A Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Alvars (saints). Of the 108 temples, 105 are in India, one is in Nepal, and last two are believed to be outside the Earthly realms.
In India they are spread over states of Tamil Nadu(84), Kerala(11), Andhra Pradesh(2), Gujarat(1), Uttar Pradesh(4), Uttarakhand(3). The last two are Thirupalkadal and Paramapadam.Tirupalkaddal is the ocean of milk and paramapadam is the Vaikuntha where lord Vishnu presides.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Alvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Divya Desams follow Thenkalai or Vadakalai modes of worship
Categories (7) | Positions of Lord Vishnu (3) | Directions (4) |
Thondai Naadu temples | Kidantha Thirukkolam( Sleeping Position ) 27 Divya desams | Towards East direction 79 Divya desams |
Chozha Naadu temples | Veetrirundha Thirukkolam( Sitting Position ) 21 Divya desams | Towards West direction 19 Divya desams |
Nadu Naadu Temples | Nindra Thirukkolam( Standing Position ) 60 Divya desams | Towards North direction 3 Divya desams |
Pandiya Naadu Temples | Towards South direction 7 Divya desams | |
Malayala Naadu temples | ||
Vadu Naadu Temples | ||
Vinnulaga Thiruppathigal |