108 DIVYA DESAM IN NORTH INDIA AND NEPAL
Introduction
The Divya Desams are a collection of 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu that are celebrated in the texts of Tamil Alvars, poet-saints from the 6th to 9th centuries who wrote poetic hymns extolling its virtues. These revered shrines hold immense importance within Vaishnavite tradition and can be found across India with each having its own history, architecture and spiritual atmosphere – though many can be found in Tamil Nadu alone; others can be found across North India, Nepal and Gujarat which speaks volumes for Vishnu devotion across India and beyond!
Muktinath Temple in Nepal’s Mustang district stands as a beacon of spirituality and liberation. Also known as Mukti Kshetra, this sacred site revered by Hindus and Buddhists is best known for its eternal flame and its 108 water spouts which symbolize purification – making this an indispensable destination for pilgrims seeking moksha, or liberation, from their faith traditions.
Uttar Pradesh, with its rich cultural and religious legacy, boasts several key Divya Desams. Naimisaranya near Sitapur is an ancient forest venerated in numerous Puranic tales; Mathura and Gokul have long been linked with Lord Krishna; while Ayodhya’s birthplace provides another layer of significance and spiritual enrichment to Uttar Pradesh’s landscape – providing devotees a profound connection to their faith through these holy sites.
Uttarakhand’s mountainous state is famed for its iconic Badrinath Temple – one of four Char Dham pilgrimage destinations – making for a rewarding journey for worshippers. Additionally, Devprayag’s Raghunathji Temple and Jyotirmath (Joshimutt) Narasimha Temple also hold great spiritual importance, providing worshippers a peaceful retreat against nature’s splendour.
Gujarat, is home to the Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka which serves as an impressive tribute to Lord Krishna’s kingdom and draws many worshipers seeking blessings and spiritual growth as part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Each Divya Desam offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Hindu mythology, history, and devotion, welcoming pilgrims from around the globe for spiritual enrichment and personal enlightenment.
108 Divya Desam List State wise
Please find below 108 Divya Desam List as per the state they are situated.
108 Divya Desam in Nepal
1. Muktinath
108 Divya Desam in UP (Uttar Pradesh)
2. Naimisaranya
3. Mathura
4. Gokul
5. Ayodhya
Divya Desams in Uttarakhand
6. Raghunathji Temple
7. Badrinath Temple
8. Jyotirmath (Joshimutt)
Divya Desams in Gujarat
9. Dwarka
Divya Desams in Nepal
1. Muktinath
- Location: Mustang district, Nepal
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Mukti Narayana Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Lakshmi Devi
- Temple’s Old Name: Muktinath
- Vimanam’s Name: Kanaka Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Mukti Kunda
- Azhwar: Thirumangai Alvar
- District: Mustang
- Nearest Airport: Pokhara Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Not applicable (no railway station; accessible by road and flight)
- Transport Bus Stand: Jomsom Bus Stand
Divya Desams in Uttar Pradesh
2. Naimisaranya
- Location: Near Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Devaraja Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Hari Lakshmi
- Temple’s Old Name: Naimisaranya
- Vimanam’s Name: Sri Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Chakra Tirtha
- Azhwar: Thirumangai Alvar
- District: Sitapur
- Nearest Airport: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow)
- Nearest Railway Station: Sitapur Junction
- Transport Bus Stand: Sitapur Bus Stand
3. Mathura
- Location: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Krishna Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Rukmini Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Mathura
- Vimanam’s Name: Krishna Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Vishram Ghat
- Azhwar: Periyalvar
- District: Mathura
- Nearest Airport: Agra Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Mathura Junction
- Transport Bus Stand: Mathura Bus Stand
4. Gokul
- Location: Near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Krishna Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Radha Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Gokul
- Vimanam’s Name: Gokul Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Raman Reti
- Azhwar: Periyalvar
- District: Mathura
- Nearest Airport: Agra Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Mathura Junction
- Transport Bus Stand: Mathura Bus Stand
5. Ayodhya
- Location: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Rama Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Sita Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Ayodhya
- Vimanam’s Name: Pushpaka Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Sarayu River
- Azhwar: Thirumangai Alvar
- District: Ayodhya
- Nearest Airport: Ayodhya Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Ayodhya Junction
- Transport Bus Stand: Ayodhya Bus Stand
Divya Desams in Uttarakhand
6. Raghunathji Temple
- Location: Devprayag, Uttarakhand
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Raghunathji Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Sita Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Devprayag
- Vimanam’s Name: Raghunath Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Alaknanda-Bhagirathi confluence
- Azhwar: Thirumangai Alvar
- District: Tehri Garhwal
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh Railway Station
- Transport Bus Stand: Devprayag Bus Stand
7. Badrinath Temple
- Location: Badrinath, Uttarakhand
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Badri Narayana Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Lakshmi Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Badarikasramam
- Vimanam’s Name: Tapta Kunda Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Tapta Kunda
- Azhwar: Nammalvar
- District: Chamoli
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh Railway Station
- Transport Bus Stand: Badrinath Bus Stand
8. Jyotirmath (Joshimutt)
- Location: Joshimath, Uttarakhand
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Narasimha Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Lakshmi Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Jyotirmath
- Vimanam’s Name: Narasimha Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Tapta Kunda
- Azhwar: Nammalvar
- District: Chamoli
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh Railway Station
- Transport Bus Stand: Joshimath Bus Stand
Divya Desams in Gujarat
9. Dwarka
- Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
- Perumal’s Name: Sri Dwarkadhish Perumal
- Thayar’s Name: Sri Rukmini Thayar
- Temple’s Old Name: Dwarka
- Vimanam’s Name: Hemakuta Vimanam
- Temple Tank: Gomti River
- Azhwar: Nammalvar
- District: Devbhoomi Dwarka
- Nearest Airport: Porbandar Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station
- Transport Bus Stand: Dwarka Bus Stand
Thirumangai Alvar, Nammalvar, and Periyalvar: A Brief History
There are 12 Alvars who are holy saints revered in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. The Divya Prabandham are the devotional hymns which is the foundational part of this Sri Vaishnavism sect. They believe to represent the incarnations of different types of Lord Vishnu and are sent to Earth to spread the practice of bhakti (devotion) via their poems and teachings.
Thirumangai Alvar
Thirumangai Alvar, born Kaliyan in Thirukkuraiyalur town and initially serving as chieftain and warrior, experienced an epiphany after encountering Lord Vishnu. Following this meeting with Him he gave up his previous lifestyle to devote himself fully to Him as Thirumangai Alvar, dedicating his life to His service – writing numerous hymns praising Vishnu and His realm. These works, known for their emotional depth and intricate metaphors made Divya Prabandham collection.
Nammalvar
Nammalvar was considered to be one of the premier Alvars. According to tradition, he was blessed with divine knowledge at birth and spent sixteen years meditating under a tamarind tree before Lord Vishnu broke his silence by inspiring him to compose sublime hymns which expressed profound spiritual insights and experiences. These works include Thiruvaymozhi which are widely revered for both their philosophical depth and devotional fervor – his hymns filled with metaphysical contemplation and divine love greatly impacted upon Bhakti movements around the world and continue inspiring devotees today.
Periyalvar
Periyalvar (Vishnuchittar), famously known for his deep devotion to Lord Vishnu, won the patronage of Pandya king by showing how supreme Lord Vishnu was and, in gratitude, received the title “Periyalvar (the great Alvar). Periyalvar’s compositions such as Tirupallantu praise Him while seeking His protection with simple yet profound lyrics of devotion; especially notable are Tirupallantu which praise the Lord while asking Him for His protection with intimate hymns which add personal and intimate depth into his hymns.
These three Alvars have left an indelible mark on Vaishnavite tradition through their diverse backgrounds and devotional expressions, leaving a profound legacy that continues to foster strong bonds between devotees and God. Their hymns continue to be sung at temples and homes worldwide – creating lasting bonds between devotees and divinity.
Conclusion
Out of the 108 Divya Desasm, here we are exploring the Divya Desams in North India, Nepal and Gujarat that offers a profound spiritual experience, taking devotees on an intimate pilgrimage through some of the holiest sites dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Each temple, revered through hymns by Alvars and living manifestations of faith are not simply architectural marvels but living reminders of faith, history and devotion – each offering the chance for devotionals to connect deeply with their own spiritual heritage and experience His divine presence through various rituals and traditions.
Muktinath Temple stands as an inspiration to all seeking liberation and spiritual fulfillment, embodying both Hindu and Buddhist traditions to emphasize its inclusive nature and contribute towards creating spiritual unity.
Uttar Pradesh offers an exciting spiritual experience through its Divya Desams. Naimisaranya’s ancient forest, Mathura’s Krishna legends, Gokul’s childhood tales about divinity, and Ayodhya’s epic Ramayana connections make these pilgrimages appealing pilgrimages which honor and celebrate not only godly qualities, but also those timeless tales which have profoundly impacted spiritual consciousness in millions worldwide.
Uttarakhand’s mountainous Divya Desams offer a peaceful and breathtaking environment to practice worship or reflection, including Badrinath Temple – part of the Char Dham pilgrimage – Raghunathji Temple and Narasimha Temple in Jyotirmath which invite devotees to experience divinity among nature’s grandeur, providing a spiritual retreat that renews souls.
In Gujarat, India, Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka stands as an impressive testament to Lord Krishna and his divine realm. With historical and spiritual significance dating back to ancient India’s Char Dham pilgrimage route, this holy site serves as a beacon of Vaishnavite worship that attracts pilgrims seeking divine blessings and an intimate understanding of their faith.
Collectively, these Divya Desams embody the essence of Vaishnavism by providing a sacred space where history, mythology and devotion intersect. Pilgrims visiting these temples experience a transformative journey enhanced by Vishnu’s divine presence and timeless spiritual heritage represented by these temples. Additionally, those living in North India, Nepal or Gujarat find these sites invaluable as sources of spiritual renewal – safeguarding ancient traditions while inspiring lasting devotion among their congregation – making them essential pillars of Hindu spirituality and culture.