The 108 Divya Desam, or the 108 Divine Abodes, are a sacred group of 108 Vishnu temples revered in the Hindu tradition. These hallowed shrines, scattered across the Indian subcontinent, are believed to be the earthly manifestations of Lord Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe. For those interested in exploring these sacred sites, the 108 Divya Desam list provides a comprehensive guide to each temple’s location and significance.
Each of these temples holds a unique and profound significance, embodying the essence of the divine and serving as sanctuaries for spiritual enlightenment. Embarking on a pilgrimage to these sacred sites is considered a profoundly transformative experience, one that promises to uplift the soul and forge an unbreakable bond with the Divine.
108 Divya Desam List: Origins and Importance
The concept of the 108 Divya Desam finds its roots in the Alvars, a group of 12 revered saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. These mystic poets and devotees of Lord Vishnu composed thousands of devotional hymns, known as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, which extolled the glory and divinity of the Lord’s abodes.
According to legend, Lord Vishnu himself revealed these 108 sacred sites to the Alvars, granting them the privilege of spreading the eternal wisdom and enlightenment found within these hallowed grounds. Each temple in the 108 Divya Desam is believed to house a specific manifestation of Lord Vishnu, each with its unique iconography, legends, and spiritual significance.
Twelve Alvars are holy saints revered in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Their hymns of devotion, called the Divya Prabandham is the foundational part of this Sri Vaishnavism sect. They believe to represent the incarnations of different types of Lord Vishnu and are sent to Earth to spread the practice of bhakti (devotion) via their poems and teachings. Below is a brief description about each Alvar:
1. Poigai Alvar is believed to be the incarnation of Vishnu’s conch, Poigai Alvar was born in Kanchipuram. The composer of the “Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi,” a series of devotional songs and is renowned for his philosophical insights as well as his deep dedication.
2. Bhoothath Alvar: A incarnation of Vishnu’s Mace His birthplace was Mahabalipuram. His works, such as his famous poem “Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi,” emphasize the power of divine love and the joy that comes in surrendering to God.
3. Pey Alvar depicting the sword of Vishnu, Pey Alvar was a native of Mylapore. His compositions, like “Moonram Thiruvandhadhi,” focus on the joy of having divine visions and the importance of loving God.
4. Thirumalisai Alvar was born at Thirumalisai the city of Thirumalisai, he is believed to be to be the embodiment the discus of Lord Vishnu. His most notable works include “Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi,” which examines the nature of the divine and soul’s relationship to God.
5. Nammalvar of the most well-known alvars Nammalvar is a Tamil born Alwarthirunagari. His many contributions include “Thiruvaimozhi,” a cornerstone of Tamil devotional literature, which depicts the soul’s desire to be united with Vishnu.
6. Madhurakavi Alvar is a devotee of Nammalvar He was born in Thirukolur. He stands out among the Alvars in that he composed songs solely to praise Nammalvar, his guru. Nammalvar particularly within his hymn “Kanninun Siruthambu.”
7. Kulasekara Alvar: A King from Kerala, Kulasekara Alvar identified himself as a embodiment that of the Vishnu Kaustubha gem. Its “Perumal Thirumozhi” reflects his dedication to the royal family and his deep devotion in Rama as well as Krishna.
8. Periyalvar born in Srivilliputhur and is regarded as the personification of Garuda Vishnu’s vehicle. The epic poem “Periyalvar Thirumozhi” contains vivid stories of Krishna’s early years, showing his parents’ love for the god of God.
9. Andal The sole female Alvar and Periyalvar’s adopted daughter, her compositions include “Thiruppavai” and “Nachiyar Thirumozhi.” The hymns she composed are full of sentimental love and devotion to Krishna and portrays her in the role of his wedding.
10. Thondaradippodi Alvar born in Thirumandangudi and is a symbol of the garland of Vishnu. His works, like “Thirumaalai” are steeped in reverence and humility, highlighting the devotion to God.
11. Thiruppaan Alvar: A representation of Vishnu’s Srivatsa marking He was born in Uraiyur. Its “Amalan Adhipiran” is a stunning poetic representation of the divine nature and characteristics of Vishnu.
12. Thirumangai Alvar is a warrior, and embodiment of the bow of Vishnu, the man was from Thirukurayalur. His many contributions, like”Periya Thirumozhi,” are rich in devotion “Periya Thirumozhi,” are full of devotion and details the splendor of different Vishnu temples.
108 Divyakshetras known as Srivaishnava Divyadesams (SriVaishnava's Holy Pilgrimage spots) of Sri Vaishnava, 106 are located on the earth, most of them situated in southern part of India, said to be with high value of Vedic reliance. Though many of them in worst condition, still the values can be received by a visit to these places. That's why the pilgrimage carried out by the religious and orthodox Indians to temples. And sure IT CURE S!! Cure from many ills.
The temples in the roadside and every nook and corner can never be matched with the ones constructed and placed in accordance with Vedic principles. However it may give some relief from a days tension and a visit to a temple itself gives some peace to many, the inner feeling for prayer and Bhakti can never be questioned.
These 108 Divyadesams (Sri Vaishnava pilgrimage spots are known as Divya Kshetram) are found throughout India and they are divided into 7 categories as listed below. These are the state or zones, where temple is located actually.
Thondainaadu - 22 Divyadesams }
Chozhanaadu - 40 Divyadesams }
Nadunaadu - 2 Divyadesams } All situated in Southern part of India
Pandiyanaadu - 18 Divyadesams }
Malayaalanaadu - 13 Divyadesams }
Vadanaadu - 11 Divyadesams and - Situated in Northern part of India + 1 in Nepal
Lord Sri Mahavishnu's abode 2 Divyadesams - Sri Lord Sriman Narayana's Abode
There are eight SwayamVyaktha (self revealing) kshetrams in India. It virtually means, that no man created or sculptured those Statues of the Lord in these places, but all of His own appearance and creation. These are holy places where the Lord revealed himself to give darshan (Audience) to the People. These are:
Badrikashramam, Salagramam, Naimisaranyam, Pushkaram, Thirumalai (Tirupathi), Srirangam, Srimushnam & Thothadri (Vanamamalai).
Among the 108 Temples known as Divyadesam for Srivaishnavites, only 106 visibly located on the mother Earth. Rest two known are (the most Srivaishnavites would like to visit on attaining the Moksha, to liberate themselves from rebirth) known as Thiruparkadal and Sri Vaikuntham - The Abodes ofSri Maha Vishnu. These are the places worshipped and sung by great Tamil Saints known as Alwars, the saintly poets who immersed themselves in the divine ocean of Lord Vishnu. Divyadesams are also Divya Kshetrams.
Emperumaan, Lord Sriman Narayanan is found in various Thirukkolam. The Thirukkolam (Appearance of His revered Idols) in 108 Divyakshetrams are listed below:
Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping Posture) - 27 Divya desams
Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting Position) - 21 Divya desams
Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Position) - 60 Divya desams
Out of these 108 Divyadesams, as we have seen that The Lord ( Perumal) is gracing on various Thirukkolam (Postures), he is also facing his Thirumugham (Face) on various directions and giving his seva darshan, as below:
The Lord appears facing Towards East direction at 79 temples, facing towards West direction - 19, facing towards North direction - 3 and facing towards South direction in 7 temples.
108 Divya Desam List State Wise
The traditional count of Divya Desam temples is 108, symbolizing completeness and spiritual fulfillment in Hinduism. However, in reality, there are more than 108 temples recognized as Divya Desams due to various interpretations, regional beliefs, and historical developments.
Tamil Nadu (84 Divya Desam List)
- Srirangam
- Tiruchirappalli (Tirukkudanthai, Tirukkozhi)
- Kanchipuram (Varadharaja Perumal, Ashtabhujam, etc.)
- Tiruvallur (Veeraraghava Perumal)
- Srivilliputhur (Vada Perunkovil)
- Alagarkoil (Koodal Azhagar)
- Thanjavur (Oppliyappan, Nachiyar Koil)
- Tirunelveli (Tirukurungudi, Tirukkolur)
- Kumbakonam (Tirukkannapuram, Kapisthalam)
- Mayiladuthurai (Tirukkannangudi, Tirunagari)
- Thoothukudi (Tirupper Nagar, Vaikuntha Vinnagaram)
- Nagapattinam (Tirukkannamangai)
- Ramanathapuram (Tirupullani)
- Virudhunagar (Tiruthangal)
- Madurai (Tirumogur, Koodal Azhagar)
- Devapiran (Tirupathi)
- Sthala Sayana Perumal (Mahabalipuram)
- Parameswara Vinnagaram (Kanchipuram)
- Tiruvahindrapuram (Cuddalore)
- Tirukannapuram
- Tirukannamangai
- Tirupullabhoothangudi
- Tiruarimeya Vinnagaram
- Tirunavari (Tirunangur)
- Tirumeyyam
- Tirukovilur
- Tirumala (Tirupati)
- Tirumogur
- Tiruchitrakoodam
- Tirupper Nagar (Srirangam)
- Tirukkurungudi
- Tirukannangudi
- Tiruvellarai
- Tirukkachhi
- Tirukachi Nambi (Madurantakam)
- Tiruneermalai
- Tirukkannapuram
- Tirukannamangai
- Tirupullabhoothangudi
- Tiruarimeya Vinnagaram
- Tirunavari (Tirunangur)
- Tirumeyyam
- Tirukovilur
- Tirumala (Tirupati)
- Tirumogur
- Tiruchitrakoodam
- Tirupper Nagar (Srirangam)
- Tirukkurungudi
- Tirukannangudi
- Tiruvellarai
- Tirukkachhi
- Tirukachi Nambi (Madurantakam)
- Tiruneermalai
- Tiruthankaal
- Tiruththolaivillimangalam (Erattai Tiruppathi)
- Tiruttavatturai (Tirupperai)
- Tiruvananthapuram (Ananthapadmanabhaswamy)
- Tiruvattar (Adikesava Perumal)
- Tiruvanparisaram
- Tirukkuralappan (Thirukurungudi)
- Tirukuralappan (Tirunelveli)
- Tirukkadalmallai (Mahabalipuram)
- Tirukalukundram
- Tirukalukundram
- Tiruvallur (Thiruvallur)
- Tirukottiyur
- Tirukoshtiyur (Tirukoshtiyur)
- Tirumangai
- Tirumangaivalli
- Tirupathur
- Tirupati (Alagarkoyil)
- Tirukkachchi (Kanchipuram)
- Tiruneermalai (Pallavaram)
- Tirutholaivillimangalam
- Tiruvanparisaram (Tiruvanparisaram)
- Tiruvattar (Adikesava Perumal)
- Tiruvanparisaram (Tiruvanparisaram)
- Tiruvattar (Adikesava Perumal)
- Tiruvanparisaram (Tiruvanparisaram)
- Tiruvattar (Adikesava Perumal)
- Tiruvanparisaram (Tiruvanparisaram)
- Tiruvattar (Adikesava Perumal)
- Tiruvanparisaram (Tiruvanparisaram)
- Tiruvattar (Adikesava Perumal)
Kerala (13 Divya Desam List)
- Thiruvananthapuram (Anantha Padmanabhaswamy)
- Thiruvalla (Vallabha Perumal)
- Chenganur (Puliyur Mahavishnu)
- Kozhikode (Tirunavaya)
- Alappuzha (Ambalapuzha)
- Thrissur (Guruvayur)
- Palakkad (Thiruvithuvakodu)
- Ernakulam (Thirukaatkarai)
- Tiruvalla
- Tiruvalla (Vallabha Perumal)
- Chenganur (Puliyur Mahavishnu)
- Kozhikode (Tirunavaya)
- Alappuzha (Ambalapuzha)
Andhra Pradesh (2 Divya Desam List)
- Tirupati (Venkateswara)
- Ahobilam (Narasimha)
Uttar Pradesh (4 Divya Desam List)
- Mathura (Govindaraja)
- Vrindavan (Rangaji)
- Ayodhya (Chakravarti Thirumagan)
- Varanasi (Vishnu)
Uttarakhand (3 Divya Desam List)
- Badrinath (Badrinarayana)
- Joshimath (Narasimha)
- Haridwar (Rishikesh – Tirukkandam)
Gujarat (1 Divya Desam)
- Dwarka (Dwarkadhish)
Madhya Pradesh (1 Divya Desam)
- Ujjain (Govindaraja)
Rajasthan (1 Divya Desam)
- Jaipur (Govindaraja)
Nepal (1 Divya Desam)
- Kathmandu (Muktinath)
Vinnulagam (Outside the Earthly Realm Divya Desam List)
- Thirupalkkadal
- Paramapadam
Why should we visit 108 Divya Desams?
Embarking on a pilgrimage to the 108 Divya Desams is not merely a physical journey but a spiritual odyssey that offers multifaceted benefits to devotees. Here are compelling reasons to undertake this sacred sojourn:
- Spiritual Awakening: Visiting these divine abodes allows devotees to immerse themselves in the spiritual ambiance, fostering inner peace and spiritual rejuvenation.
- Divine Blessings: Seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu at these sacred sites is believed to bestow divine grace, protection, and auspiciousness upon devotees and their families.
- Cultural Richness: The 108 Divya Desams steep in rich cultural and architectural heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into ancient Hindu traditions and architectural marvels.
- Pilgrim Camaraderie: Pilgrims foster a sense of camaraderie among fellow devotees while journeying to these sacred shrines, creating an atmosphere of shared devotion and spiritual unity.
- Karma Cleansing: Visiting these holy sites and participating in rituals is believed to cleanse one’s sins and karmic burdens, paving the way for spiritual evolution.