Paramapadam

Paramapadam

The ultimate among 108 Divya Desams — Paramapadam is literally Vaikuntha itself, Vishnu's eternal abode. Alvars sang of journeying here after liberation. The final goal of Sri Vaishnava pilgrimage theology.

Divya Desam canonical status

One of the 108 Divya Desams — temples sung in the Nālāyira Divya Prabandham (the "Four-Thousand Divine Hymns") by the 12 Alvars (6th–9th c. CE). The 108 Divya Desams include 106 earthly sites, plus 2 extra-cosmic realms (Paramapadam = Vaikuntha, and Tirupparkadal = the Milk-Ocean). Each Divya Desam has a Moolavar (sanctum deity), Utsavar (processional image), and a specific Alvar-mangalāśāsana dedication.