Introduction
About a mile from Tirunageswaram Railway Station and 3 miles from Kumbakonam, a sacred Vaishnavite temple exists known as Uppiliappan or Oppiliappan temple. rhe deity is known by various names as Uppiliappan, Oppiliappan, Srinivasan, Venkatachala- pathy, Tiruvinnagarappan, etc. The Goddess is known as Bhoomi Devi.
The Lord is in the standing pose facing east, Goddess Bhoomi Devi sitting facing north, and Markandeya is installed as if performing the rites of marriage of his daughter.Poigai Alwar, Pey Alwar,Tiruman- gai Alwar and Nammalwar have sung in praise of this deity. As Nammalwar Yisualised the God of this temple in five different poses, he began to call the deity accordingly as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Muthappan, Ennappan and Tiruvinnagarappan.
Author : Shri R. K. Das
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