Historians are of the opinion that Koodal Azhagar temple finds mention in Sangam literature (3 century BCE вЂ“ 3 century CE) in works like Madurai Kanchi by Mangudi Marudan, ParipДЃб№al, Kaliththokai and Silappatikaram. Sri Madhuravalli Thayar sametha Sri Koodal Azhagar Perumal Vishnu killed Thanjakan after whom Thanjavur was named, with his Chakra, Kachamukan by taking the form of a yali, a mythical creature and took the form of Varaha the boar to kill the third demon Tantakan, who feld to Srimushnam. They grew arrogant and troubled sage Parashara who was doing penance at this place. During the Treta Yuga, there were three demons by name Tanchakan, Tantakan and Kacamukan who were blessed by Shiva became very powerful. Unlike other Divyadesams where a single shrine is referred, this set of temples is referred together in all the paasurams(poems).

The 106 earthly Divya Desam temples are spread over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Uttar Pradesh (4), Uttarakhand (3), Andhra Pradesh (2) and Gujarat (1), and Country of Nepal (1) ( Muktinath). Each of these Temples had separate shrines for Maha Vishnu and Maha Lakshmi. Each of the Divya Desam has its own significance related to Shri Vaishnava legend. In Hindu texts, these temples are often referred to as Bhooloka Vaikuntam, which in Tamil means Heaven on earth. The songs of Prabandam are regularly sung in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals. Poigai is considered an incarnation of Panchajanya (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of Kaumodakee (Vishnu's Mace/Club), Pey of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshanam (Vishnu's discus), Namm of Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of Vainatheya (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of Kaustubha (Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of Vanamaalai (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of Srivatsa (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of Sarangam (Krishna's bow). According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. According to tradition, Tirumazhisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar were from brahmin community, Kulasekhara from Kshatria community, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupanalvar from panar /farmer-weaver community and Tirumangai from kalvar community.Дivya Suri Saritra by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), Guruparamparaprabhavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jeeyar, Periya tiru mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokam Jeeyar, commentaries on Divya Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the azhwars and their works.

As per tradition, the first three alwars ( mudhal alwargal), Poigai, Bhuthathalvar, Peyalvar and Andal were said to be born out of divinity. The saints had different origins and belonged to different castes. The religious works of these saints in Tamil, songs of love and devotion, are compiled as Nalayira Divya Prabandham containing 4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified as Divya desam. Azhwars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism during the 5th-8th centuries CE. The word azhwar in Tamil, means one who immerses oneself into the ocean of the countless attributes of god. Image of Rangamannar-Andal temple in Srivilliputhur

108 divya desam list