Thiru Vaikunta Vinnagaram is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. This temple is one of the six temples situated at Thirunangur, about 8 kilometers from Sirkali, Tamilnadu. Thirunangur can be reached from Annankoil, on the Sirkali- Nagappatinam road or from Nangur Road on the Sirkali- Poompuhar route.

Legend

Swethakethu, a king belonging to the Ikshvahu heritage in which Lord Rama was born, wanted to have darshan of Lord Vishnu in His abode in Vaikuntam without shedding his mortal coil. Swethakethu performed penance along with his wife Damayanthi, with fire around them. They reached Vaikuntam but still could not have darshan of Lord Vishnu. Narada told Swathakethu and Damayanthi that they failed to see Lord in His abode in spite of their penance, as they did not resort to worshipping Lord and do charities in their life time when they were on earth. Narada hence advised them to go back to earth and do penance at Thiru Vaikunta Vinnagaram near Virajaa Theertham.

Lord Vishnu appeared at Thiru Vaikunta Vinnagaram for Lord Shiva, Swathakethu, Damayanthi, Uparisravas and Udhanga Maharishi. Lord Vishnu gives darshan here as present in His abode, Vaikuntam. Moolavar is Paramapada Nathan. He is also known as Thamarai Kannudaya Piran, as sung by Thirumangai Azhwar. Moolavar is a Salagramamoorthy and hence the experience is exquisite when Thirumanjanam in performed for Him. Utsavar here is Vaikunta Nathan and Thayar is Vaikunta Valli. Thirumangai Azhwar had sung 10 paasurams in praise of the Lord here. Udhanga Maharishi and Uparisravas had attained Moksha after worshipping the Lord here, as per the Sthalapurana.

As Lord here gives darshan as in Vaikuntam, this Divya Desam is considered equal to Paramapadam. Paramapadanathan of Vaikuntam is considered to have manifested Himself here. Virajaa Nathi in Vaikuntam is considered to have come to earth here as Virajaa Theertham, one of the theerthams here.

More details on Thiru Vaikunta Vinnagaram can be had at
www.thiruvaikuntavinnagaram.blogspot.com