Situated close to Kozhikode in the village of Thirunageswaram near kumbakonam, Uppiliappan Temple is a highly esteemed Hindu temple. Known by another name, Thiruvinnagar of Venkatachalapathy Temple, this Dravidian-style temple houses Lord Vishnu’s image. Regarded as the sixty-first of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Lord Vishnu, the shrine is honored in the well-known Tamil work Divya Prabandha. Lord Uppiliappan is the worshiped form of Vishnu, while Bhumi Dev is the worshiped form of his spouse Lakshmi. It is thought that the arulmigu sri oppiliappan temple construction began in the eighth century AD, during the rule of the Chola dynasty, and was finished during the Thanjavur Nayak era. Constructed within a granite wall, the five-tiered gopuram features two Chola-era inscriptions. Uppiliappan Temple was run and maintained by the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious and Endowment Board, which also observed three yearly festivals in addition to six daily rituals. Thousands of pilgrims assemble at the location to take part in the celebrations of the Panchguni Festival, also known as the Chariot Festival, which takes place in March or April.
According to the oldest legend connected to the temple, Tulsi, the plant, once prayed to become closer to Lord Vishnu. The plant is blessed by Vishnu with the expectation that Goddess Lakshmi will personally sit on it. At that time, tulsi grew where the temple currently stands. After a few years, Maharishi Markandeya prayed to Lord Vishnu, asking him to grant Goddess Lakshmi a birth as his daughter so that he could later wed her and become her son-in-law.
Upon arriving at the temple site, Markandeya experienced a divine vision and initiated a rigorous penance that persisted for numerous millennia. When Lakshmi finally materialized as a baby beneath the tulsi plant, Markandeya realized his wish had come true. After raising the child to adolescence, the Maharishi asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage when Vishnu disguised himself and appeared before him. Markandeya retorted that his daughter was too young to make decisions about marriage, much less the amount of salt in food. In addition to embracing his daughter’s imperfection, Vishnu promised that the food she prepares will be of the highest caliber, salt or no salt.
Confused, the Maharishi prayed to Lord Vishnu for guidance. Following his marriage to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu resurfaced in his original form, complete with a conch and chakram. In the same location is the temple. Furthermore, according to this legend, the prasad served at the Neyvethiyam temple is still made without the addition of salt.
Oppiliappan Temple History:
The inscriptions do nb ot lead to a trace of the temple’s true history. Nonetheless, the inscriptions and gift records found on the temple’s walls and artwork imply that the temple was built during the medieval Cholas Period. The majority of the inscriptions and epitaphs date from Rajendra Chola’s and Rajaraja Rajakkesarivarman I’s reigns.
The shrine was altered by succeeding kings. The presiding deity’s wooden idol was replaced with a stone one. Govinda Dikshitar and the Nayak rulers added and extended a great deal.
Tirunageswaram Arulmigu Oppiliappan Temple Timings & Distance:
Morning: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening:, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
15 min(6.8 km) via Kumbakonam – Karaikkal Main Rd/Manthai – Karuppur Main Rd
Directions to Oppiliappan koil:
The Uppiliappan Temple is situated close to Kumbakonam in Thanjavur. It is conveniently accessible by hired taxis, cars, and state-run buses. As an alternative, you could drive to the location.
When Is The Best to Visit Uppiliappan?
The temple is most accessible in March and April when the yearly Chariot Festival, also called the Panchguni Festival, is held. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit the temple to take part in the festivities, which are adorned with colorful lights and decorations. To more about temples in allover India visit official website of liturgical temple.
Nearby Temples: Ramaswamy Temple, Brihadeshwara Temple, Thirumanancheri Temple, Nachiyar Koil, Arulmigu Naganathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai Murugan Temple, Kizhvelur Temple.