Sreyoshi Mukherjee Reward Points : 4400 Member Since : Thursday, April 16, 2009
I want to know more about Divya Desam shrines mentioned in the Vaishnava tradition....
Posted On : 4/17/2009 10:41:22 PM
Albert D souza Reward Points : 33200 Member Since : Sunday, February 24, 2008
Hi Sreyoshi, It was around 1300 years ago when the Bhakti movemet was prevailing in India the Alwar saint poets of Tamilnadu, sang verses in praise of Vishnu. The poets glorified the deity enshrined in temples all over India. These verses coupled with the temples are still reckoned as the inseparable part of the cultural fabric of the Tamil Nadu region. 108 of these shrines and mythological abodes are collectively known as the Divya Desam shrines in the Vaishnava tradition.
Posted On : 4/18/2009 1:33:08 AM
Manpreet Bharara Reward Points : 30900 Member Since : Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Srivilliputtur the birthplace of Andal, is considered to be among the holiest of the 108 Divya Desam shrines dedicated to Vishnu. This is the birthplace of Andal, who was a great poet-saintess of the Bhakti tradition and is closely associated with the life of Andal. Also in Srivilliputtur is the Madavar Vilagam Vaidyanathar temple enshrining a six feet high monolithic image of Natarajar is considered to be a masterpiece. This temple was also patronized by the Madurai Nayak kings. The name Villiputtur stems from the legend that this town was built by two hunters Villi and Puttan. Legend has it that Periyalwar a devotee of Vatapatrasaayee, served the temple, by fashioning garlands out of fresh flowers from the garden which he maintained. Andal his daughter discovered in the temple garden was in the habit of wearing the garland prior to submitting them to the deity. An aghast Periyalwar, tried to stop Andal s deed, and was directed by the deity, that He indeed preferred garlands which had been worn by Andal. It is believed that Andal left her mortal body and merged with Ranganathar.
Posted On : 4/19/2009 10:35:22 PM
Maniam PS [Guru] Reward Points : 137200 Member Since : Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Divya Desams are Vishnu temples where the 12 Azhvars divine saints of vaishnavism have rendered mangalasasanam Songs in praise of the lord . The 12 divine saints are Poigaiazhvar, Boodhathazhvar, Peyazhvar, Thirumazhisaiazhvar, Nammazhvar, Madhurakavi Azhvar, Kulasekara Azhvar, Periyazhvar, Aandal, Thondaradi Podi Azhvar, Thiruppaanaazhvar and Thirumangaiazhvar. There are 108 such Vishnu Temples. Out of them 105 are located in India, 1 in Nepal and 2 in the non-physical world. Vaishnava Hindus, especially in South India, hope to visit all the 106 earthly divya desams in their lifetime, and aspire to reach the 2 spiritual divya desams after their lifetime.
Divya Desam Shrines
