Srivaikuntham
Historical background
Renowned for its superb architecture and outstanding carvings, the Kallapiran temple at Srivaikuntam (Toothukudi dst., Tamil Nadu) is one of the Nava Tirupati – a group of nine sacred Vaishnava shrines on the banks of the Tamraparni River.
Although the core of the temple probably dates from the Pandya period (6th– 9th centuries), it was redeveloped and greatly expanded in the 16th and 17th centuries by a local Nayaka. It survived the ravages of the war between Virapandya Katta Bomman and the British at the close of the 18th century. The latter used the temple as a fortress and signs of the battle are still seen on the doors of the temple.
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The presiding deity is popularly known as Lord Vaikuntanatha. He is also known as Kallapiran, Lord of Robbers, which refers to the following story. Once upon a time a band of robbers lived in the forest near Srivaikuntam. Their head, Kaladutaka, was known for his piety and devotion to Vishnu. He robbed only the affluent, he used to worship to Vaikuntanatha before setting of on a plundering expedition, and always offered half of his booty to the god.
Once, while his gang was looting the palace, they were caught, Kaladutaka, however, escaped. He meditated on Vishnu and the deity, in the form of an old Brahmin, promised to help him. Vishnu then assumed the form of the robber and went toward the palace. The soldiers, who were looking for him, caught him and took him before the king. Kaladutaka told the king that stealing was his livelihood, at which the king asked him if this was not sinful. Eventually, after a philosophical debate on the nature of wealth, the king realised that the person before him could not be a thief. Vishnu then revealed himself to the king. The king mended his ways and became a benevolent ruler. Hence the deity is called Kallapiran because of his assistance to the robber Kaladutaka.
Inside the innermost corridor skirting the main sanctuary are traces of Nayaka paintings. On the ceiling there were probably scenes drawn from the Bhagavata Purana. Laid out on two rows the 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams adorn its walls. All the divyadeshams are identified by captions in Tamil and Telugu. Both these sets of paintings, which judging from the surviving fragments must have been exquisite, are now in parlous conditions. This part of the temple is now generally locked to the public.
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left; 1) Standing of Vishnu flanked by consorts. 2) Narayana of Tirunavai, blessing Gajendra. On the right, flanked by Malarmangai Nacchiyar, Garuda (?). On the left, the celestial chariot transporting the crocodile, freed from his curse, to Vaikuntha.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) Paramesvara Vinnagam Emperumal (Kanchipuram) seated, flanked by his consorts. 2) Sonnavaram Saida Perumal of Tiruvehka (Kanchipuram) reclining -on the left side- on the serpent Shesha. A lotus, on which Brahma is seated, issues from the deity’s navel. His consorts sit at his feet. 3) ‘Topa…. Perumal’ of Tiruvattiyur standing, note Yoga Narasimha in the foreground.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) Rama and Hanuman worship Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha. 2) Vishnu blesses Gajendra. The crocodile, freed from his curse, ascends to Vaikuntha in a celestial chariot.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) Ulagalanda Perumal of Tirukkovilur. 2) Vishnu standing flanked by consorts. 3) Vishnu standing.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) Krishna, holding butter balls in this hands, flanked by consorts. 2) ‘… purushottama… ‘ emerging from a lotus flower, flanked by consorts. 3) Vishnu standing.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, north west corner, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: Katkaraiappan of Tirukatkarra standing. 2) Tiruvituvakkodu Appan of Tiruvituvakkodu worshipped by king Ambarisha. 3) Adikeshava Perumal of Tiruvattar, reclining on his left side on the serpent Shesha. From the deity’s navel sprouts a lotus on which Brahma is seated. Adikeshava’s consorts sit at his feet. In the foreground, two devotees.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, north west corner, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) Ranganatha of Tiruttertriambalam (Tirunagur) reclining on the serpent Shesha. A lotus issues from the deity’s navel. His consorts sit as this feet. 2)Vishnu seated, flanked by consorts. 3) Vishnu seated flanked by consorts.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall, west corner, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) Pambaneyappan of Tiruvanvanadur standing. 2)Tiruvallappan of Tiruvalla standing. 3) Tirunavayappan of Tirunavai standing, flanked by his consorts.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall, west corner, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1) 2)Vishnu seated flanked by consorts. 3) Vishnu standing flanked by consorts.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. From left: 1)Tiruvallappan of Tiruvalla standing. 2) Tiruvanayappan of Tirunavai, standing flanked by consorts. 3) Imayavaramban of Tiruchenkundrur (Chenganur)standing.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, north wall, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava Divyadeshams. Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Sarangapani of Tirukkodandai (Kumbakonam) reclining on the serpent Shesha in his chariot-shaped shrine drawn by a horse. From the navel of Sarangapani issues a lotus on which is seated Brahma. On the bottom left, the temple tank.
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Rajagopalasvamy of Mannargudi (?).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Lakshmi Adi Varaha Perumal (Nitya Kalyana Perumal) of Tiruvidavendadai (Tiruvandadai).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, bottom row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Unidentified aspect of Vishnu standing flanked by his consorts.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Govindaraja of Tiruchitrakutam (Chidambaram) reclining on the serpent Shesha. A lotus, on which Brahma is seated, emerges from Govindaraja’s navel. One of his consorts sits near his head, the other at his feet. In the foreground: two devotees.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Adi Varaha Perumal of Srimushnam striding.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, top row
Date: 17th century
Description: 108 Srivaishnava divyadeshams. Trivikrama of Sirkali. In the top left corner, Brahma accompanied by the dikpalas lustrates the raised foot of Trivikrama. In the top right corner celestials shower flowers on the god. On a cloud, on the left are Narada, Tumburu and other celestials singing Trivikrama’s praise. In the bottom left corner, King Bali grants Vamana the three steps of land to build his hut.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall, upper register
Date: 17th century
Description: Inner prakara, west wall, view from north.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, west wall
Date: 17th century
Description: Inner prakara, south wall, view from east to west.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Kallapiran Temple;Srivaikuntham
Positioning: Inner prakara, south wall, general view
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