Vishnu (Oppiliappan / Venkatachalapathi) temple · Thirunageswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Oppiliappan Temple, also called Thiruvinnagaram and formally Arulmigu Venkatachalapathiswamy Thirukkoil, is a Hindu temple to Vishnu at Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised by the Alvars, and is known as 'Bhooloka Vaikuntam', according to The Hindu and the temple.
Faith & Tradition
By legend, Lakshmi (as Bhoomi Devi), found near a tulasi plant, was raised by the sage Markandeya. When Vishnu came as an old man seeking to marry her, Markandeya said she was too young even to know how to use salt in cooking; the Lord replied that he would forgo salt. Prasadams offered to Oppiliappan are therefore still made without salt, The Hindu reports.
Dinamalar explains the names: 'Uppili Appan' (the lord without salt, 'uppu') and 'Oppili Appan' (the lord without equal). The Thirunageswaram Naganathar temple is nearby.
Heritage
The temple is administered by an Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer with a board of trustees, as noted by The Hindu.
Plan Your Visit
Confirm darshan timings with the temple office before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
A ten-day festival with Kanakabhishekam and Rama Pattabhishekam (The Hindu).
Location
The temple is at Thirunageswaram (PIN 612 204), Kumbakonam taluk, Thanjavur district.
Location: Thirunageswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu (Oppiliappan / Venkatachalapathi) temples · Temples in Thanjavur District
Questions
At Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
By legend, Vishnu promised the sage Markandeya to forgo salt to marry Bhoomi Devi.
Yes, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams, called Thiruvinnagaram.
The lord without equal; he is also called Uppiliappan, the lord without salt.
Arulmigu Venkatachalapathiswamy Thirukkoil.
Further reading: Oppiliappan Temple (Thiruvinnagaram), Thirunageswaram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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