- Special Features
Foundation Year1000 - 2000 years oldSthala TreeTheerthamAhotra PushkariniRathamArchitectureOther Speciality(Divya Desam)
- Sthala PuranArulmigu Venkatajalapathyswamy Temple 108 holy vaishnavite temples, in 16th diviyadesam.
Location
The temple is situated about 7kms south of Kumbakonam and about 1/2km from Kumbakonam Karaikal bus route. Number of town buses ply frequently between Kumbakonam and this place and Naganatha Swamy Temple (Raghu Sthalam) is also closeby.
Different Names of this Holy Place
1. Akasa Nagaram
2. Vaikunta Nagaram
3. Tiruvinnagar
4. Oppiliappan Sannidhi
5. Uppiliappan Sannidhi
Different Names of the Presiding Deity
1. Thiruvinnagarappan
2. Thannopparillappan
3. Oppiliappan
4. Uppiliappan
5. Srinivasan
6. Venkatachalapathi
Different Names of the Goddess
1. Bhoomidevi
2. Bhoodevi
3. Bhoomi Nachiar
4. Dharani devi
5. Vasundhara
Alwars who sang in praise of Lord Oppiliappan
1.Nammalwar(11verses) 2.Thirumangai alwar (34 verses), 3. Pogai alwar (1verse), 4. Peyalwar (2verses), Total 48 verses.
Holy waters (Pushkarini)
The pushkarini (Temple Tank) here is known as lsquoAhoratra Pushkarinirdquo meaning that bathin is speciality permissible here both during day and night. Normally according to sastras, bathing in holy waters is not permitted during nights. But nowadays bathing is permitted here, only when the temple is kept open for darshan.
The day Lord Oppiliappan appeared
It was at noon on the day of sravanam in the Tamil month of Panguni that Lord appeared to Markandeya here. As such a 9 day festival of Brahmotsavam is celebrated every year with Big Chariot on the day of Panguni Sravanam.
Wedding Day
Lord Oppiliappan married Bhoomi devi on the day of Sravanam in the Tamil month of Aippasi. In celebration of this, a 12day music and dance festival, is held every year, commencing with Tirukkalyanam (holy wedding) of the Lord with Bhoomidevi on Aippasi Sravanam.
Speciality of the Temple
All food offerings at the temple are strictly and completely saltless. Salt or any food item containing salt is not allowed in the temple beyond Garudarsquos Sannidhi. it is a sin to carry salt inside the temple. Hence the Lord is also called as lsquoLavana Varjita Venkatesarsquo ie. Venkatesa who avoids salt.
There is no sepatate Shrine for Bhoomidevi here and as already stated, Bhoomidevi is sitting with folded hands by the Side of the Lord in the main sanctum sanctorum. The utsava deity Oppiliappan is never taken out of the temple, without His consort, Bhoomidevi.
Sampradaya in the temple
Vadakalai tradition is followed in the temple, giving importance to Vedantha Desika. He accompanies the utsava deities in almost all festivals.
Puja Practice
Pujas and festivals are conducted in the temple according to Vaikhanasa Agama Sastras. Pujas are Performed six times daily, starting with Viswarupa Darsanam in the morning when recitation of Suprabhatam, Prapatti and Mangalam specially composed in praise of this deity takes place.
Thiruppavai recitation and Vedaparayanam then follow, concluding with Sathumurai. Then the principal puja takes place, when offerings are made at all other shrines also. Then at noon another puja is performed. Again the evening puja is held, when recitation of Divya Prabandha and Veda Parayana takes place, followed by Sathumurai. Then about 8.00pm principal night puja is performed when offerings are made at all other shrines also. Then the last puja for the day is performed about 9.00pm following which the temple is closed for the day.
Sri Ramanavami
Sri Ramanavami is celebrated for 11days on a grand scale at this temple, with music and dance performances. On the 10th day, Kanakabishekam and Rama Pattabhishekam are conducted on a grand and majestic scale, attended by thousands of devotees.
- ArchitectureRajagopuramkattai Gopuram
Tower Name - Rajagopuram
Constructor Name - Parakesarivarman @ Rajedhra chozha
No.of Kalasam - 7
Lightning Arrester - Yes
Tower Description - Rajagopuram 1 (Five Stage)
Moolasthana VimanamTower Name - kattai Gopuram
Constructor Name - Paraakesarivarman@Rajendra Chola (1)
No.of Kalasam - 5
Lightning Arrester - No
Tower Description - Upstair in Nadavana Mandapam
Tower Name - Moolasthana Vimanam
Lightning Arrester - No
Tower Description - Upstairs in Karpagraham
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and PrayersOfferings to DeityStotras and Mantras
- FestivalsBrahmmotsavam is grantly celebratedPurattasi ( September - October ), Aipasi ( October - November ), Panguni ( March - April )Vaikasi (May–June)Pavitrotsavam (purifying festival) for 5 days during Avani (Aug – Sep)Brahmotsavam for nine days of Purattasi (Sept – Oct)Kalyana Utsavam (holy marriage of god and goddess)for 12 days commencing from Sravanam during Aippasi (Oct–Nov)Adhyayana Utsavam (ten-day-and-ten-night festival)During Margazhi (Dec–Jan) and float festival for 5 days during Thai(Jan – Feb).
- Sodasha Upcharas
- Prasadhas
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
- Tags