Srilliviputtur
Historical background
The importance of the place, sthala, is an important feature of Tamil culture. The association of determinate sites with specific deities and mythic events laid the ground for the later development of devotional poetry.
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The expression “singing of a place” refers to the impassioned verses of the poet-saints, the Shaiva nayanmars and their Vaishnava counterpart, the alvars (7th to 9th cent.), who wandered through the Tamil land singing the praise of an aspect of either Shiva or Vishnu worshipped at a specific place.
Most of the sites celebrated by these poets survive to this day, and shrines still exist in the locations ascribed to them in the songs. From c the 14th century onwards, along with the hymns of the poet-saints, the narratives of the sthalapuranas, the legends connected with a specific site/temple, became an important part of Tamil religious and literary culture. This efflorescence of sacred literature inspired the artists and the visual rendering of individual shrines and murtis (images) became one of the main themes of South Indian painting.
The 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams are the 108 Vishnu temples, sung in the hymns of the alvars. The majority of them are in today’s Tamil Nadu. Outside the Tamil region, Kerala hosts the highest numbers of them. Some are in Andhra Pradesh and further afield in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand. Two are beyond the earthly realm: Tiruparkkadal, the Ocean of Milk, and Vaikuntha, Vishnu’s abode.
The 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams have been a popular theme from the 16th– 17th century onwards. Murals depicting all of them are still extant, albeit in a parlous state, in some temples e.g. the Varadarajaswamy temple at Kanchipuram, the Kallapiran temple at Srivaikuntham, and the Adinathaswamy at Alvar Tirunagari, the last two mentioned are both in Tirunelveli dst. This tradition is still alive today: contemporary versions of the divyadeshams adorn the walls of the prakara of Vaishnava temples, such as the Kudal Alagar temple in Madurai and the Andal temple in Srivilliputtur. In each vignette, the temple, the mula murti (fixed image enshrined in the temple’s sanctuary) and/or utsava murti (processional image) as well as the personalities mentioned in the pertinent sthalapurana are identified by labels. This arrangement enables the devotee to make a virtual pilgrimage and pay homage to all the various aspects of Vishnu revered in all the 108 divyadeshams, by visiting only one of them.
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Appakkudatan of Tiruppernagar (Koiladi) reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Appakkudatan’s navel. In the foreground Kamalavalli Thayar and, to the extreme left, a lady with a pot of appams. In the background king Uparisarvasu and Markandeya (?); 2) Sri Narasimha Perumal of Tanjaiyali Nagar (Thanjai Yali Koyil) seated with his consort, Thanjai Nayaki, on his left thigh flanked by Markandeya on the left, and Prahlada on the right. 3) Sri Aransapamtirtha Perumal of Tirukkandiyur, standing flanked by Kamalavalli Nacchiyar and Agastya (?) on the left, and Shiva on the right.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Vayamkatatta Perumal of Tirukkudalur standing flanked by Ramanivalli Nacchiyar on the left, another consort and an ascetic on the right; 2) Sri Gajendravaradan of Kapisthalam reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Gajendravaradan’s navel. In the foreground, from left: the goddess; Gajendra being saved from the crocodile by Vishnu; the Gajendra pushkarini (tank), and Hanuman standing at the feet of the god; 3) Sri Kolavilli Raman of Tirupullam Buthamkudi (Pullam Bhuthamkudi) reclining on Shesha. In the foreground are his consort, Pottramariyal Thayar, the Vayu tirtham tank, and the vulture Jatayu. Standing on the right are Pey alvar and Rama.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Andalakkum Aiyan of Tiru Adanur reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Andalakkum’s Aiyan’s navel; In the foreground are: Ranga Nacchiyar, Kamadhenu and Kaliyan (Tirumangai alvar). 2) Sri Aravamutan (Sarangapani) of Tirukkudandai (Kumbakonam), reclining on Shesha in his chariot-shaped sanctuary. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Aravamutan’s navel. On the left is Hema maharishi (Bhrigu Maharishi) and on the right, Tirumalisai alvar. In the top left corner is the shrine of Komalavalli Thayar. 3) Sri Uppiliyappan of Tirunagesvara/Tiruvinnagaram (Uppiliyappan Koyil), standing and, on the left, Bhu Devi. On the right: Garuda; Markandeya maharishi and two goddesses.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Aravamutan (Sarangapani) of Tirukkudandai (Kumbakonam), reclining on Shesha in his chariot-shaped sanctuary. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Aravamuthan’s navell. On the left is Hema maharishi (Bhrigu Maharishi) and on the right, Tirumalisai alvar. In the top left corner is the shrine of Komalavalli Thayar. 2) Sri Uppiliyappan of Tirunagesvara/Tiruvinnagaram (Uppiliappan Koyil) standing and, on the left, Bhu Devi in her shrine. On the right: Garuda; Markandeya maharishi and two goddesses.
Location: Tamil Nadu Monuments;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: Tableau depicting the images of Sri Andal, Rangamannar, and Garudalvar as seen in the innermost sanctuary of the temple.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Nampi of Kaliyan Tirunaiyur (Nacchiyarkoyil) standing. On the left are Tirumangai alvar and Medhavi rishi. 2) Sri Saranathan of Tirucherai standing flanked by his consorts; 3) Sri Uyyavanta Perumal (Vinnagara Perumal) of Tiru Nandipura Vinnagaram, seated flanked by his consorts. On the left is Nandi and on the right, Sibi chakravarti. In the upper left corner, the shrine of Shanbagavalli Thayar and in the upper right corner, the Nandi pushkarini (tank).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Valvil Raman (Kolavili Raman) of Tiruvelliyankudi reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Valvil Rama’s navel. In the foreground, from left are: Sukracharya, Garuda and Periyavachan Pillai standing. Behind the deity are Parasara maharishi (?) and Bali (?). In the left top corner: Sri Markatavalli Nacchiyar, and in the right hand corner the Amirma tirtham. 2) Sri Amaruviyappan of Therlandur (Thiruvalundur) standing flanked by Chengamalavalli Nacchiyar and King Parisavasu (Uparisavasu) on the left and, on the right, by an ascetic (?), Kaveri Amman, Dharmadevata and Kamban. 3) Sri Parimalaranganatha (Parimala Rangarajan) of Tiru Indalur reclining on Shesha, with Chandra at his feet. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Parimala Rangarajan’s navel. In the foreground, Pundarikavalli Thayar (?).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Arulmakadal of Sirupuliyur, reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Arulmakadal’s navel. In the foreground, his consort,Thirumamangal Nacchiyar, and at his feet, Vyaghrapada and Kalvar munis; 2) Sri Selariraja Perumal (Sowriraja Perumal) of Tirukkannapuram standing and, from left: Vibhishana alvar, Tirumangai alvar(?), the deity’s consorts Padmini(?) and Tiru Kannapura, an araiyar (singer), and Kanva maharishi. In the top left and right corners , the goddess shrine and the temple tank 3) Sri Bagtaravi Perumal (Bhaktavatsala Perumal) of Tirukkannamangai standing. He is flanked on the left by Abhishekavalli Nacchiyar and by a rishi, Markandeya (?) and by Varuna, on the right.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishvana divyadeshams. 1) Sri Syamalameni Perumal of Tirukkannangudi, standing. On the left are: Aravindavalli Nacchiyar and Yaruguna (?) Satiyar, on the right: Kelatamar (?); 2) Sri Selantararajaperumal (Sundararaja Perumal) of Tirunagai (Nagapattinam) standing, on the left are Selantaravalli (Sundaryavalli) Thayar and Shesha, on the right Tirumangai alvar; 3) Sri Vayalali Manavalan, of Tiruvali/Tirunagari seated flanked by his consorts, on the left, Nikanjaprajapati. In the upper left corner is Amritaghatavalli Nacchiyar and in the right corner: deities worshipping Vishnu during the Vedupari festival and Ahatani pushkarini (tank).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams; 1) Sri Vayalali Manavalan, of Tiruvali/Tirunagari seated flanked by his consorts, on the left, Nikanjaprajapati. In the upper left corner is Amritaghatavalli Nacchiyar and in the right corner the gods worship Vishnu during the Vedupari festival and the Ahatani pushkarini (tank). 2) Sri Alagiyasingar (?) of Tirunagari/Tiruvali, standing flanked by his consorts, on the right a rishi (?); 3) Tirumangai alvar, his consort Kumudavalli and his followers (part of the Tirunagari/Tiruvali legend).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, north corner
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Narayanan (Nara Narayanan), of Tirunganur (Thirumanimadakkoil) seated. On the left Mahadeva and further ten forms of Shiva. Top left corner, Pundarikavalli Nacchiyar and, on the right, rhe Indra Pushkarini; 2) Sri Kudamadukutar of Tirunganur (Arimeya Vinnagaram), seated. On the left stands Uthanga maharishi. In the top left corner is Alakukatavalli Nacchiyar, and in the right hand corner, the Koti tirtham.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Perulalar of Tiruchemponsey Koyil (Tirunagur), standing, flanked by his consort and by Kailasapati (Shiva). 2) Sri Senganmal of Tiruttetriambalam (Tirunagur) reclining on Shesha with Sengalamalli Nacchiyar standing at his feet. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Senganmal’s navel; On the right, the serpent Shesha. The inscription at the bottom mentions the Surya pushkarini (tank). 3) Sri Naranarayanan of Tiruvellakkulam standing, flanked by Kumudavalli Nacchiyar and Sveta Raja on the left, and Umapati (Shiva) on the right. In the top left hand corner, Puar Tirumangai Nacchiyar in her shrine.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Purushottama of Tiruvanpurudottam (Tirunganur) standing flanked by Purushottama Nacchiyar and an ascetic. 2) Sri Manikkudam Nayakan of Tirumanikkudam (Thirunganur) standing flanked by Tirumamakal Nacchiyar and Chandra, on the left, and Vaidyanathan on the right. The inscription mentions the Chandra pushkarini (tank). 3) Sri Vaikuntha Perumal of Tiruvaikunta Vinnagaram (Thirunangur) seated on the coils of the serpent Shesha, with his three consorts. In the foreground, from left are: Utanka maharishi, Vishnu ratham (Garuda), Uparishravas chakravarti. 4)Sri Madava Perumal of Tiruttokai (Tiruttevanarthogai, Tirunganur) standing. On the left is the consort goddess. On the right are Arundhati Amman and Brahma putiram. The inscription mentions the Sobhana pushkarini (tank).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Tamaraiyal Kelvan of Tiruparthanapalli (Tirunganur), standing flanked on the left, by Sri Tamarai Nayaki. Behind her two youths, perhaps Arjuna and Krishna (?). On the right are the eleven Rudras. The inscription mentions the Sanka (Ganga) pushkarini (tank). 2) Sri Kannan, of Tirukkavalambadi (Tirunganur) seated beneath a tree playing the flute surrounded by Satyabhama, Narada, Shiva and Vishnu.The inscription mentions the Tadamalar poikai (tank). 3) Sri Nanmadiya Perumal of Tirutachankananmatiyam (Talaichanga Nanmadiyum, Talaichangadu) standing. On the left Talaichanga Nacchiyar. On the right the Nitya Suris (?), Chandra and his vehicle the gazelle. The inscription mentions the Indu Pushkarini.
3) Sri Tadalan, of Siramavinnakaram (Sirkazhi) standing, flanked by Sri Mattavitangulul (Mattavilum) Nacchiyar,Thavituppanai Ammaiyar on the left, and Ashtakona maharishi on the right.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Govindaraja of Tiruchitrakutam (Chidambaram) reclining on Shesha with his consorts at his feet. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Govindaraja’s navel. In the foreground is Sri Pundarikavalli Nacchiyar, and from left: Kanva maharishi, Patanjali, one of the three-thousand (Brahmins), Nandi playing the mridanga and Panini. On the right: Nataraja and behind him the Tillai forest. The Pundarika pushkarini (tank), mentioned in the inscription, is shown in the right top corner. 2) Sri Deivanayakan (Devanathaswamy) of Tiruvahindrapuram, standing. On the left are Vaikunthanayaki, and Chandra; on the right Kotrapati (?) and a winged figure.The inscription mentions the Garuda Nadi tank. In the left upper corner is the hill with its 74 steps enshrining Lakshmi and Hayagriva, on the right, the Shesha tirtham. 3) Sri Trivikraman of Tirukkovalur (Tirukkoilur), standing. Brahma lustrates his raised right foot. On the left, from top to bottom are: Mrikandu rishi and a couple. In the foreground: Pungovil (Pushpavalli) Nacchiyar, Prahlada, King Mahabali at the feet of Vishnu, Namuchi, Sukracharya, Durga. On the right are: three alvars Poigai, Butha and Pey, and Shesha. The inscription mentions the Krishna tirtham. 4) Sonnavannam Saida Perumal of Tiruvehka (Kanchipuram) reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from Sonnavannam Saida Perumal’s navel. In the foreground, from left are: the consort goddess, Sarasvati, Kannikannan, and standing at the feet of the reclinig god,Tirumalisai alvar and a rishi. The Poikai pushkarini (tank) is mentioned in the inscription.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Adikesava Perumal of Sri Attabhuyakaram (Kanchipuram) standing. In the foreground, the consort goddess , and on the right, Gajendra and Garuda. 2) Sri Narahari Perumal (Yoga Narasimha) of Tiruvelukkai (Kanchipuram), flanked by Bhrigu maharishi on the left, Prahlada on the right and Velukkaivalli Nacchiyar in the foreground. 3) Sri Battaravi Perumal (Dipaprakasar) of Tiruttanka (Kanchipuram), standing, flanked on the left by Sarasvati and Sri Markatavalli Nacchiyar, and, on the right, by Vedantacharya (Vedanta Desika). 4) Sri Pandavardudan (Pandava Dudan) of Tiruppadakam (Kanchipuram) seated, flanked by King Janaka (?) and the consort goddess on the left and Haritha muni (?) on the right.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Karunakara Perumal, of Tirunilatingal Tundam (Kanchipuram) standing flanked on the left by his consort, and on the right by Ardhanarishvara. The inscription mentions the Chandra pushkarini (tank). 2) Sri Palavannan of Tiru Palavannan (Kanchipuram) seated on Shesha, flanked on the left by Parvati, standing, and Palavavalli Nacchiyar in her shrine and, on the right, by the Ashvins. The inscription mentions the Chakra tirtha. 2) Sri Ulagalanda Perumal of Tiru Uragam (Kanchipuram) standing. His left foot is lustrated by Brahma. He is flanked on the left by Shesha and Sri Amudavalli Nacchiyar, and by Sukra, Bali chakravarti and Shiva, on the right. 3) Sri Karunakara Perumal of Tiruvachakam (Thirukarakam, Kanchipuram) standing, flanked by Sri Padmamani Nacchiyar on the left, and by Karmegan (? Garga) rishi on the right.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Jagdisha Perumal of Tiruniragam (Kanchipuram) standing, flanked by Sri Nilamangaivalli Nacchiyar on the left and Akrura mahamuni on the right. The inscription mentions the Akrura tirtham. 2) Sri Kalvar of Tirukkarvanam (Kanchipuram) standing flanked by his consort on the left, and Parvati on the right. 3) Sri Kannan of Tirukkalvanur (Kanchipuram) standing carrying butter balls in his hands. On the left: Vatapatrashayi, and the consort goddess; On the right, Vishnu; 4) Sridevi, Paramapadanatan Vishnu, Bhudevi, Nila Devi and Sri Villi chakravarti.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Vijayaraghava, of Tiruputkuli, seated flanked on the left by Markatavalli Nacchiyar, and by Garudarajan, on the right. 2) Sri Nityakalyana of Tiruvidavendadai (Tiruvendadai) standing, flanked by Komalavalli Nacchiyar on the left, and by Markandeya on the right. 3) Sri Sthalashayana Perumal of Tirukadalmallai (Mamallapuram) reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Sthalashayana Perumal’s navel. In the top left corner is Pundarikavalli Nacchiyar, two consorts sit behind the god, and Butha alvar stands at his feet.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
Date: Paintings, late 20th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. 1) Sri Stalashayana Perumal of Tirukadalmallai (Mamallapuram) reclining on Shesha. Brahma emerges from the lotus issuing from Sthalashayana Perumal’s navel. In the top left corner is Pundarikavalli Nacchiyar; Two consorts sit behind the god and Butha alvar stands at his feet. 2) Sri Nirvannan of Tirunirmalai (Malai Adivara Koyil) standing flanked by Sri Animamalarmangai Nacchiyar on the left and Valmiki maharishi on the right. The inscription mentions the Sva pushkarini (tank) i.e. the Svarna pushkarini; 3)Tirunirmalai (Malai Mel Koyil). Top row: Sri Ranganatha, Sri Trivikrama; Bottom row: Yoga Narasimha flanked by Prahlada; Sri Chakravarti Tirumahan flanked by Sita, Hanuman and Lakshmana.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Andal Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall
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