What Are the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams? A Complete Pilgrimage Guide

Learn everything about visiting Chozha Nadu Divya Desam Temples & the Sacred Temples of Lord Vishnu, Alvars & How to organise a meaningful pilgrimage.

Tamil Nadu is home to some of the most sacred temples in India. As part of this, the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams play a vital role in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Located mainly in the Kaveri Delta & surrounding temple towns, are a collection of ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

If you are looking to start your pilgrimage to one or more of the 108 Divya Desams, learning a bit more about the Chozha Nadu area will help you get started. This guide will tell you all about the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams, which temples to visit, best times to visit & how to plan your pilgrimage.

What are the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams?

The Divya Desams are a collection of 108 sacred temples of Lord Vishnu. They are celebrated in the hymns of the twelve Alvars. The hymns are part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of around 4,000 hymns.

Traditionally the 108 Divya Desams are divided into groups based on the region they are in. Of these 108, there are 40 in the Chozha Nadu area. Chozha Nadu refers to the historic Chola area & is associated with the Kaveri Delta in modern day Tamil Nadu.

The temples are very important as they relate to the Alvars, Lord Vishnu worship & are related to the Vaishnavite history of the area.

Traditionally there are 106 Divya Desams as well as 2 celestial temples. There are a large number of Divya Desams located in Chozha Nadu.

Visiting these temples provides you with a chance to learn about the rich history of faith, scripture, temple worship & reflection.

Why are the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams important?

The Chozha Nadu area is an important part of South Indian Temple culture. The sacred land has a special relationship with the hymns, religion & historic temple towns. Here are 3 reasons why these temples are special to visit on a pilgrimage.

Alvar Association

The Alvars wrote hymns to celebrate Lord Vishnu & his various avatars. The hymns are full of praise for the sacred temples related to the Lord & express love, devotion & yearning. The Divya Desams have close links to this.

Ancient Temple Worship

Many of the temples in this area are famous for their traditional worship, fascinating Gopurams, carvings & unique depictions of Lord Vishnu. They also have links to various dynasties & show how temples have developed throughout Tamil Nadu.

High Concentration of Temples

Many of the 40 temples are located in a fairly concentrated area. Many of them are found around Srirangam, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi & Thirunangur. This makes it a great place to plan your Chozha Nadu Divya Desam Yatra. However, you will need to plan your itinerary with care due to the number of temples present.

10 Chozha Nadu Divya Desams You Should Know

There are 40 sacred temples, however here are 10 Chozha Nadu Divya Desams that you should know about.

Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple

Location: Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli

Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the most important Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites in India. It is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha who is a reclining version of Lord Vishnu. This temple is famous for being large, having tall Gopurams & having rich traditions.

Traditionally this is considered to be the most important of the 108 Divya Desams & is central to Sri Vaishnava worship. Visit to see one of the most famous Vishnu temples in India & learn about devotional history.

Nachiyar Koil

Location: Near Kumbakonam

Nachiyar Koil is a famous Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Srinivasa Perumal) & Goddess Vanjulavalli Thayar.

This temple is famous for the emphasis placed upon the consorts of the Lord. This temple is also famous for having a famous Kal Garuda. Visit to see a unique Vaishnavite temple with interesting traditions.

Sarangapani Temple

Location: Kumbakonam

Sarangapani Temple is one of the most important temples of Vishnu in Kumbakonam. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Sarangapani. This temple is famous for its impressive architecture.

This temple has a tall Rajagopurm & traditional layout. Visit to see an important Divya Desam & learn about the temple heritage of Kumbakonam.

Oppiliappan Temple

Location: Near Kumbakonam

Oppiliappan Temple is a sacred temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Oppiliappan) & Goddess Bhoomidevi.

This temple is well known for the traditional offering of unsalted food. It is visited by those hoping to receive blessings & worship. Visit to see a unique temple tradition & another important stop on your Kumbakonam pilgrimage.

Thirukudanthai Aravamudhan Temple

Location: Kumbakonam

Thirukudanthai is traditionally the name of Kumbakonam. This temple is an important Divya Desam & is dedicated to Aravamudhan who is worshipped in a reclining position.

This temple has strong links to the hymns of the Alvars & is part of the rich Vaishnavite history of the Kaveri area. Visit to see a sacred temple related to Tamil devotional scriptures & the history of Kumbakonam.

Thiruvellarai Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple

Location: Thiruvellarai, near Tiruchirappalli

Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is famous for its unique architecture.

This temple is associated with Lord Pundarikaksha Perumal & is an important part of the Divya Desam history around Tiruchirappalli. Visit to appreciate an ancient temple with lots of spiritual importance & has a rich architectural history.

Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple

Location: Koviladi, near Tiruchirappalli

Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple is an important Divya Desam & is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped in a reclining position. This temple is associated with the traditional story of the offering of appam by the Lord. This is what gives the temple its unique name.

This temple is located near the Kaveri area making it a meaningful addition when visiting temples around Tiruchirappalli. Visit to learn about the devotional history & stories behind each unique Divya Desam.

Thanjai Mamani Koil

Location: Thanjavur

Thanjai Mamani Koil is traditionally associated with a set of three Vishnu temples. These are Neelamegha Perumal, Manikundra Perumal & Veera Narasimha Perumal.

These temples form a unique part of the Chozha Nadu Divya Desam tradition. They provide visitors with the chance to see different avatars of Lord Vishnu. Visit to experience the Vaishnavite traditions of the area & explore one of Tamil Nadu’s most famous heritage areas.

Thirunangur Divya Desams

Location: Thirunangur, near Sirkazhi

Thirunangur is an important area for Divya Desams. This area is associated with Thirumangai Alvar.

The temples in Thirunangur are unique due to the unique deities & importance they hold in the Sri Vaishnavite pilgrimage. An annual festival, Thirunangur Garuda Sevai, takes place.

Visit to experience a unique collection of sacred Vishnu temples & learn about the deep devotional history.

Thiruvali & Thirunagari Divya Desam

Location: Near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai

Thiruvali & Thirunagari are very connected with the devotional history of the area. The temples are associated with Lord Vishnu & various traditions linked to Lakshmi Narasimha.

This area is also very connected with Thirumangai Alvar, one of the most famous Alvars of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Visit to learn about the devotional history of the area & complete your exploration of the sacred temple area around Sirkazhi & Thirunangur.

Where are the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams?

The Chozha Nadu Divya Desams are spread across the historic Kaveri Delta in Tamil Nadu & surrounding temple towns. There are a few main areas to consider when planning your pilgrimage:

• Tiruchirappalli/Srirangam – Important starting point for temples around Trichy
• Thanjavur – Historic area with many important religious & cultural sites
• Kumbakonam – Major temple town with many Divya Desams in the area
• Mayiladuthurai – Great base for visiting nearby temples
• Sirkazhi & Thirunangur – Important areas for the northern temples
• Chidambaram & surrounding areas – Useful for extending your temple trip

As there are various opening times & distances to travel between temples, it is important to plan your route.

Best Time to Visit the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams

Generally the cooler months of October to March are nice to visit the temples.

Consider the following:

• October to March – Generally a good time to visit the temples & travel by road. Rainfall may vary
• Festivals – Great chance to see special festivals & processions. However this may mean more people & demand for accommodation
• Summer – Temperatures may be quite high. It is important to visit early in the morning, stay hydrated & well rested

If you are planning to visit during a specific festival or ritual it is best to check with the individual temples for dates.

How to Plan Your Chozha Nadu Divya Desam Pilgrimage

Visiting multiple Divya Desams requires some planning to make sure you have a pleasant experience.

• Plan Your Route – Try to visit temples that are close together to reduce travelling between towns.
• Check Opening Times – Opening times, darshan & special rituals may vary between temples. Be sure to check opening times & allow some flexibility.
• Choose Good Accommodation – Stay overnight in convenient areas such as Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai & Sirkazhi.
• Plan for Long Days – Visiting multiple temples may mean getting up early, walking & multiple transfers. Bring plenty of water, comfortable clothing, personal medication & any necessary documents.
• Follow Temple Rules – Each temple will have rules regarding what to wear, footwear & photography.
• Planned Group Tours – If you don’t want to organise transfers & hotels yourself you could book a planned Divya Desam pilgrimage. Check the full itinerary, what is included, what is excluded & the booking conditions.

Visit the Chozha Nadu Divya Desams with Travel Times

Booking a visit to many sacred temples can be a rewarding experience however takes some time to plan.

Travel Times have a dedicated Divya Desam Yatra – Chozha Nadu. This allows devotees to visit important Vishnu temples in the area over 6 days & 5 nights.

The published itinerary starts in Trichy & includes the temple areas of Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Thirunangur & Chidambaram. The package includes:

• 5 nights accommodation with air conditioning
• Breakfast daily
• Local travel with air conditioned transport
• Tolls, parking & driver expenses
• Train & flight fees, darshan fees, lunch & dinner are excluded. Be sure to check the full itinerary & finalise your booking

Would you like to plan your Divya Desam pilgrimage?

Check out the Travel Times Chozha Nadu Divya Desam Yatra. Also take a look at our range of pilgrimage tours by Travel Times.

Call us today: +91 89565 00600
Write to us: bookings@traveltimes.in