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THIRUVINNAGAR - OPPILIAPPAN TEMPLE
“Thanoppa:rilappan thandhanan thanana:l nizhale"

Article by: Sri:ma:n Sri:Ra:m, Chennai.

As a result of a boon, Ma:rkande:ya Maharishi(sage) begot Bhoomipira:ti (mother earth) as his daughter. As Peruma:l (Lord Sri:ma:n Na:ra:yana) could not stay from Bhoomi De:vi, He was not able to reside in Srivaikunttam. Peruma:l came to Ma:rkande:ya Maharishi’s A:sramam as an old man and asked for the daughter of the sage in marriage. Ma:rkande:ya Maharishi replied that his daughter is too young and does not even know how to cook food with proper proportion of salt. She is just 5 years old. Peruma:l replied that, even if She did not put any salt in the food He will still enjoy the food as a Heavenly Elixir. Such Peruma:l who has deep love towards His Consort is in “Thiruvinnagar” or popularly called as “Oppiliappankoil”

The Divyade:sam lies 5 Kilometers away from Kumbako:nam (in Tamilnadu, India) towards Karikal. The DivyaDesam is very fertile with the holy river, Cauvery. At this place, Peruma:l enjoys many uthsavams throughout the year. Monthly sravanam is celebrated in a grand way and attracts a huge number of pilgrims.

The temple lies on the main bus route. When we enter the temple to our right is the “Ahoradhra Pushkarini (The Sacred Pond and in Thamil Pagalira Poigai). On the south west part of the pond, the old peruma:l of the divyaDesam taking rest under water. The old Peruma:lis “Dha:rumooorthy” (wooden form). This paragon of the Lord now requires rest, due to the ages passed by.

The new Peruma:l in the shrine graced His presence to devotees and reached the Divyadesam some 80 years back. A Thirumeni (divine body) with ever more increased beauty. Indeed He is “Thannopparilappan (one who has no Equal or Higher in Auspicious qualities)". Peruma:l gave graced vision to A:zhwa:r in four forms, “Ponnappan (Presently In the procession Paragon), Maniappan, Muthappan and Thiruvinna:garappan”. The other Paragons are in the form Sancum paragons around the temple campus. Thirumangai a:zhwa:r also did mangala:sasanam to this Peruma:l. Thirumangai A:zhwa:r asked this Peruma:l to free him from the samsara (seperation from the Lord in this material existence) “Venden Manaivazhkaiyai Vinagarmeyavane”.

Peruma:l is enjoying many festival celebrations through out the year.

In The Month March – April the Main 10 Day Brahmhosthavam Is Celebrated (This Year Thiruther Is On 01 – 04 – 2008)

In The Month May – June Vasanthosthavam Is Celebrated
In The Month August – September Pavithrosthavam Is Celebrated
In The Month September - October, the Second Brahmosthavam Of The Year Is Celebrated
In The Month of October – November Thirukalyana Utsavam Is Celebrated
In The Month of January – February Float Festival Is Celebrated In The Sacred Pond Of The Temple (This Year On 06 – 02 – 2008).
Srirama Navami Utsavam Is Also Celebrated For Ten Days And Ramar Pattabhishegam Is A Grand Threat To Every Ones Eyes.