4 dham, 51 shaktipeeth, 12 jyotirling. Besides them, there are 108 DIVYA-DESHAM OF SHRI VISHNU about which common north-indians don't know. THESE SACRED PLACES( VARIOUS TEERTH STHALS AROUND THE BHAARTVARSH) ARE ONE OF THE THINGS WHICH BINDS OUR NATION IN A SINGLE THREAD. Besides the Divya Desams, there are also Abhimana Desams and Purana Desams, which are held as sacred shrines for the Srivaishnavites. The shrines where the divine saints Azhwars, said to be the Amsams of Sriman Narayanan, have sung - Mangalaasaasanam - are called Divya Desams. There are 108 Divya Desams, and of these 105 are located in India and 1in Nepal, the remaining two - Parama padam and Thiruppaarkadal - are in the celestial world. The presiding deities in these Divya Desams are found in various Thirukkolams (postures) Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping posture) in 27 Divyadesams Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting posture) in 21 Divyadesams Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing posture) in 60 Divyadesams AZHWARS AND NAALAAYIRA DIVYA PRABHANDAM The Twelve Azhwars are: 1).POIGAI AZHWAR Period 7th Century AD (Kanchipuram) Other Names: Saro yogi, Kaasara yogi, Poigai piran, Padma muni, Kavinyaporeyer Year/Month: Sidharthi / Aippisi Birth Star: Tiruvonam Amsam : Panchajanya (Conch) 2).BHOOTHATH AZHWAR Period 7th Century AD (Mahabalipuram) Year/Month: Sidharthi / Aippisi Birth Star: Avittam Amsam: Kaumodakee (Mace) 3).PEI AZHWAR Period 7th Century AD (Mylapore) Other Names:… Kairava Muni, Mahadaahvayaae Year/Month: Sidharthi /Aippasi Birth Star: Sadayam Amsam: Nandhagam (Sword) \\Poigai Azhwar, Bhootath Azhwar and Pei Azhwar are collectively called as Mudhal Azhwars.\\ 4).TIRUMAZHISAI AZHWAR 7th Century AD (Thirumazhisai) Other Names: Bhakthi Sarar, Magisaarapuriswarar, Mazhisai piraan Year/ Month: Sidharthi / Thai Birth Star: Maham Amsam: Sudarsanam (Discus) 5).TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR 8th Century AD (Thiru Kurayalur) Other Names: Kaliyan, Aalinaadan, Naalu Kavi perumal, Parakaalan, Mangaiyarkone Year/ Month: Nala/ Karthigai Birth Star: Krithigai Amsam: Sarnga (Bow) 6). TONDARADIPODI AZHWAR 8th Century AD (Thirumandangudi) Other Names: Vipra Narayanar, Thiru Mandangudiyaar, Bhakthangirirenu, Palliunartthiya Piraan Year/Month: Prabhava/Margazhi Birth Star: Kettai Amsam: Vanamaalai (garland) 7). TIRUPPAN AZHWAR 8th Century AD (Uraiyur) Other Names: Paanar, Muni vaahanar, Yogi vaahanar, Kaveeswarar Year/Month: Dhurmathi/Karthigai Birth Star: Rohini Amsam: Srivatsam 8). KULASEKHARA AZHWAR 8th Century AD (Thirvanjikkolam) Other Names: Kollikkaavalan, Koodal Naayagan, Koyikone, Villavar Kone, Cheyralar Kone Year/Month: Prabhava/Maasi Birth Star: Punar Poosam Amsam: Kaustubham (Gem Necklace) 9). PERIYAAZHWAR 9th Century AD (Sri Villiputhur) Other Names: Vishnu Chittar, Patta Naadan, Bhattar Piraan, Sri Villiputthooraar, Sriranganaatha Svasoorar Year/Month: Krodhana/Aani Birth Star: Swathi Amsam: Garuda (Chariot/Vehicle) 10). SRI ANDAAL 9th Century AD (Sri Villiputhur) Other Names: Soodi Kodutha Naachiyaar, Kodai, Kodai Piraatti Year/Month: Nala/Aadi Birth Star: Pooram Amsam: Bhoodevi 11).NAMMAAZHWAR 9th Century AD Azhwar Thirunagari (Kurugoor) Other Names: Sadagopan, Paraankusan, Sadaari, Maaran, Vakulaaa Baranan, Kurugaiyar Kone Year/Month: Pramaadhi/Vaikasi Birth Star: Visakham Amsam: Viswaksenar (Commander of Army) 12). MADHURAKAVI AZHWAR 9th Century AD Thirukollur Other Names: Inkaviyaar, Azhwaarukku Adiyaan Year/Month: Eeswara / Chittirai Birth Star: Chittirai Amsam: Vainatheya (Garuda) DIVYA DESHAM are temples where Azhwars worshipped Lord Vishnu, as the presiding deity. Their divine hymns are popularly known as Nalayira Divya Prabantham. The Divya Prabandham is in the form of adoration of the deities of 108 temples (Divya Desams). The verses in simple Tamil explain what the Vedas, Upanishads and Vyasa's Brahmasutras say. It was the scholar-saint Nathamuni who, in the 10th century, retrieved and compiled this bhakti treasure, which is the pride of Tamil classical literature. The Sri Vaishnava guru parampara (inheritance order of the preceptors) is held to commence from Lord Sri Narayana himself, and to centre, rightly so, around Sri Nathamuni and his grandson Sri Yamunacharya. The Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam is classified as under: Mudal Aayiram or First Thousand contains 947 songs. It includes: Periyaazhwar Thirumozhi (473 songs) of Periazhwar, including Thiru Pallaandu. Tiruppaavai by Andal (30 songs) Naachiyaar Thirumozhi by Andal (143 Songs) Perumaal Thirumozhi by Kulasekhara Azhwar (105 songs) Thiruchanda Virutham by Tirumazhisai Azhwar (120 songs) Tirumaalai by Thondaradi Podiazhwar (45 songs) Tiruppalli Ezuchi by Thondaradi Podiazhwar (10 songs) Amalaanathi Piraan by Thirupaanazhwar (10 songs) Kanninum Siru Thaambu by Madhurakavi Azhwar (11 songs) Periya Thirumozhi or Greater Hyms contains 1134 songs, all sung by Thirumangai Azhwar. It is divided into Periya Thirumozhi (1084 songs), Thiru Kurun Thaandagam (20 songs) and Thiru Nedun Thaandagam (30 songs). ThiruvaaiMozhi or Divine Hyms were sung by Nammazhwar and faithfully written down by his disciple Madhurakavi Azhwar. It contains 1102 songs. Iyerpaa is the last division in the Divya Prabandam and contains the following: Mudal Thiruvandaadhi by Poigai Azhwar (100 songs) Irandaam Thiruvandaadhi by Bhootath Azhwar (100 songs) Moondraam Thiruvandaadhi by Pey Azhwar (100 songs) Naanmugan Thiruvandaadhi by Thirumazhisai Azhwar (96 songs) Thiru Virutham by Nammazhwar (100 songs) Thiru Vaasiriyam by Nammazhwar (7 songs) Periya Thiru Andaathi by Nammazhwar (87 songs) Thiruvezukootrirukkai by ThirumangaiAzhwar (1 song) Siriya Thirumadal by ThirumangaiAzhwar (40 songs) Periya Thirumadal by ThirumangaiAzhwar (78 songs) The last piece in the collection is Ramanuja Nootranthaathi (108 songs) of Amudhanar, and it was added to the text compiled by Naathamuni.
Vaishnava Agamas The Agamas are texts derived from various concepts in the Vedas dealing with worship. The Agamas describe in detail the various forms of God, the methods of temple worship, home worship, fire sacrifices offerings and other related ideas. The Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya accepts two Agamas only as authoritative and non-conflicting with Vedas. They are: Pancharatra Agama & Vaikhanasa Agama Of the two Pancharatra is the pradhana or main source of authority for the Sri Vaishnavas. Vaikhanasa Agama is highly utilized for temple worship only and is restricted to a certain group of Vedic priests. Vishnu is the Supreme Lord in the Pancharatra Agamas. The Vaishnavas regard the Pancharatra Agamas to be the most authoritative. They believe that Lord Vishnu Himself revealed these Agamas. The Asura Madhukaitaba seized the Vedas from Lord Brahma and hid himself into the sea. Lord Vishnu took the Matsyavathara fought with the Asura within the sea, killed him and got back the Vedas and restored them to Brahma. It took 5 days for the Lord for this purpose. Without the Vedas, the world became dark, not knowing how to worship the Lord. So Lord Vishnu divided Himself into two, one as Guru or teacher and the other as Sishya or disciple. The guru taught the disciple the methods of worshipping God for five nights. Hence the teaching was called Pancharatra or work of the five nights. They are all about the methods of worship. Like the Pancharathra Samhitas, there is another kind of Samhitas called the Vaikhanasa Samhithas, prescribing the methods of worship in temples. They were taught to Sage Vikasana by MahaVishnu and through him to the Sage's descendants. There is not much of a difference between the two, except chanting of some different manthras during the worship.. Pancharatra is more universal and used extensively by the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas to propagate worship of Vishnu among the masses. DIVYA DESHAMS Chola Naattu Tirupathigal (40) NEAR TRICHY 1. KOYIL - Thiruvarangam (Srirangam) 2. Tirukkozhi (Urayur) 3. Tirukarambanur (Uttamar Koil) 4. Tiruvellarai 5. Tiruvanbil 6. Tirupper nagar (Koviladi Appakkudathan) NEAR Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladudurai 7. Tirukkandiyur 8. Tirukkoodaloor (Aaduthurai Perumal Koyil) 9. Kapisthalam – ( Krishnaranya Kshetram) 10. Tiruppullambhootangudi 11. Tiru Aadanoor 12. Tiru Kudandai (Kumbakonam - Bhaskara Kshetram) 13. Thiruvinnagar (Uppiliappan Koyil - Markandeya Kshetram) 14. Tirunaraiyur (Naachiyaar Koyil) 15. Tirucherai (Pancha Sara Kshetram) 16. Tirukkannamangai (Krishna Mangala Kshetram) 17. Tiru Kannapuram 18. Tirukannankudi (Krishnaaranya Kshetram) 19. Tiru Naagai (Nagappattinam) 20. Tanjai Maamanikkoyil 21. Tirunandipura Vinnagaram (Dakshina Jagannatham) 22. Tiruvelliyankudi 23. Tiruvazhundur 24. Tiruchirupuliyur 25. Talaichchanga Naanmadiyam (Talaisangaadu) 26. Tiru Indhallur NEAR Mayiladudurai, Chidambaram 27. Tirunangur (Tirukavalampaadi) 28. Tirukazhicheerama Vinnagaram (Sirkazhi) 29. Tiru Arimeya Vinnagaram 30. Tiruvanpurushottamam 31. Tirusemponsei Koyil 32. Tiru Manimaada koyil 33. Tiru Vaikuntha Vinnagaram 34. Tiruvaali and Tirunagari 35. Tiru Devanaar Togai 36. Tiruttetriambalam 37. Tirumanikkoodam 38. Tiruvellakkulam 39. Tiruppaartanpalli 40. Tiruchitrakootam (Chidambaram) Nadu Naattu Tirupathigal (2) NEAR : Cuddaloor 41. Tiruvahindrapuram 42. Tirukkovilur Thondai Naattu Tirupathigal (22) NEAR Kanchipuram 43. Tirukachchi – (Hasthigiri) 44. Ashtabhujakaram 45. Tiruttankaa - Tooppul 46. Tiruvellukai 47. Tiruneeragam 48. Tirupaadakam 49. Tirunilaathingal Tundam 50. Tiru Ooragam 51. Tiruvegka 52. Tirukkarakam 53. Tirukaarvanam 54. Tirukkalvanoor 55. Tiruppavalavannam 56. Parameswara Vinnagaram 57. Tiruputkuzhi NEAR: Chennai 58. Tirunindravur 59. Tiruvallur (Thiru Evvullur) 60. Tiruvallikkeni 61. Tiruneermalai 62. Tiruvidandai 63. Tirukadalmallai(Mahabalipuram) 64. Tirukkadigai (Sholangipuram) Vada Naattu Tirupathigal (11) - Andhra Pradesh / UP / Gujarat / Nepal 65. Tiruayoddhi (Ayodhya - U.P.) 66. Tiru Naimisaranyam (U.P.) 67. Tiruppirudi (Nanda Prayag – U.P) 68. Tirukkandam (Deva Prayag – U.P) 69. Tiruvadariyasramam (Badrinath – U.P) 70. Tiruchalagramam (Salagramam- Nepal) 71. Tiruvadamadurai – (Mathura U.P.) 72. Tiruvaipadi (Gokulam - U.P.) 73. Tiru Dwarakai (Dwaraka - Gujarat) 74. Singavelkunram (Ahobilam - A.P.) 75. Tiruvenkatam (Tirumala/Tirupathi - A.P.) Malai Naattu Tirupathigal (13) NEAR: Trivandrum, Kanyakumari 76. Tirunaavaya (Tirunaavai) 77. Tiruvithuvakodu 78. Tirukkakkarai (Tirukatkarai) 79. Tirumoozhikkalam 80. Tiruvallavazh (Thiruvalla) 81. Tirukodittanam 82. Tiruchengannur 83. Thiruppuliyur (Kuttanadu) 84. Thiruvaaranvilai (Aaranmula) 85. Tiruvanvandur (Tiruvanvandoor) 86. Tiruvananthapuram 87. Tiruvattaaru 88. Thiruvanparisaram Pandiya Naattu Tirupathigal (18) NEAR Tirunelveli 89. Tirukkurungudi 90. Tiruchireevaramangai (Vanamamalai) 91. Tiru Vaikuntam (Srivaikuntam) 92. Tiruvaragunamangai (Nattham) 93. Tiruppulinkudi 94. Thirutholaivillimangalam (Irattai Tirupathi) 95. Tirukkulandai (Perunkulam) 96. Tirukkolur 97. Tirupperai 98. Tirukkurugur (Azhwar Tirunagari) 99. Tiruvilliputtur (Srivilliputhur) NEAR Madurai 100. Tirutthangal 101. Tirukoodal 102. Tirumaaliruncholai 103. Tirumogur 104. Tirukkottiyur 105. Tirupullani 106. Tirumayam Vinnulagam (Celestial) (2) 107. Tiruppaarkadal (Sheerasagaram) 108. Tiru Paramapadham (Vaikuntam)