Abhimana Kshethram in the context of Vedanta Desika


Abhimana Kshethram in the context of Vedanta Desika

⭐ Core Definition: Abhimana Kshethram

Abhimana Kshethram or Abhimana Sthalam are a list of 108 sacred Vishnu and Lakshmi temples apart from the other 108 Divya desams. Abhimana desams or close abodes, these temples are the most significant temples in the Sri Vaishnavite tradition which has similar greatness as Divya Desams. These set of temples is classified as an Abhimana Kshethram as it is mentioned in various Puranas and Ithihasas such as Ramayana and Mahabharata and have significant Sthala Puranas based on the Ithihasas and various Puranas of Hinduism. The temples are also said to be visited by many Religious scholars and saints such as Ramanuja, Adi Shankara, Madhvacharya, Nathamuni, Yamunacharya, Vedanta Desika, Manavala Mamunigal, Purandara Dasa, Narayana Teertha, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and by many other great Vedic teachers and Rishis. Some of these Temples are said to be visited by the Alvars who did not sing the god's grace due to various reasons. Out of these 108 temples Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi is considered as the 1st out of the 108 Abhimana Kshethras as Thirumangai Alvar is believed to have visited the temple and is believed to have built the tall flag post outside the temple with the help of cotton bales. The other Alvars who are believed to have visited the temple at various periods were seemingly lost in under the beauty of the presiding deity and were at a loss for words.

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Abhimana Kshethram in the context of Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi

Sri Vidhya Rajagopalaswamy temple is a Vaishnava shrine located in the town of Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Rajagopalaswamy, a form of Krishna and his consort Lakshmi, who is worshipped as Sri Sengamala Thayar. The temple is spread over an area of 9.3 ha (23 acres) and is an important Vaishnava shrines in India. The temple is called Champakaranya Kshetram, Dakshina Dwaraka (Southern Dvaraka) along with Guruvayoor by Hindus, Vanduvaraapathi and Vasudevapuri. It is considered first among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.

Originally this ancient temple was first constructed by Kulothunga Chola I at 10th century and Chola Kings Rajaraja Chola III, Rajendra Chola III and later expanded by Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century. The temple has three inscriptions from the period and also mention in the religious texts. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and seven of its nine bodies of water. The wall is celebrated in Tamil as “Mannargudi Mathil Alagu”, meaning "the beauty of the walls," highlighting its grandeur and cultural significance. The temple has a 47 m (154 ft) rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower. The temple is associated with nine theerthams (sacred water bodies): Haridranadhi, Durvasa Theertham (also called Gajendra Theertham), Thirupparkadal, Gopika Theertham (also known as Gopralaya Theertham), Rukmini Theertham, Sanghu Theertham, Chakkra Theertham, Agnikunda Theertham, and Krishna Theertham, along with the Pambani River. Among them, Haridra Nadhi, the temple tank associated with the temple is outside the temple complex and is considered one of the largest temple tanks in India.

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Abhimana Kshethram in the context of Vithoba Temple, Pandharpur

The Vithoba Temple, officially known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir (Marathi: श्री विठ्ठल्-रूक्मिणि देऊळ, Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ವಿಠ್ಠಲ-ರುಕ್ಮಿಣಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ), is a Hindu temple in Pandharpur, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the main centre of worship for Vithoba, a form of the god Vishnu or Krishna, and his consort Rakhumai. It is one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition. The temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana (Bittideva) of Hoysala Empire between 1108 and 1152 CE upon being convinced by the historical figure Pundalik. Also, there is an inscription in the temple, of a Hoysala King Vira Someshwara dating back to 1237 CE, which grants the temple a village for its upkeep. It is the most visited temple in Maharashtra. The Warkaris start marching from their homes to the temple of Pandharpur in groups called Dindi (procession) to reach on Aashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi. A dip in the holy river Chandrabhaga, on whose banks Pandharpur resides, is believed to have power to wash all sins. All the devotees are allowed to touch the feet of the idol of Vithoba. In May 2014, the temple became the first in India to invite women and people from backward classes as priests.

Although parts of the temple date to the 12th or 13th century, the existing structure mainly dates to the 17th century or later, and reflects the later Deccan style, with dome motifs and lobed arches. Attempts were made to destroy the temple by Afzal Khan, however the original central figure of the shrine was protected by the Brahmin priests Badve while Afzalkhan destroyed a similar idol.

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Abhimana Kshethram in the context of Guruvayur Temple

The Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is situated in the town of Guruvayur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Located approximately 26 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of Thrissur city, the temple stands as one of the most revered and actively visited Hindu pilgrimage sites globally. Dedicated to the deity Guruvayurappan, a beloved form of Vishnu, the temple is affectionately hailed by devotees as Bhuloka Vaikunta —the Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth. In terms of foot traffic, it is one of the busiest Vaishnava shrines in the country. Reverence for this ancient shrine is deeply ingrained in the spiritual landscape of South India, placing it among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram (honored temples) of the Vaishnavate tradition. The temple is a synthesis of profound mythology, traditional Kerala architecture, and meticulously maintained ritual practices, all centered on the loving worship of Lord Krishna.

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