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Oppiliappan Vishnu Temple

Thiruvindalur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Lord Ranganatha
More in Tamil Nadu

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Ranganatha

Pincode

612503

One of the 108 Divya Desams — Lord Oppiliappan (Vishnu without blemish) accepts only salt-less food offerings and no Tulsi (holy basil) — unique restrictions found nowhere else. The presiding Goddess Komalavalli (Lakshmi) is said to have manifested here. The temple's beautiful pond and serene atmosphere make it special.

History & Significance

Significance

A Divya Desam near Kumbakonam dedicated to Vishnu as Oppiliappan ('the peerless lord'), whose consort here is Bhoodevi rather than Lakshmi. Uniquely among Vishnu temples, offerings prepared for the deity traditionally contain no salt, said to honour the goddess's earthly, unrefined nature.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Shiva

Venus (Shukra) Navagraha temple. The Shukra (Venus) Navagraha temple at Kanjanur, one of the rarest — Venus is the presiding deity here rather than a subordinate planet.

Kanjanur Agneeswarar Temple

Kanjanur, Tamil Nadu2 km
Lord Shiva

Shiva

Moon (Chandra) Navagraha temple. The Chandra (Moon) Navagraha temple at Thingalur, where the presiding deity of the moon is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva to regain his brightness.

Thingalur Chandran Temple

Thingalur, Tamil Nadu8 km
Lord Shiva

Shiva

Sun (Surya) Navagraha temple. The Surya (Sun) Navagraha temple near Kumbakonam; the only shrine among the nine where all nine planetary deities are installed in separate shrines around the main lingam.

Suryanar Koil

Suryanar Koil, Tamil Nadu10 km
Lord Shiva

Ranganatha

One of the tallest gopurams in South India (45 metres, 11 tiers) and the most important Divya Desam in Kumbakonam. Lord Sarangapani (Vishnu holding a bow/sarangu) reclines here in the posture of a patient cured of illness — a rare form of Vishnu.

Sarangapani Temple

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu12 km
Lord Ranganatha