108 Divya Desams or Tirupatis

Sri Vaishnavism is one of the pre-eminent traditions of Hinduism which consider Lord Vishu as the supreme. Even today, Vishnu is supposed to be present in 108 Desams or Temples known as the Divya Desams.

106 of them are located in this world, the majority of them in Tamilnadu. The remaining 2, Tirupparkadal and Srivaikuntam, are accessible only when one leaves this world. Eleven of these temples are in Kerala. Each of these temples is over 1200 years old. Twelve saint (poet) devotees  - the great Alwars lived their lives dedicated to expressing their devotion to Maha Vishnu - considered to be the supreme manifestation of Divinity in the Vaishnava system of beliefs. These saints composed verses in tamil,  and revitalized the religious spirit of the region, sparking off a renewal of devotional worship in what is generally referred to as the Bhakti movement. The poems of these Alwars address Vishnu as enshrined in 108 temples and celestial abodes.

The 108 Divya Desams         click for a virual tour of the 108 temples