Divya Desam Depictions
A collection of temple legends and sacred stories depicted in handmade dolls with narration. The 108 Divya Desams are temples sung by the Alwars in their verses. Each page includes a short story summary and links to the corresponding video.
Featured Depictions
Srirangam
ஸ்ரீரங்கம்Deity: Sri Ranganathar
The foremost of all 108 Divya Desams, Srirangam houses Lord Ranganatha in a reclining posture on Adisesha. The temple is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.
Legend:
Lord Ranganatha was originally worshipped by Lord Brahma, then passed to Ikshvaku, and eventually to Lord Rama. Vibhishana received the deity as a gift and was carrying it to Lanka when it got established at Srirangam.
Tirupati Tirumala
திருப்பதிDeity: Lord Venkateswara (Balaji)
The most visited pilgrimage center in the world, Lord Venkateswara stands atop the seven hills of Tirumala, blessing devotees who climb the sacred path.
Legend:
Lord Vishnu descended to Earth as Srinivasa to be with his consort Padmavati. He borrowed money from Kubera for the wedding and remains at Tirumala receiving offerings to repay the debt.
Thiruvananthapuram
திருவனந்தபுரம்Deity: Anantha Padmanabha Swamy
The 75th Divya Desam, this temple houses the magnificent 18-foot reclining form of Lord Vishnu on Anantha (Adisesha), viewable only through three doors.
Legend:
A sage named Divakara Muni performed severe penance. A boy appeared and tested his patience multiple times. When the sage chased him, the boy merged into a tree which fell and transformed into the massive reclining form of Vishnu.
More Divya Desams
Kanchipuram Varadaraja
காஞ்சிபுரம்
One of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri), Kanchipuram houses multiple Divya Desams including the grand Varadaraja Perumal temple.
Alwarthirunagari
ஆழ்வார்திருநகரி
The birthplace of Nammalwar, the greatest of all Alwars. The sacred tamarind tree under which he meditated still stands.
Srivilliputhur
ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர்
The birthplace of Andal and Periyalwar. The 192-foot gopuram is the official symbol of the Tamil Nadu government.
More Divya Desam depictions coming soon. The 108 Divya Desams span across India and Nepal.