Uppiliappan Temple History, Timings, and Darshan

Tanjore District in Tamil Nadu is home to this Divya Desam.
It is roughly four miles from Kumbakonam and one mile from the Thirunageswaram railway station. The main deity faces east when standing.
The sage who raised Bhoomidevi, Markandeya Rishi, is shown opposite her. He is seated with his back to the south. He is assuming the kanya Danam outlook, which is the mindset of a father giving his daughter away as a bride to the potential son-in-law. The vimanam is also called Sudhananda vimanam and Vishnu vimanam. This is the location where God first appeared to Markandeya Rishi and Kaveri Thayar. The opinion is that the god in question is Lord Venkatachalapathi Tirupati’s brother. As a result, the area is called Then Tirupati, or South Tirupati.

There are other names for this location, including Markandeya Kshetram, Akasa Nagar, Vyoma Puri, Bhooloka Vaikuntam, and Thiru Vinnagaram. Perumal goes by several names. As already said, He goes by Oppiliappan. In addition, he goes by the names Thiru Vinnagarappan, Maniappan, Muthappan, Ennappan, Srinivasan, and Sri Venkatachalapathi.

Uppiliappan Temple has the main deity, Lord Vishnu, in a standing posture with the conch and the disc, similar to Tirumala Temple. Lord can be seen here with Abhaya Hastham (Boon Giver). Bhoomi Devi and Sage Markandeya will be seen on either side of the deity. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams (Holy Abodes of Lord Vishnu)

Uppiliappan Temple Legends

As per the legends, Sage Markandeya was blessed with a girl child who emerged from the earth after a strict penance and was named ‘Bhoomi Devi’. The child was so devoted to the Lord that he wanted to marry her. Markandeya submitted his daughter before the Lord and said that his daughter was so young and did not know how to cook. He also said that the Lord might well have to eat food without salt! So gracious was the Lord that he assured Bhoomi Devi’s father that henceforth he would avoid salt and eat food prepared without uppu (salt). Hence the name ‘Uppiliappan’.

Vaishnavite saints Poigai Azhwar, Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, and Nammazhwar have composed 47 verses called Pasurams on this temple and its presiding deity.

Devotees are not allowed to take Salt or any food item with Salt after Garuda Shrine.

Uppiliappan Temple Timings

• Morning Hours: 6:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Evening Hours: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Uppiliappan Temple Address

Arulmigu Venkatachalapathi Swami Thirukoil,
Oppiliappan Koil, Thirunageswaram,
Kumbakonam, TamilNadu.Pincode – 612204

How to reach Uppiliappan Temple?

By Air

1. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli, which is 114 km away.

By Train

1. Temple is 5 km from Kumbakonam Railway station. Kumbakonam station is well connected with Southern India.

By Road

1. Direct buses to Kumbakonam is available from all parts of TamilNadu.

Uppiliappan Temple Gallery

Reference Link: Temple History