence these Desams are divided in to various segments.

The best way to visit all these temples in a short time is to go by car or form a group and go by van/bus. We have started this in the year 2011 and keep updating. 

All the photographs in this series of blogs have been taken by me, except a few of the Deities which have been taken from various websites. 

The last update is in 2022 with a total of 42 Divya Desam. 

The first stop will be Srirangam which is very close to Trichi.Starting from Chennai, Trichi is about 325 kms.

The beautiful scenery on the way and Highway Motel at Maduranthakam.

108 Divya desam-Srirangam

Srirangam
Srirangam is the first among the 108 Divya Kshetrams. It has a main shrine for Lord Shri Ranganatha in a Kidandha Thirukkolam on Adhisesha. Thayar Ranganayaki is in the fourth prakaram. There are also shrines for Rama, Krishna, Nachiar, Chakratalvar, Garuda, Hanuman and Andal. There is also the Dasavathara temple. The vimanam here is Pranavaakriti vimanam.

1. Srirangam-Sri Ranganatha

According to the history of Srirangam, the glittering Vimana of this temple, sprang as a result of the tapas of Lord Brahmadeva in the depths of the Paarkadal (milky ocean). It was borne by Garuda and Aadhisesha had spread his hood over it. Brahmadeva found Lord Vishnu resting on Aadhisesha, and understood that he had come as Swayamvyakta (on his own accord as idol). Brahmadeva appointed the Sun God to perform the daily pooja. On consistant prayers from King of Ayodhya Ikshwaku of Surya vamsa, Brahmadeva permited him to take the Vimana to Ayodhya. After Ikshwaku, his descendants continued the service of worshipping the lord. Lord Rama who was a descendant of Ikshwaku clan and he also worshipped Lord Ranganatha. On return from Sri Lanka and during his coronation, Rama gave the Vimana as gift to Vibheeshana for worship.

On the way to Sri Lanka, Vibheeshana placed the vimana at Srirangam to rest. But after that he could not lift it, since it was stuck. To console the grief striken Vibheeshana, Lord appeared before him and said that he had already decided to stay in Srirangam. It is said that even today Vibheeshana comes at midnight and worships the lord.

Srirangam-Chandra Pushkarani

Out of 12 Azhwars, except Madhurakavi Azhwar all the rest of the 11 have composed hymns or pasurams in praise of Lord Ranganatha here.
The theertham here is Chandra Pushkarani.
The mortal remains of Ramanuja, who lived for nearly 120 years, is still preserved in a sitting posture. The sannidhi dedicated to him is on the 5th prakaram of the temple.

GOPURA DARSHANAM

Srirangam - Ramanujacharya sannidhi

The mortal remains of Ramanuja, who lived for nearly 120 years, is still preserved in a sitting posture. The sannidhi dedicated to him is on the 5th prakaram of the temple.

RAMANUJACHARYA SANNIDHI

Velukkudi Krishnan Swamigal

Pravachanam on Srirangam...

See in the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69zA_GEetNE 

2. Thirukkozhi (Urayur)

This is the second Divya kshetram in order. In ancient times Urayur was the capital of Cholas. It is also the birth place of Tiruppan Azhwar. This is with in the town of Thiruchi.

The main diety is Azhagia Manavalan in the irundha thirukkolam, with shanku and chakram in the hands. Komalavalli Thayar is also in the same sanctum in a seated posture carrying a lotus in one hand. According to legend a valiant rooster is believed to have chased an elephant with its beak and hence the name – Thirukkozhi. The vimanam seen here is Kalyana vimanam.
Kalyana vimanam

For more Divya Desam temples click on the 'Older posts' below

Kalyana pushkarini

According to legend, King Nandha Chola who was ruling the Chola dynasty with Urayur as his capital was an ardent devotee of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. He was issueless and hence he prayed to Lord to give him a child. Once while hunting he found a child on a lotus in a pond. He brought the child home and named her Komalavalli, meaning one who has come out of lotus. When she came to the marriage age, she wanted to marry Lord Ranganatha. The king arranged for the marriage as told to him in his dream. When she went to the Sanctum of the lord, she dissappeared. In memory of this marriage the king built a temple at Urayur. The theertham here is Kalyana theertham.

Kalyana theertham

For more Divya Desam temples click on the 'Older posts' below -There are 81 postings