Tamilnadu Tourism: Uppiliappan Temple, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur

Uppiliappan Temple, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur

Uppiliappan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Tirunageswaram Village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam Town in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Thiruvinnagar and follows Dravidian style of architecture. Vishnu is worshiped as Uppiliappan and his consort Lakshmi as Bhumi Devi. The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity and to have been initiated by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8^th century AD, with later contributions at different times from Thanjavur Nayaks.

As the Lord agreed to eat food without salt, he came to be called Uppiliappan (Lord without the salt). This is the only Divya Desam where food is served to the Lord without salt. This temple has reputation of being the birth place – Avatara Sthala of Mother Bhumidevi. Vishnu of this Temple had a separate Suprabatham like Thirupathi Venkatachalapathi. It is one of the well-known and well visited Divya Desam temples and is considered to be a Prarthana Sthalam.

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandha, the 7th – 9th century Vaishnava canon, by Pey Azhwar, Poigai Azhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar and Nammazhvar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, the 108 Vishnu temples that are revered in the Vaishnava canon. The temple is counted as the 14^th in the list of Divyadesams in Chola Nadu and 83^rd in the overall list. The temple is considered as one of the nine Vaishnava Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and associated with the planet Saturn (Sani). The Temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endownment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/uppiliappan-temple-thirunageshwaram_19.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/uppiliappan-temple-thirunageshwaram_49.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/uppiliappan-temple-thirunageshwaram_55.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. and 04.00 a.m. to 09.00 p.m.

Pooja Timings

Pooja	Timings
Viswaroopa Dharisanam	6.00 A.m.
Thiruppavai	7.30 A.m.
Thiruvaradhanam Nithiyapadi Pooja	8.30 A.m.
Uchi Kaala Pooja	12.00 P.m.
Nithyanu Santhanam	7.30 p.m.
Thiruvaradhanam Nithyapadi Pooja	8.30 p.m.
Arthajama Pooja	9.00 p.m.

Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/uppiliappan-temple-thirunageshwaram_20.html

Religious Practices

The temple follows Vaikasana Agama and follows Vadagalai practises. During the Viswaroopa Seva, the first worship, Suprapada Prabarthi Mangalam, a verse exclusively dedicated to Uppiliappan is relayed. Thiruvembavai is relayed after it, followed by naivedhana in all shrines. Uchikalam is the last worship during the day time and happens at noon. During the evening, mutharkalam is the first worship sequence, recitals in Veda and Nithsuasandamam. Arthajama is the last puja of the day.

Religious Significance

The temple is considered as one of the nine Vaishnava Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state. This Temple is associated with the planet Saturn (Sani). The planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the course of life. Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes.

The Navagrahas, as per Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad effects for any individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers. As in other Navagraha temples, the common worship practices of the devotees include offering of cloth, grains, flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity. Lighting a set of lamps is also commonly followed in the temple. As per belief, the energies distributed cyclically by Navagrahas can be channeled based on remedial measures.

Vaishnava Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu are;

1. Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur (Suryan / Sun)

2. Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram Temple, Nathan Kovil, Thanjavur (Chandran / Moon)

3. Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple, Nachiyar Koil, Thanjavur (Chevvai / Mars)

4. Valvil Rama Temple, Thirupullabhoothangudi, Thanjavur (Budhan / Mercury)

5. Andalukkum Aiyan Temple, Adhanur, Thanjavur (Guru / Jupiter)

6. Kolavilli Ramar Temple, Tiruvelliyangudi, Thanjavur (Sukran / Venus)

7. Uppiliappan Temple, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur (Sani / Saturn)

8. Gajendra Varadha Temple, Thirukkavithalam, Papanasam, Thanjavur (Rahu / North Node)

9. Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple, Thirukkoodaloor, Thanjavur (Kethu / South Node)

10. Saranathan Temple, Thirucherai, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur (Mandhi / Kuligan)

Literary Mention