108 Divya desams, Sacred temple complex in Tamil Nadu, India.
The 108 Divya Desams form a series of temples spread across Tamil Nadu and other regions, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Each location has its own shrines, courtyards and architectural features reflecting different building styles from several centuries.
Twelve poet-saints called the Alvars traveled to these sites between the 6th and 9th centuries, composing devotional songs in Tamil. Their verses were later gathered and formed a foundation for the Vaishnava tradition in South India.
The name refers to 108 sacred sites celebrated in Tamil verses composed by the Alvars, showing the connection between language and devotion. Pilgrims move through the complex with a particular rhythm, reciting passages from the transmitted texts and linking place with word.
Most temples open early in the morning and close in the evening, with exact times varying by location. Visitors should wear modest clothing and can often watch the rituals that take place throughout the day.
Two of the 108 sites are located in celestial realms beyond the physical world according to religious texts. These unreachable places are described in the transmitted texts but not visited by pilgrims.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
