Location: Uppiliappan
Koil near Kumbhakonam
(Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Uppiliappan
Taayaar: Bhumi Devi
Theertham:Ahoratra Pushkarini
Paasuram :Tirumangai, Peyalwar, Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Vishnu Vimanam, Sudhdhananda
Travel Base: Thanjavur
Description: This Divyadesam is located
near Tirunageswaram, near Tiruvidaimarudur
and Kumbhakonam. It is one of the well known and well visited
Divya Desam temples and is considered to be a Prartanaistalam. The name
Oppiliappan refers to the presiding deity who is considered comparable to
none. Nammalwar refers to Vishnu as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Muttappan, Ennappan
and Tiruvinnagarappan.
Deities:
The Moolavar Oppiliappan or Uppiliappan - Srinivasan, in a standing posture
facing east resembles Venkatachalapati at Tirupati. Taayaar here is Bhumi
Devi, enshrined in the same sanctum. Legend has it that Markandeyar, Kaveri
and Yama worshipped Vishnu here. It is believed that this shrine is equivalent
to Tirupati.
Legend
has it that Bhudevi was reborn as the daughter of Markandeya and that
an old man sought her hand in marriage; the sage attempted to stall the
marriage by stating that his daughter was not well versed in household
duties, and that she would even forget to season food with salt. The old
man revealed himself as Vishnu, and took Bhu Devi as his bride. Salt is
not included in any of the offerings made to the deity; hence also, the
name Uppiliappan.
Festivals:
The annual Bhramotsavams are celebrated in the months of Pankuni and Purattasi.
The Vasantotsavam is celebrated in Vaikasi, and the Tirukkalyana Utsavam
in Aippasi.
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