Oppiliappan Temple

Uppiliappan Koil is a charming village situated near Kumbakonam in the Tamil Nadu region of India. This village is home to a prominent Vishnu temple known as Oppiliappan Temple, marking the 13th Divya Desam temple within the Chola region. In this article, we will delve into the details of this sacred temple.

Highlights:

• Tirumangai Alwar, Nammalwar and Peyalwar have composed hymns about this site in their verses.
• Notably, prasad offered within this temple is devoid of salt.
• Oppiliappan temple is also called as Tiru Vinnagaram
• It is considered as the 13th Divya Desam temple. It is located in the Chola region.
• God - Oppiliappan or Uppiliappan; Utsava deity - Ponnappan
• Goddess - Bhoomi Devi
• Teerth (holy water) - Ahotra Pushkarani
• Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Patali
• Vimana - Suddhananda Vimana

Legend:

Bhoomi Devi

Bhoomi Devi was reborn as the daughter of Markandeya Rishi in this very location. Lord Vishnu, in the guise of an old man, sought her hand in marriage. The Rishi, to dissuade the old man, informed him that his daughter was inexperienced in household chores and often forgot to add salt to her cooking. When the old man revealed his true identity as Vishnu, he married Bhoomi Devi. This legend is reflected in the absence of salt in the temple's prasad, and it is from this tradition that the deity is known as Uppiliappan, with "uppu" meaning salt in Tamil, signifying the Lord who does not partake in food.

An alternate version of the legend tells of Tulsi, who wished to adorn Lord Vishnu's chest like Goddess Lakshmi. Following Vishnu's advice, Tulsi transformed into a plant and grew in Tiru Vinnagaram. Markandeya Rishi's penance led to the birth of Lakshmi as Bhoomi Devi, who was found as a child beneath the Tulsi plant near the Pushkarani. Bhoomi Devi was then married to Lord Vishnu, and thus, Tulsi became a sacred plant with the privilege of adorning Vishnu's chest.

Brahmotsava

To commemorate Vishnu's wedding, Brahma conducted a nine-day grand festival known as Brahmotsava.

Pushkarani

In another legend, a learned Brahmin named Devasarma had an inappropriate encounter with Jaimini Rishi's daughter. Cursed to become a Krauncha bird by the sage, Devasarma sought the sage's forgiveness. Jaimini Rishi instructed him to dwell on a tree branch and break the branch slowly, allowing the bird to fall into the Pushkarani's waters. As the bird descended into the Pushkarani one night, Vishnu's emissaries guided Devasarma to Vaikuntha. However, Varuna raised an objection, stating that bathing in holy waters during the night was forbidden and thus Devasarma had sinned once again. The messenger from Vaikuntha clarified that bathing was permitted both day and night in this specific Pushkarani, leading to its name "Ahoratra Pushkarani," signifying a holy tank available for use at all hours.

Shiva and Indra

Other versions of the legend suggest that Shiva had removed the fifth head of Brahma. To atone for this act, Shiva took a purifying bath in the Ahoratra Pushkarani and continued to perform penance towards Vishnu.

Several tanks once surrounded the temple, where Surya, Indra, and Brahma bathed. These were named Surya Teerth, Indra Teerth, and Brahma Teerth but are no longer extant.

History:

The temple was constructed during the Chola dynasty, and inscriptions dating back to the reign of Rajendra Chola I are found within the temple premises.

Temple Layout:

The east-facing temple boasts a five-tiered Raja gopuram (tower) and is renowned for its expansive size. The sanctum faces the east and houses the colossal 8-foot-tall icon of Oppiliappan, with Bhoomi Devi kneeling at his right side. Markandeya Rishi, Bhoomi Devi's father, is also depicted within the sanctum.

The Utsava deity, Ponnappan, is found within the sanctum alongside Bhoo Devi. The temple also features a flagstaff, bali peetha, and a shrine dedicated to Garuda, all facing the main sanctum.

The prakara houses various sub-shrines dedicated to Alwars, Desikar, Anjaneya, Krishna, Ram-Sita-Lakshman, Maniappan along with his consorts, and Ennappan. The birthplace of Bhoomi Devi is located near the sub-shrine of Ennappan.

In the past, in addition to Ahoratra Pushkarani, the temple was surrounded by other tanks named Saranga Teerth, Surya Teerth, Indra Teerth, and Brahma Teerth, though these no longer exist.

This temple is one of only two temples, along with Srirangam temple, where two holy pillars within the Ardha mandap are believed to grant salvation to devotees.

The vast temple complex includes various mandaps, many of which feature exquisite pillars adorned with sculptures. The holy Pushkarani is located near the outer prakara.

Happy travelling.