Thiruvinnagar Divya Desam - Oppiliappan Perumal Temple

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Oppiliappan Perumal and Sri Bhoomi Devi (Bhoomi Nachiyar Thayar) in Thiruvinnagar Divya Desam.

• Greatness: Thiruvinnagar is a Divya Desam. It is the 13th Divya Desam and is located in Chola Nadu. The kshetra is known as Thiru Vinnagaram since the Lord came down from his heavenly abode (Vin Ulagam). The kshetra is also known as Markandeya Kshetram since sage Markandeya performed penance here and brought up Devi Lakshmi (named Bhoomi Devi) as his adopted daughter. The kshetra is also known as Tulasi Vanam since sage Markandeya found Devi Lakshmi as a small girl in a Tulasi grove. The kshetra is also known as Then Tirupati since the Perumal here is believed to be the brother of Tirupati Venkateshwara. The kshetra is further known as Vyoma Puri and Bhoolaka Vaikuntham.
- Perumal is in Standing posture facing East.
- Pratyaksham: Markandeyar, Periya Thiruvadi (Garudar), Kaveri, Dharmadevata
- Mangalasasanam: Poigai Alvar, Peyalvar, Nammalvar, Thirumangai Alvar (47 Pasurams)
- Vimanam: Vishnu Vimanam, Suddhananda Vimanam
- Pushkarini: Ahoratra Pushkarini, Aarthi Pushkarini

• Puranic Events:

1. Devi Lakshmi & sage Markandeya: Sage Markandeya performed penance here. Devi Lakshmi incarnated as his daughter Bhoomi Devi.
- Events: Sage Markandeya was performing penance in the Tulasi Vanam. Three rivers were flowing towards the south - Dakshina Ganga, Dakshina Yamuna and Dakshina Godavari. Devi Lakshmi incarnated as a small girl under a Tulasi plant. Sage Markandeya discovered her and was attracted by her loveliness. The sage adopted her as a foster-father and named her as Bhoomi Devi as she was found on the ground.
- Note: The Kshetra name is associated with this event. Since Devi Lakshmi incarnated as the adopted daughter of sage Markandeya, the place is known as Markandeya Kshetram. The Thayar name is also associated with this event. Since sage Markandeya found her on the Bhoomi (Ground), he named her as Bhoomi Devi. There is an Image of Bhoomi Devi in the garbhagriha itself. There is no separate shrine of the goddess in this temple. There is also an Image of sage Markandeya in the garbhagriha itself.

2. Lord Vishnu & sage Markandeya: Lord Vishnu appeared here and become the son-in-law of sage Markandeya.
- Events: When Bhoomi Devi grew up, sage Markandeya was keen on getting her married to Lord Vishnu himself. Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of an old brahmin (on Panguni Ekadasi day when Tiruvona Nakshatra was in ascendency) and came to sage Markandeya. He was wearing torn clothes and was holding a stick and a kamandalam. The sage extended his hospitality to the old brahmin. The brahmin soon asked for the hand of his daughter so that she can serve him in his old age. Sage Markandeya was astounded and tried to dissuade him in various ways, even telling that his daughter cannot cook food properly and often forgets to add salt. However, the brahmin was adamant and threatened to end his life if the daughter is not given to him in marriage. Sage Markandeya finally took refuge of Lord Narayana who revealed to him his true form with Shankha and Chakra, and one hand stretched to receive the bride. Sage Markandeya was overwhelmed with joy and requested the Lord to abide there and also confer Moksha to him. He also requested that since the Lord has agreed to take food without salt, the devotees also should relish such food.
- Note: The Kshetra name is associated with this event. Since the Lord came down from his heavenly abode (Vin Ulagam) the place is known as Thiru Vinnagaram. Since Lord Vishnu gave darshan to sage Markandeya and became his son-in-law, the place is known as Markandeya Kshetram. The Perumal name is also associated with this event. Since the Lord accepted to take food without salt, he is known as Oppiliappan (Uppu=Salt; Illa=Not; Appan=Father) and Lavana Varjita Venkatesha (Lavana=Salt; Varjita=Without; Venkatesha=Lord). The prasad of the temple is prepared without salt. The Image of Sri Oppiliappan in the garbhagriha is in standing posture facing East. There is also an Image of sage Markandeya in the garbhagriha itself. Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of an old brahmin on Panguni Ekadasi day when Tiruvona Nakshatra was in ascendency, and gave darshan to sage Markandeya.

3. Lord Vishnu & Devi Lakshmi: Lord Vishnu married Devi Lakshmi in this place. The divine marriage took place on the month of Aippasi when Tiruvona Nakshatra was in ascendency.

4. Lord Vishnu & brahmin Deva Sarma: The Lord relieved brahmin Deva Sarma from his Krauncha bird form due to a curse.
- Events: A brahmin named Deva Sarma who was well versed in the Vedas was cursed by sage Jaimini for misbehaving with his daughter. Deva Sarma became a Krauncha bird (Heron) due to that curse. However, as instructed by sage out of mercy, he went to Markandeya Kshetra and sat on a tree near the temple Pushkarini. A storm broke the branch of the tree and made the bird fall in the temple tank at night. The touch of the holy waters redeemed Deva Sarma from his curse and he went to Vaikuntha. The pushkarini became known as Ahoratra Pushkarini since one can take bath in it either during day or during night.

5. Lord Vishnu & Nammalvar: Lord Vishnu gave vision to Nammalvar in five forms - PonnAppan, MainAppan, MuthAppan, EnnAppan and VinnagarAppan.

• Deities
- Oppiliappan: The Image of Sri Oppiliappan in Standing posture facing East. The Image is around 8 feet in height.
- Bhoomi Devi: The Image of Sri Bhoomi Devi (Bhoomi Nachiyar) in Semi-sitting posture facing North within the garbhagriha of the temple itself. She has no separate shrine within the temple.
- Sage Markandeya: The Image of sage Markandeya in Sitting posture facing South within the garbhagriha of the temple in kanya dana posture.
- Sri Rama: The Image of Sri Rama in a separate shrine.
- Sri Krishna: The Image of Sri Krishna in a separate shrine.
- Sri Vedanta Desika: The Image of Sri Vedanta Desika in a separate shrine.

• Sacred Geography:
- Dakshina Ganga: Ancient river associated with this Kshetram.
- Dakshina Yamuna: Ancient river associated with this Kshetram.
- Dakshina Godavari: Ancient river associated with this Kshetram.
- Ahoratra Teertham: Pushkarini of the temple.

• Location: Thiruvinnagar is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. This is in Chola Nadu. The Temple is located in Thirunageshwaram and can be visited from Kumbakonam (7 km).

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