108 Divya Desams - 108 Vishnu temples

Thiruvanparisaram

Other Name: Thirupathi Sararn
Town Name: Thiruvannparisaaram
Reason for Name: Kulasekhara King after a successful war and a long march came lost his favorite horse. He found the horse peacefully garzing here. He also found an old Temple of Vishnu here. He renovated the Temple and named the place as Thiruvannaparisaram (Pari = Horse).
Nearest Major Town / City: Nagerkoil
Route: Travel 4 km from Nagerkoil on Thirunelvelli Road and then turn left and travel about 0.5 km to reach the Temple. Buses available from Nagarkoil
Vimanam: Indira Kalyana Vimanam
Pushkarani: Lakshmi Theertham
Sthala Vriksham: Neem Tree
Festivals: Chitirai Vishu Thiruvizha (Radham), Adi Swathi Thiruvizha, Sri Bali Thiruvizha, Krishna Janmashtami (Avani), Purattasi Saturdays, Karthikai Utsavam, Anusha Thirunal Festival, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sri Rama Navami
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Thirukkuralappan
Perumal Other Name: Thiruvazhmaarbar
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Thiruvazhmaarbar
Hastam / Mudrai: Abhaya Hastam
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Kamalavalli Nacchiyar


Thirukatkarra

Town Name: Thirukatkarra
Reason for Name: Katkarai is the place where Perumal placed His foot.
Nearest Major Town / City: Ernakulam
Route: 13 km from Ernakulam. Go on the NH towards Aluwa; turn right after the Ernakulam by Pass joins near Edappaly. From the right turn it is about 4 km on the left hand side. Buses available from Ernakulam.
Vimanam: Pushkala Vimanam
Pushkarani: Kapila Theertham
Kshetram: Vamana Kshetram
Festivals: Thiruonam (Avani Thiruvonam)
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Kaatkaraippan
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Kaatkaraippan
Hastam / Mudrai: Hands with Changu, chakram and lotus. Lower left hand is on the hip.
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Perumselva Nacchiyar
Thayar Name (Utsavar): Vatsalyavalli


Thirumoozhikalam

Other Name: Local call this Temple as Muzhikalam or Lakshmanan Temple
Town Name: Thirumoozhikalam
Reason for Name: Perumal preached Srisukti (Thirumozhi) to Haridamaharishi. Hence the place is called Thirumozhikalam, which became Thirumoozhikalam.
Nearest Major Town / City: Ernakulam
Route: From Ernakulam, on the highway to Trichur, at Atani, there is a right turn for the international airport. Immediately after this turn to the airport is a turn to the left. On this road, travel about 4 km to Changamanad village, turn right and travel about 4 km. Temple is on the left. From Ernakulam it is about 27 km. Buses available.
Vimanam: Soundarya Vimanam
Pushkarani: Perunkula Pushkarani, Shanka Theertham, Sittaru (Chalakudi Puzha)
Kshetram: Lakshmana Kshetram
Festivals: Thai Koothu. It is believed that during Adi, it is a must to visit the four Temple of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satruguna.
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Thirumuzhikkalattan,
Perumal Other Name: Appan, Srisuktinadan
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Mathuraveni Nacchiyar


Thiruppuliyur

Other Name: This is also called Kuttadu Thiruppuliyur to differentiate from Siruppulliyur.
Reason for Name: The Saptha rishis refused the alms given by King Vrishadharhi, son of Sibi. The king tried to lure the rishis but failed. He then performed a yagna from which came Kritiyai, a Marga Stri, to kill the rishis. The rishis prayed to Perumal, who then directed Indira to kill this woman. Indira took the form of Puli (Tiger) and killed her. Hence the name Thiruppuliyur.
Nearest Major Town / City: Chenganur
Route: 6 km West of Chenganur on Chenganur Mannar Road. Buses available from Chenganur
Vimanam: Purushottama Vimanam
Pushkarani: Saptha Rishis
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Porkodi Nacchiya


Chenganur

Other Name: Thiruchenkundrur, Thiruchittararu Pandava Temple
Town Name: Chenganur
Thiruvanvandur 15 km North West: Thirukadittanam 7 km North East of Thiruvalla: and Thiruvaramulla, 10 km East.
Nearest Major Town / City: Chenganur
Route: From Chenganur travel towards Thiruvalla. Cross a railway over bridge at the end of the town. Turn left towards west immediately. Travel about 1 km on that road to reach the Temple. This place is about 16 km from Thiruvalla. Buses and trains ply from many parts of Kerala.
Vimanam: Jagajjothi Vimanam
Pushkarani: Sanga Theertham, Thiru Chitaru
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Imayavaramban
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Sengamalavalli Nacchiyar


Thirunaavai

Other Name: Naavai
Town Name: Thirunaavai
Reason for Name: 9 yogis performed tapas here. The place was called Thiru Navayogi. This changed to Thirunaavai.
Nearest Major Town / City: Thirur / Kuttipuram
Route: This Temple is located very close to National Highway connecting Kochi to Mangalore. Travel on this highway past Guruvayur till reaching Kuttipuram. At Kuttipuram take Thirur Road. About 6 km from Kuttipuram. About 1 km from Thirunaavai Station. This is about 58 km from Shoranur Station. Buses are available from Guruvayur and Palakkadu.
Vimanam: Veda Vimanam
Pushkarani: Sengamala Saras
Festivals: Maha Magham used to be held here to coincide with Kumbakonam Maha Magham. The last one was conducted in 1766.
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Narayanan
Perumal Other Name: Naavai Mukundan
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Malarmangai Nacchiyar, and Siru Devi