Uppiliappan Temple, also known as Thiruvinnagar of Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu, located near Thirunageswaram, a village in the outskirts of the Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is counted as the 60th among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. Vishnu is worshiped as Uppiliappan and his consort Lakshmi as Bhumi Devi.The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Location TamilNadu, Thanjavur, Chennai

Legend

According to legends, Tulasi did penance to attain closeness to Lord Vishnu. Pleased by Tulasi's devotion, Vishnu gave a boon to the plant that his consort Lakshmi would appear under her lap in Tiruvinnagaram. Tulasi appeared in the place where the temple is located. Mrikandu Maharishi's son, Markandeya worshiped Vishnu and he wished to get Lakshmi as his daughter and Vishnu himself should become his son-in-law. When Markandeya reached Thiruvinnagaram, he felt that it was the right place for getting his desire fulfilled. Markandeya started a severe penance for thousand years seeking Lakshmi's blessings. Lakshmi appeared as a baby under the already incarnated tulasi plant. Markandeya took baby with him and raised the baby as his own. When the young girl reached adolescent age, on the panguni month of Shravana,Vishnu appeared as an old man and asked for the hand of Markandeya's daughter in marriage. Markandeya replied that, "You are very ripe and old, my daughter is too young and she does not even know how to cook with proper salt contents" to which the old man replied, "If your daughter must cook without salt, then I will still take it as my best food, but I will not leave from here without marrying her". Markandeya realised that the old man was none other than Vishnu himself. Vishnu appeared in front of Markandeya with conch and chakram as in Vaikundam. Markandeya offered his daughter's hand in marriage. As per the legend, the temple Neyvethiyam (food offering in the temple) is always prepared without salt in the food.

This temple is part of the famous Kumbakonam Divyadesam Yatra.

Architecture

The Oppliyappan Temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture.The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (the gateway tower) and enshrined within a granite wall. The complex contains all the shrines and water bodies associated with it. The Sahasradhari plate and pot (kudam) are made of gold for performing Thirumanjanam (ablution) to the presiding deity. The shrine over the sanctum is plated with gold. A marble hall is located on the western side in the inner precinct acts as the resting hall for the festival deities during festivals. Dolotsavam festival is celebrated in Another marble hall in the northern side of the temple. Outside the main complex, the temple maintains two marriage halls, a rest house containing five rooms, two other halls, a housing each for the small chariot and the big chariot.

Culture

Kumbakonam is a temple town at 40 km from Thanjavur and base town to visit large number of temples including Navagraha temples. Kumbakonam is one of the few places in India, which has a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is where the festival of Mahamaham is celebrated every 12 years at the Mahamaham tank.Swamimalai near kumbakonam is situated central to a large number of temples and therefore an important part of Tamilnadu Itinerary. Thirunageswaram is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is located 8 km east of Kumbakonam.

Picture Courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 5:00 AM till 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM till 9:00 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Male devotees have been advised to wear dhoti, shirt, pyjama or pant and shirt while women and girls should wear saris or churidhar or 'pavadai' with half-sari. Devotees wearing lungi, bermudas,

jeans and tight-leggings would not be allowed.

Famous Festival

April/May - Ramanavami

May/June -  Vasanta Utsavam

Aug/Sep - Pavitrotsavam (Avani)

Sept/Oct - Brahmotsavam (Purattasi)

Oct/Nov - Kalyana Utsavam (Aippasi)

Dec/Jan - Adhyayana Utsavam (Margazhi)

Temple Rituals

The temple observes six daily rituals.

It is believed that if one offer sandal and kumkum one will get salvation from brahmahathi dosha. Offering of doopakal,deepkal and bell will releive one of all sins.

People offer black peppers with salt at Lord Narayana's feet in front of the Garudazhwar, to cure them of any dermal diseases.

It is beleived that one who worships Narayana with Tulsi leaves will get the effect of doing an Ashvamedha yagam.

It is believed that praying to Lord and Mother in the temple would ensure unity among the couples and cultivate in them the quality of tolerance.

Special Rituals

Sravanam is very special here. During that day devotees take a dip in the temple tank and get the darshan of 'sravana' deepam. Sravan Deepam is a festival celebrated every month in the temple on the day of Tamil star of Thiruvonam and devotees observe fast called Sravana Vratham that day by consuming only unsalted food.

Additional Info

 

Rajas Bhavan Vegetarian hotel

Sri Ganesh Bhavan

Anaz Restaurant

 

 Supermarket : Available