| Description: This
Divyadesam is located near Tirunageswaram,
near Tiruvidaimarudur and Kumbhakonam. It is one of the well known and
well visited Divya Desam temples and is considered to be a Prartanaistalam. The name
Oppiliappan refers to the presiding deity who is considered comparable to none. Nammalwar
refers to Vishnu as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Muttappan, Ennappan and Tiruvinnagarappan. Deities:
The Moolavar Oppiliappan or Uppiliappan - Srinivasan, in a standing posture facing east
resembles Venkatachalapati at Tirupati. Taayaar here is Bhumi Devi, enshrined in the same
sanctum. Legend has it that Markandeyar, Kaveri and Yama worshipped Vishnu here. It is
believed that this shrine is equivalent to Tirupati.
Legend has it that Bhudevi was reborn as the daughter of Markandeya
and that an old man sought her hand in marriage; the sage attempted to stall the marriage
by stating that his daughter was not well versed in household duties, and that she would
even forget to season food with salt. The old man revealed himself as Vishnu, and took Bhu
Devi as his bride. Salt is not included in any of the offerings made to the deity; hence
also, the name Uppiliappan. Legends associated with this temple are referenced in the
Bhrahmaanda puraanam.
The temple: Adorned with a 50 feet high five tiered Raja gopuram, this
east facing temple has two prakarams. Stone inscriptions here refer to the templeas
Tiruvinnagar - Tirunageswaram and Uyyakkondaar Valanaadu. Inscriptions here date back to
the period of Rajendra Chola.
Festivals: The annual Bhramotsavams are celebrated in the months of
Pankuni and Purattasi. The Vasantotsavam is celebrated in Vaikasi, and the Tirukkalyana
Utsavam in Aippasi.
Links: The Oppiliappan Temple homepage. |
