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{{Short description|Hindu poet-saint}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
| name = Poigai Alvar
| image = Poigai Alvar - Sri Appan Venkatachalapati Temple, Cheranmahadevi.jpg
| caption = [[Murti]] of Poigai Alvar, Sri Appan Venkatachalapati Temple, Cheranmahadevi
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| birth_date = 7th century CE, traditionally believed to be 4203 BCE <ref>{{cite web |title=Poigai Alzhwar – Jeeyar Educational Trust UK |url=https://jetuk.org/poigaialzhwar/ |access-date=22 April 2026}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Tiruvekkaa]] near Kanchipuram
| birth_name =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| guru =
| philosophy = [[Vaishnavism]] [[Bhakti]]
| honors =
| literary_works = [[Mutal Tiruvantati]]
| footnotes =
}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
'''Poigai Alvar''' {{Audio|Ta-பொய்கையாழ்வார்.ogg|Tamil pronunciation|help=no}} was one of the twelve ''[[alvars|Alvar]]'' saints of South [[India]], who are known for their affiliation to [[Vaishnava]] tradition of [[Hinduism]]. The verses of ''[[Alvars]]'' are compiled as ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham]]'' and the 108 temples revered are classified as ''[[Divya desam|Divya Desam]]''. Poigai is one of the three principal ''Alvars'', with the other two being [[Bhoothath Alvar]] and [[Peyalvar]], collectively called ''Mutalamalvargal,'' who are regarded to be born out of divinity. Poigai composed hundred verses that are classified as ''[[Mutal Tiruvantati]],'' and his composition is set in the ''[[Andhadhi|antati]]'' style, in which the ending syllable is the starting one for the next verse.

According to traditional account, the first three ''Alvars'' belong to ''[[Dvapara Yuga]]'' (before 4200 BCE). As per Hindu legend, Poigai was found in a small pond near the Yadhotakaari temple at [[Tiruvekkaa]]. In Tamil, small pond is called ''poigai'', and since he was found in a pond, he got the name Poigai.

As per legend, the three ''Alvars'' were once confined in a small dark enclosure during a rain in [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur|Thirukovilur]] and they experienced a fourth individual among them. They found out that it was god Vishnu and Poigai Alvar wished to see his face continuously but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning. With a view to maintain the continuity of light, he instantly composed hundred songs wishing light to emerge. The other two continued composing hundred songs each on Vishnu. The works of these earliest saints contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism. Along with the three Shaiva [[Nayanmars]], they influenced the ruling [[Pallava]] kings of the South Indian region, resulting in changing the religious geography from [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]] to the two sects{{clarify|reason=which sects?|date=June 2021}} of [[Hinduism]].

==Alvars==
{{Main articles|Alvar}}
The word ''Alvar'' means the 'immersed', referring to the poet-saints's deep devotion to their supreme deity, [[Vishnu]]. The ''[[Alvars]]'' are considered the twelve supreme devotees of [[Vishnu]] in [[Sri Vaishnavism]], who were instrumental in popularising [[Vaishnavism]] during the 5th to 8th centuries CE. The religious works of these saints in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], songs of love and devotion, are compiled as ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]],'' containing 4000 verses, with each of the 108 temples revered in their songs is classified as a ''[[Divya desam|Divya Desam]]''.<ref name="Rao" /><ref name="Dalal21">[[#Dalal|Dalal]] 2011, pp. 20-21</ref> The saints had different origins, and belonged to different classes. According to tradition, the first three ''Alvars'', Poigai Alvar, Bhoothath Alvar, and Pei Alvar, were born miraculously. Thirumalisai Alvar was the son of a sage, Thondaradi Alvar, Mathurakavi Alvar, Periya Alvar, and Andal were from [[Brahmin]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]], Kulasekhara Alvar from the ''[[Kshatria|Kshatriya]]'' varna, Nammalvar from a cultivator family, Tirupana Alvar from the ''[[Tamil Panar]]'' community, and Tirumangai Alvar from the ''Kalvar'' community.

''Divya Suri Saritra'' by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), ''Guruparamparaprabavam'' by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, ''Periya tiru mudi adaivu'' by Anbillai Kandadiappan, ''Yatindra Pranava Prabavam'' by [[Pillai Lokacharya]], commentaries on ''Divya Prabandam'', Guru [[Guru–shishya tradition|Parampara]] (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the ''Alvars'' and their works. According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. Poigai is considered an incarnation of ''[[Panchajanya]]'' ([[Krishna]]'s conch), Bhoothath of ''[[Kaumodaki]]'' (Vishnu's mace), Pey of ''[[Nandaka]]'' (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of ''[[Sudarshana Chakra|Sudarshanam]]'' (Vishnu's discus), Namm of ''[[Vishvaksena]]'' (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of ''Vainatheya'' (Vishnu's eagle, [[Garuda]]), Kulasekhara of ''[[Kaustubha]]'' (Vishnu's necklace), Periya of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]] (Vishnu's wife, [[Lakshmi]], in her aspect as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of ''Vaijayanti/[[Vaijayanti|Vanamalai]]'' (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of ''[[Shrivatsa|Srivatsa]]'' (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of ''[[Sharanga (Hindu mythology)|Sharanga]]'' (Rama's bow). The songs of ''Prabandam'' are regularly sung in several the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.<ref name="Dalal21" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC&q=poygai&pg=PA14|page=211|last=Ramaswamy|first=Vijaya|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2007|isbn=9780810864450}}</ref>

According to traditional account by [[Manavala Mamunigal]], the first three ''Alvars,'' namely, Poigai, Bhoothath and Pey belong to ''[[Dvapara Yuga]]'' (before 4200 BCE). It is widely accepted by tradition and historians that the trio are the earliest among the twelve ''Alvars''.<ref name="Rao">{{Cite book |last=Rao|first=P.V.L. Narasimha |title=Kanchipuram – Land of Legends, Saints & Temples|year=2008|publisher=Readworthy Publications (P) Ltd.|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-93-5018-104-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GTMTQLuCNSMC&q=poigai+azhwar&pg=PA27|page=27}}</ref><ref name="Dalal21" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Early history of Vaishnavism in south India|url=https://archive.org/details/earlyhistoryvai00aiyagoog|quote=poigai azhwar.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/earlyhistoryvai00aiyagoog/page/n35 17]–18|last=Aiyangar|first=Sakkottai Krishnaswami |publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1920}}</ref><ref name="James" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Book Of Vishnu|last=Krishna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f9cSlaLMlgEC&q=poygai&pg=PA136|page=136|publisher=Penguin Books India|year=2009|isbn=9780143067627}}</ref> Along with the three Saiva [[nayanmars]], they influenced the ruling [[Pallava]] kings, creating a Bhakti movement that resulted in changing the religious geography from [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]] to these two sects of [[Hinduism]] in the region. The ''Alvars'' were also instrumental in promoting the [[Bhagavata]] cult and the two epics of India, namely, ''[[Ramayana]]'' and ''[[Mahabaratha|Mahabharata]]''.<ref>[[#B.S.|B.S.]] 2011, p. 42</ref> The ''Alvars'' were instrumental in spreading ''[[Vaishnavism]]'' throughout the region.<ref>[[#B.S.|B.S.]] 2011, p. 47-48</ref> The verses of the various ''Alvars'' were compiled by [[Nathamuni]] (824-924 CE), a 10th-century Vaishnava theologian, who called it the "Tamil Veda".<ref>{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of Indian Literatures: Beginnings-1850 Volume 1 of A Dictionary of Indian Literature, A Dictionary of Indian Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YCJrUfVtZxoC&q=poygai&pg=PA15|page=15|last=Mukherjee|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=1999|isbn=9788125014539}}</ref><ref name="Garg">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World: Ak-Aq|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjDcd0cTFxQC&q=poygai&pg=PA352|pages=352–354|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|last=Garg|first=Gaṅgā Rām|year=1992|isbn=9788170223757}}</ref>

==Early life==
[[File:Yathothkari (6).jpg|200px|thumb|left|Temple tank in [[Yathothkari Perumal Temple]] where Poigai Alvar originated]]
Poigai was found in a small pond near the Yadhotakaari temple at [[Tiruvekkaa]].<ref name=M17>[[#Madhavan|Madhavan 2007]], pp. 17-20</ref> In Tamil, a small pond is called a ''poigai'', and since he was found in a pond, he got the name Poigai. At Kanchipuram there is a temple inside the Deva-sarovara lake. This temple enshrines an idol of Saroyogi in a recumbent posture with eyes closed in meditation. From childhood, Poigai was deeply devoted to Vishnu. He mastered all the Vaishnava speeches, and followed the Vaishnava tradition. He was variously known as Ayonigi, Saro-yogi, Kasara-yogi, Poigai-piraan, Saravora Munindra and Padma-muni.<ref name="Dalal308">[[#Dalal|Dalal]] 2011, p. 308</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Vaiṣṇavism: Its Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Discipline|last=Chari|first=S.M. Srinivasa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evmiLInyxBMC&q=poygai&pg=PA44|page=202|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishes|year=1994|isbn=9788120810983}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Grundriss der indo-arischen Philologie und Altertumskunde: (Encyclopedia of Indo-Aryan research)|url=https://archive.org/details/grundrissderind00bhgoog|quote=poygai.|page=[https://archive.org/details/grundrissderind00bhgoog/page/n13 4]|last1=Bühler|first1=Georg |last2=Kielhorn|first2=Franz|last3=Lüders|first3=Heinrich |last4=Wackernagel|first4=Jacob |publisher=K.J. Trübner|year=1897}}</ref>

<blockquote>
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{{center|
[[Tamil script|Tamil]] 
கைதை சேர் பூம்பொழில் சூழ் கச்சி நகர் வந்துதித்த 
பொய்கைப் பிரான் கவிஞர் போரேறு - வையத்து 
அடியவர்கள் வாழ அருந்தமிழ் நூற்றந்ததி 
படிவிளங்கச் செய்தான் பரிந்து
}}
{{Col-break}}
{{center|
[[Transliteration]] 
kaidhai ser pumpoḻil suḻ kachi nagar vandhudhiththa 
poygaip piran kavinjar poreru vaiyaththu 
adiyavargal vaḻa arunthamiḻ nutrantati 
padivilangkach seythan parindhu
}}
{{col-end}}
{{Cquote|Kanchi derives its name from Brahma, who is known as Ka; who worshipped God in this kshetram. In that famed city, in a lotus flower within a lotus pond, under the star Thiruvonam (Sravanam) which is the star of God Himself, Poigai was born. He gave the wonderful Mutal Tiruvantati pasuram, which is like a lamp that drives away the darkness of the mind and elevates the soul.<ref name="James"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Muthalam Tiruvandadhi|url=http://www.acharya.org/books/eBooks/vyakhyanam/MudhalThiruvandhadhi-VyakhyanaSaram-English.pdf|publisher=archarya.org|access-date=2013-04-21}}</ref>
| bgcolor = black
}}
</blockquote>

==Composition==
[[File:Yathothkari (4).jpg|200px|thumb|Shrine of Poigai Alvar in the temple]]
As per Hindu legend, Vishnu appeared to the ''Mutal Alvars'' (first three ''Alvars'') at [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur|Thirukkoilur]]. It was day time, but it darkened and started raining heavily. The wandering Poigai Alvar found out a small hide out, which has a space for one person to lie down. [[Bhoothath Alvar|Bhoothath]] Alvar arrived there looking for a hiding place and Poigai Alvar accommodated him, with both sitting together. In the meanwhile, Pei Alvar also came to the same place as all the three preferred to stand because of lack of space. The darkness became dense and inside the small room, they were not able to see each other. In the meanwhile, they felt a fourth person also forced his way among them. The three ''Alvars'' realised from the light of the lightning that the fourth one had a charming face that was sublime and divine. The trio could immediately realize that it was [[Vishnu]] who was huddling among them.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Poigai Alvar wished to see Vishnu's face continuously, but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning. With a view to maintain the continuity of light, he instantly composed hundred songs wishing the earth to be a big pot full of ghee like an ocean where the sun could be the burning wick.<ref name="James"/><ref name="Garg"/><ref name="Dalal21"/>

<blockquote>
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{{center|
[[Tamil script|Tamil]] 
வையம் தகளியா வார்கடலே நெய்யாக 
வெய்ய கதிரோன் விளக்காக - செய்ய 
சுடர் ஆழியான் அடிக்கே சுட்டினேன் சொல் மாலை 
இடராழி நீங்குகவே என்று
}}
{{Col-break}}
{{center|
[[Transliteration]] 
vaiyam thagaliya varkadale neyyaga 
veyya kadhiron vilakkaga seyya 
sudar aḻiyan adikke suttinen sol malai 
idarḻi ningkugave enru
}}
{{col-end}}
{{Cquote|Deeming in the world as bowl, the full sea as ghee, the fierce-rayed sun as a luminous wick, I have twined a garland of speech for the feet of Him who wields the red flaming discus so that there may be freedom from the ocean of misery.<ref>{{cite book|title=Source Book Of Indian Civilization, A|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zcyho16xzWEC&q=poygai&pg=PA412|page=412|last1=Ray|first1=Niharranjan |last2=Chattopadhyaya|first2=Brajadulal|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2000|isbn=9788125018711}}</ref>
}}
</blockquote>
The song is also interpreted as the ''Alvar'' praying to god to remove the darkness and ask for his unlimited knowledge and power. [[Bhoothath Alvar]] also sang 100 songs imagining to light the lamp constantly through ardent love for him. [[Peyalvar]] sang another 100 songs, where he described the enchanting charm of the divine face and the association of Narayana equipped with [[Sudarshana Chakra|chakra]] and [[Panchajanya|sankha]], and his divine consort, the goddess Lakshmi.<ref name="James">{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch|url-access=registration|quote=poygai.|last=Lochtefeld|first=James|page=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/515 515]|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2002|isbn=9780823931804}}</ref><ref name="chari1617">[[#Chari|Chari]] 1997, pp. 16-17</ref>

Poigai composed hundred verses that are classified as the ''[[Mutal Tiruvantati]]''.<ref>[[#Dalal|Dalal]] 2011, p. 269</ref> Poigai's composition was set in the antati style. The word anta means end, and adi means beginning. The antati style has ending word or the syllable of each verse as the beginning word of the succeeding verse and the last word of the hundredth verse becomes the beginning of the first verse, making the hundred verses a true garland of verses. The works of these earliest saints contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism.<ref name="chari1617"/> The verses of the trio speak of [[Narayana]] (another name for Vishnu) as the supreme deity and they refer frequently to [[Trivikrama]] and [[Krishna]], the [[avatar]]s of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite book|title=Prof. H. C. Raychaudhuri: As a Historian|last=Panda|first=Harihar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f1XMtc2Q97IC&q=poygai&pg=PA86|page=86|publisher=Northern Book Centre|year=2007|isbn=9788172112103}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Studies In The Religious Life Of Ancient And Medieval India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mh1y1eMgGBMC&q=poygai&pg=PA56|page=56|last=D.C.|first=Sircar|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher|year=1971|isbn=9788120827905}}</ref>

==Worship==
There is a shrine dedicated to Poigai in the [[Yathothkari Perumal Temple]] tank called ''Deva Sarovaram'' where his image is depicted in reclining posture.<ref name="Rao"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |title=South Indian shrines: illustrated |year=1991 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-206-0151-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&q=poigai+azhwar&pg=PA539|page=539}}</ref> Poigai has revered [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]] in one, [[Ocean of milk|Thirupaarkadal]] in one, [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] in ten, [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur|Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple]] in two, [[Vaikuntha]] in two and [[Tiruvekkaa]] in four verses.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nalayira Divya Prabandam|pages=14–24|url=http://projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0007.pdf|publisher=projectmadurai.org|year=1999|first=Poigai |last=Alvar}}</ref> Alvar Utsavam is a festival celebrated annually during the birth date of the saint based on [[Tamil calendar]] in the Yathothkariswami temple at Tiruvekka.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alwar utsavam |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/10/20/stories/2003102009350300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040103141336/http://www.hindu.com/2003/10/20/stories/2003102009350300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-01-03|date=2003-10-20|work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref>

==Mangalasasanam==
There are 20 of his pasurams in the Naalayira [[Divya Prabhandham]]. He has sung in praise of six temples.<ref>{{cite book | title=A Primer of Tamil Literature| last=Pillai| first=M. S. Purnalingam | year=1904| publisher=Ananda Press|location=Madras|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QIeqvcai5XQC&q=tirumalisai&pg=PA183|pages=182–83}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#FFC569"
! scope="col" | S.No.
! scope="col" | '''Name of the temple'''
! scope="col" | '''Location'''
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | '''Photo'''
! scope="col" | '''Number of Pasurams'''
! scope="col" | '''Presiding deity'''
! scope="col" | '''Notes/Beliefs'''
|- align ="center"
|- style="background:#ffe;"
|-
|1
| [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Srirangam]].
|[[Srirangam]], [[Trichy district]] [[Tamil Nadu]] {{coord|10.8625| 78.689722}}
|[[File:Srirangam14.jpg|130px|center]]
|1
|Ranganayagi Ranganathar (Periya Perumal)
|Srirangam temple is often listed as the largest functioning [[Hindu temple]] in the world, the still larger [[Angkor Wat]] being the largest existing temple. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (631,000 m2) with a perimeter of 4,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mittal |first1=Sushil|first2=G.R.|last2=Thursby|page=456|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fz6KBkgEacAC&q=The+Hindu+World+%2B+srirangam&pg=PA456 |title=The Hindu World|year=2005 |publisher=Routelge |location=New York |isbn=0-203-67414-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Vater |first=Tom |title=Moon Spotlight Angkor Wat|year=2010 |publisher=Perseus Books Group |location=USA |isbn=9781598805611|page=40}}</ref> The annual 21-day festival conducted during the Tamil month of ''Margaḻi'' (December–January) attracts 1 million visitors.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Victoria|page=4 |title=Wonders of the World Dot-to-Dot|year=2004 |publisher=Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. |location=New York |isbn=1-4027-1028-3}}</ref>
|-
|2
| [[Tiruvekkaa]].<ref name="KV70">[[#K.V.|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai]] 2001, p. 70</ref>
| {{coord|12.824|79.712}}
| [[File:Yathothkari (2).jpg|130px|center]]
| 4
| Komalavalli Yathothkari Perumal
|Tiruvekkaa or Yathothkari Perumal temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram. The temple is believed to have been built by the [[Pallavas]] of the late 8th century CE, with later contributions from [[Medieval Cholas]] and [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara kings]]. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of [[Kulothunga Chola I]] (1070–1120 CE) and one to that of [[Rajadhiraja Chola]] (1018-54 CE). The temple houses a rare image of [[Ranganatha]] recumbent on his left hand unlike other temples where he is recumbent on his right. Poigai Alvar was born at this temple lotus tank.<ref name=Chari>{{cite book|title=The Glorious Temples of Kanchi|first=T. V. R.|last=Chari|year=1982|publisher=Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam and Sarada Navaratri Kalai Nigazhchi Trust|location=Big Kancheepuram|pages=17–24}}</ref>
|-
|3
| [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur|Thirukovilur]].<ref name="KV52">[[#K.V.|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai]] 2001, p. 52</ref>
| {{coord|11.966944| 79.201944}}
| [[File:Ulagalantha Perumal9.JPG|130px|center]]
|2
| Poongothai Ulagalantha Perumal temple
|Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is believed to have been built by the [[Medieval Cholas]], with later contributions from [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagar kings]] and [[Madurai Nayaks]]. The temple covers an area of {{convert|5|acre|sqm|abbr=on}} and has a temple tower that is the third tallest in Tamil Nadu, measuring {{convert|192|ft|m|abbr=on}} in height. As per Hindu legend, [[Vamana]], a dwarf and an avatar of Vishnu, appeared here to quell the pride of [[Asura]] king [[Mahabali|Bali]]. The temple is believed to be the place where the first three Alvars, the Vaishnava saints, namely, Poigai Alvar, [[Bhoothathalvar]] and [[Peyalvar]] attained salvation. The temple is one of the Panchakanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams, the five holy temples associated with [[Krishna]], an avatar of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite book|title=Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPP7O3nb3g0C&q=vamana&pg=PA217|last1=Hoiberg|first1=Dale |last2=Ramchandani|first2=Indu |publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2000|isbn=9780852297605|page=217}}</ref>
|-
|4
| [[Vaikuntha|Paramapadam]]
| Heavenly
| [[File:Vishnu.jpg|130px|Vishnu, Lord of Vaikuntha|center]]
|2
|Lakshmi Vishnu
|Vaikuntha is the celestial abode of [[Vishnu]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Maehle|first1=Gregor|title=Ashtanga Yoga The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice|date=2012|publisher=New World Library|isbn=9781577319870|page=207|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OhYeGdNK0UoC&q=home%20OR%20abode%20%22Vaikuntha%20Vishnu%22%20-lord&pg=PA207|quote=Vaikuntha (Vishnu's celestial home)}}</ref> who is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the supreme being in its Vaishnavism tradition.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Orlando O. Espín|author2=James B. Nickoloff|title=An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k85JKr1OXcQC&pg=PA539|year=2007|publisher=Liturgical Press|isbn=978-0-8146-5856-7|page=539}}</ref><ref name="Flood 1996, p. 17">[[Gavin Flood]], ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/An_Introduction_to_Hinduism.html?id=KpIWhKnYmF0C An Introduction to Hinduism]'' (1996), p. 17.</ref> Vaikuntha is an abode exclusive to him, his consort the goddess [[Lakshmi]] and other liberated souls that have gained [[moksha]]. They are blessed with pure bliss and happiness in the company of the supreme being for all eternity.
|-
|5
| [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple|Tirupathi]]
| {{coord|13.143|79.907}}
| [[File:Tirumala 090615.jpg|130px|center]]
|10
|Alamelumanga [[Venkateswara]]
|Venkateswara Temple is a landmark Vaishnava temple situated in the hill town of [[Tirumala]] at [[Tirupati]] in [[Chittoor district]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]], India. The temple is dedicated to Lord [[Venkateswara|Sri Venkateswara]], an incarnation of [[Vishnu]], who is believed to have appeared there to save mankind from trials and troubles of ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. Hence the place has also got the name Kaliyuga [[Vaikuntham]] and Lord here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple. Lord 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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011032254/http://tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm |archive-date=11 October 2007 }}</ref> Tirumala Hills are part of [[Seshachalam Hills]] range. The hills are {{convert|853|m|ft}} above sea level. The Temple is constructed in Dravidian architecture and is believed to be constructed over a period of time starting from 300 CE. The Garbagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) is called Ananda Nilayam. It is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth.<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web | url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070026005| title=NDTV Report | access-date=13 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="CSHindu">{{cite book |last1=Sivaratnam |first1=C |year=1964 |title=An Outline of the Cultural History and Principles of Hinduism |publisher= Stangard Printers |location=Colombo |edition=1 |oclc=12240260 |quote=Koneswaram temple. Tiru-Kona-malai, sacred mountain of Kona or Koneser, Iswara or Siva. The date of building the original temple is given as 1580 BCE according to a Tamil poem by Kavi Raja Virothayan translated into English in 1831 by Simon Cassie Chitty ... }}</ref><ref name="HLtoSL">{{cite book |last1=Ramachandran |first1=Nirmala|year=2004 |title=The Hindu legacy to Sri Lanka|publisher=Stamford Lake (Pvt.) Ltd. 2004 |location=Pannapitiya|oclc=230674424|isbn=9789558733974|quote= Portuguese writer De Queyroz compares Konesvaram to the famous Hindu temples in Rameswaram, [[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Kanchipuram]], Tirupatti-Tirumalai, Jagannath and Vaijayanthi and concludes that while these latter temples were well visited by the Hindus, the former had surpassed all the latter temples by the early 1600s}}</ref> The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/30/stories/2003093003080300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003153946/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/30/stories/2003093003080300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 October 2003 |location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Ghazal programme at Tirumala temple | date=30 September 2003}}</ref>
|-
|6
| [[Ocean of milk|Tirupparkadal]]
| Heavenly
| [[File:Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu.jpg|right|[[Kurma]]|130px]]
| 1
| Lakshmi Vishnu
| In [[Hindu cosmology]], Tirupparkadal (The ocean of milk) is the fifth from the center of the seven oceans. It surrounds the continent known as Krauncha.<ref>{{cite book|first=D. Dennis |last=Hudson|title= The body of God: an emperor's palace for Krishna in eighth-century Kanchipuram|publisher= Oxford University Press US|year= 2008 |isbn=978-0-19-536922-9| pages=164–168}}</ref> According to Hindu mythology, the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] (gods) and the [[asuras]] (demons) worked together for a millennium to churn the ocean and release [[amrita]], the nectar of immortal life.<ref>{{cite web|title=Churning the Ocean of Milk by Michael Buckley|url=http://www.veloasia.com/library/buckley/churning_milk.html}}</ref> It is spoken of in the [[Samudra manthan|''Samudra Manthana'']] chapter of the [[Puranas]], a body of ancient Hindu legends. It is also the place where [[Vishnu]] reclines over [[Shesha|Shesha Naga]], along with his consort, [[Lakshmi]].
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book|title=History of People and Their Environs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crxUQR_qBXYC&q=poygai&pg=PA47|publisher=Bharathi Puthakalayam|year=2011|last1=B. S.|first1=Chandrababu|last2=S.|first2=Ganeshram|last3=C.|first3=Bhavani|isbn=9789380325910|ref=B.S.}}
* {{cite book|title=Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Āl̲vārs|first= S. M. Srinivasa|last= Chari|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|year=1997|isbn=9788120813427|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8TwHhuZrZ-wC&q=poygai&pg=PA16|ref=Chari}}
* {{cite book|title=Vishnu Temples of South India Volume 1 (Tamil Nadu)|first=Chithra|publisher=Chithra Madhavan|last=Madhavan|isbn=978-81-908445-0-5|year=2007|ref=Madhavan}}
* {{cite book|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&q=poigai&pg=PA308|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|ref=Dalal|publisher=Penguin Books India|year=2011|isbn=9780143414216}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Alvars}}

[[Category:Alvars]]
[[Category:Vaishnava saints]]
[[Category:Tamil Hindu saints]]
[[Category:People from Kanchipuram district]]

[[te:ముదలాళ్వారులు]]

Poigai Alvar - Revision history

SanjayMurugesan220 at 18:22, 22 April 2026