Temple for Elder brother of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala Hills

         Sri Uppiliyappan Temple                  

        

About 7 kilometres from Kumbakonam, Vishnu shrine and may perform their vows here. All food offerings at the temple are strictly and completely saltless. Salt or any food item containing salt is not allowed in the temple beyond Garuda’s Sannidhi. It is a sin to carry salt inside the temple. Hence the Lord is also called as ‘Lavana Varjita Venkatesa’ i.e. Venkatesa who avoids salt.
There is no separate shrine for Bhoomidevi here and as already stated, Bhoomidevi is sitting with folded hands by the side of the Lord in the main sanctum sanctorum. The utsava deity oppiliappan is never taken out of the temple, without His consort, Bhoomidevi.
The temple
The Temple has a holy tank inside the temple premises. It is 1 km from ThiruNaageshwaram which is Lord Shiva Temple for doing pariharam for Rahu Dhosham. The temple has many Sannidhis for Lord Rama, Lord Garuda Azhwar, Lord Hanuman, Maniappan, Muthappan. The area for pradakshinam has many beautiful paintings of Dasavatar. It has got Gosala and garden also. There is a beautiful Temple elephant which is decorated during festival occasions.
Legend
Once Sage Markandeya prayed for children. Being pleased by his prayers, Goddess Bhumi Devi was reborn as his daughter near a Tulsi Plant. As the days passed, Lord Uppiliyappan came in disguise as an old man and sought marriage to Sage Markandeya. Rishi also accepted, but he was worried. He told Lord that his daughter is very young and does not know even to put salt in food and also does not know about household things. Lord accepted that whatever she cooked he would eat showing mercy towards the Rishi Markandeya. Marriage was held in pomp and Glory. To this day, the prasadam offered will be of without salt in order to approve the Lord’s words.
Sri Uppiliyappan Mahatyam
Lord Uppiliyappan was praised by Nammazhwar in his songs as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Muthappan, Ennappan and Thiruvinnagar appan and Opparilla Appan (means not equivalent to anybody). He is also called an elder brother of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala Hills.
Prasadam
The Prasadam is made without salt. It is told that people who eat salt inside the temple premises will be going to hell. The prasadam given without salt is very very tasty. Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam, Murukku are offered to Lord as Prasadam.
Darshan, Sevas and Festivals
The Annual Brahmotsavam will be conducted during Panguni and Puratasi Month. The Vasantha Utsavam will be conducted in Vaikasi Month. The Kalyana Utsavam will be conducted in Aipasi. Sravana Nakshatram in each month is important. Separate Kalyana Utsavam can be conducted like Tirumala. During the festivals, Lord Uppiliyappan and his consort Bhumi Devi were taken together in a pallaq. The beauty is that the Lord is always with his consort. Many marriages are held at Uppiliappan Kovil.
Composers
Thirumangai Alvar , Peyalvar , Nammalvar have composed beautiful Paasurams on Lord Uppiliappan and his consort Bhumi Devi. It is one of the compositions in Naalayira Divya Prabandha.
Travel and Stay
There are many lodges at Kumbakonam and also bus facility available from Kumbakonam to Uppiliappan Temple.