Srirangam temple is often listed as the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, the still larger Angkor Wat being the largest existing temple. Srirangam, Trichy district Tamil Nadu 10.8625°N 78.6897°W The last two are believed to be outside earthly realms. The 106 earthly Divya Desam temples are spread over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Uttar Pradesh (4), Uttarakhand (3), Andhra Pradesh (2) and Gujarat (1), and Country of Nepal (1) ( Muktinath). Each of these Temples had separate shrines for Maha Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi. Each of the Divya Desam has its own significance related to Shri Vaishnava legend. In Hindu texts, these temples are often referred to as Bhooloka Vaikuntam, which in Tamil means Heaven on earth. The songs of Prabandam are regularly sung in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.
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Poigai is considered an incarnation of Panchajanya (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of Kaumodakee (Vishnu's Mace/Club), Pey of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshanam (Vishnu's discus), Namm of Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of Vainatheya (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of Kaustubha (Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of Vanamaalai (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of Srivatsa (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of Sarangam (Krishna's bow). According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. According to tradition, Tirumazhisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar were from brahmin community, Kulasekhara from Kshatria community, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupanalvar from panar /farmer-weaver community and Tirumangai from kalvar community.ĭivya Suri Saritra by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), Guruparamparaprabhavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jeeyar, Periya tiru mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokam Jeeyar, commentaries on Divya Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the azhwars and their works. As per tradition, the first three azhwars(mudhal azhwargal), Poigai, Bhuthathalvar, Peyalvar ans Andal were said to be born out of divinity. The saints had different origins and belonged to different castes. The religious works of these saints in Tamil, songs of love and devotion, are compiled as Nalayira Divya Prabandham containing 4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified as Divya desam. Azhwars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism during the 5th-8th centuries CE. The word azhwar in Tamil, means one who immerses oneself into the ocean of the countless attributes of god. In Divya desam, Divya means "premium" or "divine" and Desam indicates "place" (temple). Divya Desams follow Thenkalai or Vadakalai modes of worship. The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Alvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Muktinath, Saligramam is the only Divya Desam in Nepal. In India, they are spread over states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), Uttarakhand (3).
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Of the 108 temples, 105 are in India, one is in Nepal, and the last two are believed to be outside the Earthly realms. ”Divya” means “divine” and “Desam” indicates “place of abode” (temple). A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Alvars (saints).