The divine presence of Lord Vishnu extends across the expanse of the country, from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari. Numerous temples, dedicated to God Vishnu, also known as Sthalams, are scattered throughout.

Among these, the Divya Desam Temples hold particular significance. These 108 Vishnu temples are mentioned in the works of Tamil Azhvars (saints). “Divya” translates to “premium,” and “Desam” denotes “place” or “temple.” Of the 108 temples, 105 are situated in India, one in Nepal, and the remaining two transcend earthly realms—Thirupalkaddal, the ocean of milk, and Paramapadam, the divine abode of Lord Narayana. The Divyadesams are venerated in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses by the 12 Azhvars.

While most Divyadesams adhere to the Thenkalai mode of worship, some follow Vadakalai and other traditions. They are categorized into seven regions:

1. Thondai Naadu Temples
2. Chozha Naadu Temples
3. Nadu Naadu Temples
4. Pandiya Naadu Temples
5. Malayala Naadu Temples
6. Vadu Naadu Temples
7. Vinnulaga Thiruppathigal

The idols of Lord Vishnu in these Divyadesams are found in three positions:

1. Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping Position) – 27 Divya Desams
2. Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting Position) – 21 Divya Desams
3. Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Position) – 60 Divya Desams

Within these 108 Divyadesams, Lord Vishnu faces one of the four cardinal directions: east, north, south, and west. Based on this orientation, the Divyadesams can be classified as:

• Towards the East direction – 79 Divya Desams
• Towards the West direction – 19 Divya Desams
• Towards the North direction – 3 Divya Desams
• Towards the South direction – 7 Divya Desams