108 Divya Desams - 108 Vishnu temples

Koiladi

Other Name: Thirupper Nagar
Town Name: Koiladi
Reason for Name: This Temple is ‘just a step’ to Srirangam and hence the name Koil + Adi = Koiladi.
Nearest Major Town / City: Thiruchirapalli
Route: This place is about 25 km from Thiruchirapalli on Thiruchirapalli Thiruvayaru road, about 4 km from Kallanai towards Thiruvayaru. Though this place is just about 5 km from Anbil, as the crow flies, there is no direct road. Buses ply from Thiruchirapalli and Thiruvayaru. Shortest via Kallanai from Trichy
Vimanam: Indira Vimanam
Pushkarani: Indira Pushkarani
Sthala Vriksham: Purasam / Vilvam
Ksetram: Pancha Ranga kshetram (Srirangapattanam, Koiladi, Srirangam, Kumbakonam & Indalur)
Festivals: Panguni Uttram, Vigunda Ekadesi, Adi and Thai Fridays, Thayar Purappadu, Kanu and Navarathri, Avani Jeshtabishekam
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Appakudathan Perumal Other Name: Vakkaran Mun Kedantha Mayan, Adi Ranganathan,
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Alaghia Manavalan, Appala Rangan
Hastam / Mudrai: Abhaya Hastam
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Indiradevi, Kamalavalli
Thayar Name (Utsavar): Mahalakshmi


Thiruadanoor

Town Name: Adanoor
Reason for Name: Since Kamadenu came ahead of Lakshmi from Parkkadal, she felt she should be honoured first, ahead of Lakshmi. Perumal gave her a marakkal and asked her to fill it with her Ishwarya. Kamadenu could not fill the marakkal Lakshmi prayed to the Perumal and dropped a tulasi into the marakkal and it overflowed. Kamadenu worshipped the Perumal and surrended herself. Hence it is called Aa (Cow) + Than (Thapas) + Oor (Place)
Nearest Major Town / City: Kumbakonam
Route: 16 km from Kumbakonam. Go on the Swamimalai road and turn right just before Swamimalai. Buses going to Thiruvaikavoor pass through this village.
Where to Stay: Kumbakonam
Vimanam: Pranava Vimanam
Pushkarani: Surya Pushkarani
Sthala Vriksham: Punnai Maram, Padaloi Maram
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Aandaiakkumaiyan
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Ranganathan
Hastam / Mudrai: Abaya Hastam
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Ranganayaki
Thayar Name (Utsavar): Kamalavasini


Thiruvazhundur

Other Names: Terazhundur, Ratha Manga Puram
Town Name: Thiruvazhundur
Reason for Name: The flying chariot of king Uparisravas fell down from the sky into the mud here, due to a curse, as he was not impartial in a dispute between Devas and Rishis. Hence the name Thiruvazhundur or Terazhundur. (Ther = Chariot, Azhund = Bury, Ur = Town).
Nearest Major Town / City: Mayavaram
Route: 12 km from Mayavaram, travel on Mayavaram Kumbakonam road till Kshetrapalapuram. At Kshetrapalapuram turn towards Thiruvazhudur and travel 5 km. Buses ply from Mayavaram.
Vimanam: Garuda Vimanam
Pushkarani: Darshana Pushkarani, Cauvery
Kshetram: Pancha Krishna Kshetram
Festivels: Panguni Punarvasu, Adi ammavasai Perumal is covered with butter, Thai ammavasai
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Devadirajan
Perumal Other Name: Kosakan
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Aamaruviappan
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Chengamalavalli Thayar


Sirupuliyur

Town Name: Sirupuliyur
Reason for Name: Vyaghrapadamuni worshipped Shiva for moktsha. Shiva advised the Muni to worship Perumal Vishnu here. The Rishi wanted the legs and the eyes of tiger to reach this place quickly. Hence the neme (Vyanghra = Tiger / Puli, Pada = Feet).
Nearest Major Town / City: Mayavaram
Route: 11 km from Mayavaram, Travel on Thiruvarur road up to Kollumangudi. At Kollumangudi, turn left and travel 1 km. Turn left again and travel about 1 km to reach the Temple. Kollumangudi station on Mayavaram – Thiruvarur line.
Vimanam: Nandavartana Vimanam
Pushkarani: Maanasa Pushkarani, Anantha Saras
Festivals: Brahmotsavam during Vaikasi concluding on visakham. Manavala Mamuni Utsavam Aypassi Moolam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Masi Sukla Ekadasi, Ananathar Utsavam, Panguni Utram
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Sala Sayana Perumal
Perumal Other Names: Krupasamudra Perumal, Arulmaakadal
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Krupasamudra Perumal, Arulmaakadal
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Thirumamagal Nacchiyar
Thayar Name (Utsavar): Dayanayaki


Thirucherai

Town Name: Thirucherai
Reason for Name: Brahma made pots out of the earth from the Pushkarani here to store the vedas during the pralaya. Hence Thirucherai – Cheru = mud.
Other Interests: Nachiyar Koil: Kudavasal town nearby; Saraparameswarar Shiva Temple
Nearest Major Town / City: Kumbakonam
Route: 21 km from Kumbakonam (10 km from Nacchiyar Koil) on Thiruvarur Road. Buses ply from Kumbakonam.
Vimanam: Saara Vimanam
Pushkarani: Saara Pushkarani
Kshetram: Panchasara Kshetram (Saaranathan, Saaranayaki, Saara Vimanam, Sara Pushkarani and Sara Kshetram).
Festivals: When Guru is in Pushyam, once in 12 years, a festival similar to Mahamagham at Kumbakonam is held. Thai Pusam is an important day here.
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Saaranathan
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Mamadhalai piran
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Saaranayaki


Talaicchangadu

Other Names: Talaichanga Nanmadium, Talaichangum Town Name: Talaicchangadu
Reason for Name: The Changu held by the Perumal is very beautiful here. Due to this, it is believed that the name Talaisangam. It is believed that the name Talaisangam. It is also said that this place was a leading centre for Sangu (Conch). Therefore it was called Talaichanganam during the Tamil Sangam period. This changed to Talaichangam and then to Talaicchangadu. The Perumal holds a priceless sangu in his hand and hence the place is called Talaisangam.
Nearest Major Town / City: Mayavaram
Route: 28 km from Mayavaram. Alternately, can travel to Akkur by road and 3 km from there. (About 25 km southeast of Sirkazhi). This Temple is about 7 km from Poompuhar the ancient capital and port of Cholas. At Poompuhar entrance arch turn right towards Nagapatttanam. At Talaicchangadu village turn right and travel on sandy track for about 1.5 km to reach the Temple. Buses ply up to the village.
Vimanam: Chandra Vimanam
Pushkarani: Chandra Pushkarani
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Naanmadeeya Perumal
Perumal Other Name: Venchudar Perumal
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Vyoma Jyothi Perumal, Venchudar Perumal, Lokanathan
Hastam / Mudrai: Abhaya Hastam
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Thalaicchanga Nacchiyar
Thayar Name (Utsavar): Chengamalavalli Thayar