Historical Period12c CE
9th–12th c. CE
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Deities
Srinivasa-perumal of Nachiyar Koil
Nachiyar Koil — where the goddess takes precedence over the Lord
Nachiyar Koil — where the goddess takes precedence over the Lord
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The 108 Divya Desams are the sacred abodes of Vishnu sung by the 12 Alvar saint-poets. Compiled as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Nathamuni (9th c. CE), this corpus of 4,000 pasurams defines the sacred geography of Tamil Vaishnavism and the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya.
This is the ONLY Divya Desam where the goddess Vanjulavalli-thayar is consecrated BEFORE the Perumal in all temple customs — pilgrims address her first. The Kal-Garuda (5-ft stone Garuda) "grows heavier" as it processes outward, requiring 4, then 8, then 16 bearers.
Daily 5-fold puja; Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Margazhi full moon) is the holiest day — the Paramapada-vasal gate is opened; passing through is said to grant moksha. Annual Brahmotsavam (10 days) features Vishnu on all his vahanas (Garuda, Hanumanta, Shesha, Hamsa, Simha, Ratha).
Each Divya Desam's sanctity rests on how many Alvars sang of it and how many pasurams — this is the mangalashasanam. Tamil Vaishnavism treats the 4,000 pasurams as Dravida Veda — equivalent to the Sanskrit Vedas.
