Gurushivam at 20:57, 19 November 2025

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{{Short description|Group of five Vishnu temples in South India}}
[[File:Maharishi Bhrighuji.jpg|thumb|Artistic representation of the [[Maharishi Bhrigu]].]]{{Use dmy dates}}{{Use Indian English}}
The '''Pancha Kshetrams''' ({{Lang-sa|पञ्च क्षेत्रम्|lit=Five abodes/stages of Vishnu|translit=Pañca Kṣetram}}) or '''Pancha Bhargavi Kshethram''' is a group of five sacred [[Hindu temples]], dedicated the deity [[Vishnu]] and [[Lakshmi]] With the legend associated to the [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]]. All the temples are [[Divya desams]] except one which is an [[Abhimana sthalam]].

==Legend==
During ''[[Kali Yuga]]'', [[Narada]] advised some sages who were performing [[yajna|yagna]] to decide who could be given the fruits of yagna among [[Trimurti]]s ([[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]]). [[Bhrigu]] was sent to test the Trinity. The sage who had an extra eye in the sole of his foot visited [[Brahma]] and [[Shiva]] and went unnoticed in both these locations. He cursed Brahma to be not worshipped and Shiva to be worshipped as a [[lingam]]. At last he visited [[Vishnu]] and the lord acts as if he had not noticed Bhrigu. Getting angered by this act, sage Bhrigu kicked Vishnu in the chest, to which Vishnu did not react and instead apologised to the Sage by massaging his feet. During this act, he squashed the extra eye that was present in the sole of Bhrigu's foot. However [[Lakshmi]] finds it as an insult since Vishnu's chest was considered as Lakshmi's residence (''vakshasthala'') and Bhrigu kicked it which indirectly insulted Lakshmi. She then left [[Vaikuntha]] and came to Earth to [[Kolhapur]] and started meditating.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/religious-places/history-of-tirupati-balaji-temple/articleshow/68206101.cms|title=History of Tirupati Balaji temple|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref>

Vishnu bore human form as [[Venkateswara|Srinivasa]], left Vaikuntha, in search of Lakshmi, reached the ''Seshachalam'' hills in Tirumala and started meditating. Lakshmi learned of the condition of Srinivasa and called Shiva and Brahma. Shiva and Brahma then converted themselves into Cow and Calf and Lakshmi had handed over the cow and calf to [[Chola]] king ruling over Tirumala Hills at that time. The Cow would provide milk to Srinivasa daily while it was taken for grazing. One day, a cowherd saw this and tried to beat the Cow with his staff but Srinivasa had borne the injury. Getting angered by this Srinivasa had cursed the Chola king to become a [[Demon]] as dharma says sins committed by servants (''shudras'') should be borne by Kings. The king prayed for mercy after which Srinivasa said to him, that the King should take next birth as Akasharaja and should perform marriage of his daughter Padmavati with Srinivasa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/tirumala-tirupati-devasthanam-all-about-the-tirupati-temple-its-legend-architecture-and-more-1632477971-1|title=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam: TTD Online, TTD Darshan, Tirupati Temple Legend, Architecture & More|website=Jagranjosh.com}}</ref>

Srinivasa went to his foster-mother [[Vakula Devi]] on Tirumala hills and stayed there for a while. After curse, [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] king took rebirth as Akasharaja and he had a daughter named Padmavati, who was born in the Padmapushkarini situated at present day [[Tiruchanur]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Srinivasa married Padmavati at present day Narayanavanam in Andhra Pradesh and returned to Tirumala Hills. After few months, Goddess Lakshmi had discovered the marriage of Srinivasa with Padamavati and went to Tirumala hills to question Srinivasa. Srinivasa, unable to bear the quarrel between Lakshmi and Padmavati, turned into stone right when he was encountered by Lakshmi and Padmavathi. Brahma and Shiva appeared before the confused queens and explain the main purpose behind all this - The Lord's desire to be on the seven hills for the emancipation of mankind from the perpetual troubles of ''Kali Yuga''. Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavathi also turn into stone deities expressing their wish to be always there. Lakshmi stays with Him on His Chest on the left side while Padmavathi rests on His Chest's right side.

Padmavathy got her memories and was still angry with Vishnu. In the meanwhile, the sage [[Bhrigu]] sought his apology and requested Mahalakshmi to be born to him in more 4 places which are [[Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem]] ''Bhrigu'' as ''Bhrigu'', [[Nachiyar Koil]] ''Bhrigu'' as ''Medhavi Maharishi'', [[Oppiliappan temple]] ''Bhrigu'' as ''Markandeya Maharishi'' and [[Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam]] ''Bhrigu'' as ''Hema Maharishi''.<ref name="templesinindiainfo">{{cite web|title=Salem Alagirinathar Temple Timings, History|url=https://templesinindiainfo.com/salem-alagirinathar-temple-timings-history/|publisher=templesinindiainfo|accessdate=9 April 2017}}</ref><ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/jun/22/sharngapani-perumal-the-temple-designed-like-a-chariot-2159561.html|title=Sharngapani Perumal: The temple designed like a chariot|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

==The five Temples==
{{Location map+|Tamil Nadu|alt=Locations of the Pancha Kshethram
|places=
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=13.6830|long=79.3469|label= Tirumala|position=left}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=11.65|long=78.15|label= Salem|position=left}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=10.9166|long=79.4333|label= Thirunarayur|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=10.9613|long=79.4313|label= Thirunageswaram|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Tamil Nadu|lat=10.9594|long=79.3747|label= Thirukudandhai|position=left}}
|caption=Pancha Kshethram locations|float=center|width=360}}

[[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]] is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under control of Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Government. The rest four temples in [[Tamil Nadu]] are maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]. The presiding deities are revered in the 5th century Tamil [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavate]] canonical work, the ''[[Divya Prabandha]]m'', written by Tamil saint poets known as the [[Alvars]] and classified as ''[[Divya desam]]'' except one Deity which is one of the 108 [[Abhimana sthalam]].

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#FFC569"
| '''Name of the Sacred place'''
| '''Perumal'''
| '''Temple'''
| '''Photo'''
| '''Location'''
| '''Details'''
|-
| [[Tirumala]]
| '''Padmavathi Nachiyar Sametha Srinivasa Perumal'''
| [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]]
| [[File:Tirumala 090615.jpg|200px]]
| [[Tirumala]] {{coord|13|40|59.7|N|79|20|49.9|E}}
| The '''Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] situated in the hill town of [[Tirumala]] at [[Tirupati]] in [[Tirupati district]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]], India. The Temple is dedicated to [[Venkateswara]], a form of [[Vishnu]], who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. Hence the place has also got the name Kaliyuga [[Vaikuntha]] and the deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm |title=Tirumala Temple |access-date=13 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011032254/http://tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm |archive-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Sri Sailam]]
| '''Sundaravalli Nachiyar Sametha Sundararaja Perumal'''
| [[Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem]]
| [[File:Entrance of Sundararajan.V.jpg|200px]]
| [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], {{coord|11.65|N|78.15|E}}
| '''Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem''' (also known as '''Kottai Perumal Koil''') is located on the banks of the [[Thirumanimutharu river]] at [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Tamil nadu]], India.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/news/district/in-fort-perumal-templeonline-booking-for-special-darshan-554269|title=கோட்டை பெருமாள் கோவிலில் சிறப்பு தரிசனத்துக்கு ஆன்லைனில் முன்பதிவு|first=மாலை|last=மலர்|website=www.maalaimalar.com}}</ref> It is considered as an ''Abhimana sthalam'' of [[Lord Vishnu]] and one of the Pancha Kshethram where [[Maha Lakshmi]] was born as ''Bhargavi''- the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu. The other four temples of the Pancha Kshethram are [[Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam]], [[Oppiliappan temple]], [[Nachiyar Koil]] and [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]].<ref name="auto"/> The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from [[Medieval Cholas]], [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara Empire]], [[Chera]], [[Pandyas]] and [[Madurai Nayaks]]. The temple follows [[Vaikhanasa|Vaikhanasa agama]] and the temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' rituals during festivals and on a daily basis. The priests belong to the [[Vadakalai]] sect of [[Vaishnavism]], a Brahmin sub-caste.
|-
| [[Nachiyar Koil]]
| '''Vanchulavalli Nachiyar sametha Naraiyur Nambi Perumal'''
| [[Nachiyar Koil]]
| [[File:Nachiyar Kovil (13).jpg|200px]]
| [[Nachiyar Koil]] {{coord|10|55|N|79|26|E}}
| '''Nachiyar Kovil''' or '''Thirunarayur Nambi Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] in Thirunarayur, a village in the outskirts of [[Kumbakonam]] in the southern [[Indian state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], is dedicated to the Hindu god [[Vishnu]] and his wife [[Lakshmi]]. It is the sub urban region of business city of Kumbakonam.

Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple is glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha]]m'', the early medieval [[Tamil literature|Tamil]] canon of the [[Alvars|Alvar]] saints from the 6th to 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 ''[[divyadesam|Divya Desam]]s'' dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Srinivasa Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Nachiyar. The temple is the place where god Vishnu is believed to have initiated ''[[Samasrayana|Pancha Samskara]]'' (religious initiation) to [[Thirumangai Alvar]]. The temple follows the [[Thenkalai|Tenkalai]] mode of worship.
|-
| [[Thirunageswaram]]
| '''Bhooma Devi Sametha Oppiliappan Perumal
| [[Oppiliappan temple]]
| [[File:Uppliyappan Kovil.jpg|200px]]
| [[Thirunageswaram]], [[Tamil nadu]] {{coord|10|57|41.63|N|79|25|53.73|E}}
| '''Oppiliappan Temple''', is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to [[Vishnu]], located near [[Thirunageswaram]] and also known by its old toponym Thiruvinnagar, a village in the outskirts of the [[Kumbakonam]] in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple is glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the early medieval [[Tamil literature|Tamil]] canon of the [[Alvars|Alvar]] saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is counted as the 60th of the 108 [[Divya Desams]] dedicated to Vishnu. Vishnu is worshiped as Oppiliappan and his consort [[Lakshmi]] as [[Bhumi Devi|Bhudevi]].

The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity and to have been initiated by the [[Medieval Cholas]] of the late 8th century CE, with later contributions at different times from [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Thanjavur Nayaks]]. The temple has two inscriptions dating from the Chola period, a five-tiered ''rajagopuram'' (gateway tower), and a granite wall. The complex contains all the shrines and water bodies associated with it.
|-
| [[Kumbakonam|Thirukudandhai]]
| '''Komalavalli Nachiyar Sametha Sarangapani Perumal'''
| [[Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam]]
| [[File:Gopuras in Kumbakonam - India.JPG|200px]]
| [[Kumbakonam]] {{coord|10|57|34|N|79|22|29|E}}
| '''Sarangapani Temple''' is a Hindu temple dedicated to [[Vishnu]], located in [[Kumbakonam]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].
It is one of the ''[[Divya Desams]]'', the 108 temples of [[Vishnu]] revered in [[Nalayira Divya Prabandham]] by the 12 poet saints, or [[Alwars]].<ref>{{cite book|title=108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Malai Nadu and Vada Nadu|last= M. S. |first=Ramesh|publisher= Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam}}</ref> This temple is along [[Kaveri]] and is one of the [[Pancharanga Kshetrams]].<ref name="Pancharanga Kshetrams">{{cite web |
title=Pancharanga Kshetrams|work=Indiantemples.com |
url=http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/df012.html |access-date= 2007-06-20}}</ref>
The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from [[Medieval Cholas]], [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara Empire]] and [[Madurai Nayaks]]. The temple is enshrined within a huge granite wall and the complex contains all the shrines and the water bodies of the temple. The ''[[gopuram|rajagopuram]]'' (the main gateway) has eleven tiers and has a height of {{convert|173|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The Potramarai tank, the temple tank, is located opposite to the western entrance of the temple.
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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Pancha Kshethram - Revision history

Gurushivam at 20:57, 19 November 2025

42.111.28.39: Article formatted.