Temples
To a devout Vaishnava, temples signify actual abodes of God. The Supreme Being, whose nature is absolutely beyond language and ordinary understanding, chooses to descend into an image so that we may serve, love and meditate upon Him. His descent is taken purely out of His divine will and is motivated by His innate and immeasurable compassion.
The Supreme Being’s descent into an image is known as archa and is one of the five types of forms that the Supreme Lord assumes. Of the many temples of the Lord, Divya Desam denote places sanctified by the songs of the Alvars. Abhimana Sthalam denote temples that, though not sung of by the Alvars have through history and association with other saints attained great sanctity.
Divya Desams
- Srirangam
- Woraiyur
- Tirumalai (Tiruvenkatam)
- Thiruvahindrapuram
- Thiruvallikkeni
- Thirukkudandai
- Thiruvindalur
- Thiruvehka
- Thiruvali
- Thirukandiyur
- Kanchipuram