108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu are the temples where Azwars rendered the Divya Prabandam between 6th and 9th century. Lord Oppiliyappan with his consort Bhumi Devi showers his blessings from his beautiful temple situated village of Thirunageswaram, a naturally rich village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam.
There is a proverb “Uppu Illa Pandam Kuppiyela” in tamil (Food without salt should be thrown into the dustbin). This temple has the tastiest prasadam offered to the god without Salt defying the proverb.
Maharishi Markandeya the son of Rishi Mrikandu, travelled across India and finally reached Thiruvinnagar, now Thirunageswaram. Enchanted by the beautiful Tulsi vanam he decided to worship lord Vishnu to get a daughter. After years of severe penance, on Vishnu’s request Devi Lakshmi incarnated as a beautiful baby girl under a Tulsi plant. Maharishi Markandeya found the baby and with his divine sight understood that his wish had been fulfilled. He named the girl Boomadevi and raised her with love and affection as his own daughter. When Boomadevi attained the age of adolescence, Lord Vishnu came to Thuiruvannagar in the form of an old man. Markandeya realising that it was Perumal himself, invited him into his house and offered his services. The old man, said that he wanted to settle down and thus sought Boomadevi’s hand in marriage. Markandeya, in place of being overjoyed, was rather taken aback by this request as his daughter was very young. He humbly explained to Lord Vishnu that Boomadevi is still so young that she des not even know how to cook adding the correct amount of salt. Vishnu just smiled and said that if she does not know how to cook with salt, then he will eat saltless food. Accepting the Lord’s verdict Markandeya happily gave Boomadevis hand in marriage to Vishnu.
Till date only food without salt is offered to God in this temple. This leela of lord Vishnu was to tell the world the taste of love and care is superior to everything and it is not just the salt that gives the taste to food. Even without salt, the prasadam offered in this temple tastes brilliant.
As there is no salt in the food, the temple is called uppiliyappan, Uppu being salt in Tamil, god who eats without salt- uppu illa appan. He is also a god with no equl- oppu illa appan.
Another unique adornment to the lord is the wondrous temple tank called Ahoraatra Kulam, adjoining the temple. The meaning of the name, ‘Ahoraatra’ in Sanskrit is ‘day and night’. Our ancient scriptures, teach us not to bathe in rivers or tanks after nightfall. A King named Devasarma, saw a beautiful woman and fell in love with her. She was the daughter of a rishi named Zaini. Devasarma, learning about her parentage, knew that her father would never agree for the marriage, he decided to take the rishis daughter forcefully. Rishi Zaini cursed the king to become a crow knowing the intent of the King. The king realising his mistake, begged for forgiveness. Rishi Zaini, seeing the King's change in heart, told the crow to go to Thiruvannagar and hang upside down like a bat from the tree close to the Kulam. Devasrama obeyed the rishis command with atmost devotion. One night, when Devasrama in the form of a crow was hanging form the tree branch, there was a sudden gust of wind that threw him off the branch and he fell into the Kulam. He stepped out of the divine waters in the form of a man. As he was liberated from his curse by falling into the waters of the Ahoraatra Kulam, it considered auspicious to take a dip in the Kulam which is believed to rid us of our sins. The Kulam’s history allows and even encourages people to bathe in the Kulam at any time.
Oppiliyappan Temple in Thirunageswaram, a very sacred place is also called Then Tirupathi or south Tirupati due to its religious history. Every morning, for the Viswaroopa seva, Suprabatha Prabathi Mangalam is recited which is exclusive only for Lord Oppiliyappan, adding to his greatness. The daily marriage of the lord (Nitya Kalayanam) is a feast for the eyes. Adding to all the blessings of Oppila Appan is the amazing architecture of this temple topped by the prasadam. A must visit Vishnu Temple!!!!
