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There is an Mango tree inside the famed Ekambareshwarar Shiva temple in Kanchipuram which is supposed to be more than 3500 years old & till today yields 4 varieties of mangoes (remember 4 varieties from a single mango tree), signifying the four Vedas. A legend says that, once while Lord Shiva was meditating Parvati mischievously covered his eyes with her fingers which resulted in complete darkness on earth for many years. Shiva being angered by her act cursed Parvati to go to earth for penance, so that she might realize seriousness of her folly. Parvati went to earth and created the earth linga and worshiped it under a mango tree in Kachipuram giving birth to the temple. A 3500 years old mango tree adores the sanctum having four branches each dedicated to the four Vedas. The Deity derives its name from the Mango tree from the words Eka-Amra-Natha, meaning the Lord of the Mango tree. The path to the tree has a Shiva Lingam made of around 1008 small lingas.

Suchindram temple is unique in the whole of India in that it is dedicated to the Trimurthis- Brahma,Vishnu & Shiva represented by one image in the sanctum and is called Sthanumalayan (Sthanu-Shiva; Maal-Vishnu and Ayan-Brahma).The Sanctum Sanctorum Lingam is all the Gods combined, the bottom represents Brahma, the middle represents Vishnu and the top Shiva.

Tirukazhukundram/Tiru-kalu-kundrum is famous for Vedagiriswarar temple, popularly known as Kazhugu koil (Eagle temple). The two sacred eagles appearing over the temple to worship the Lord every day are a major attraction for the visitors. They come down to a rock where sweet rice is offered as food. To watch these eagles taking the food is a rare experience. After a darshan of Vedagiriswarar, devotees eagerly await the arrival of the eagles just before noon. They wait in large numbers at a shed specially erected for the purpose. After cleaning a particular spot on the adjacent boulder, the temple priest sits down, with the food (sakkarai pongal). Two eagles, after circling around temple top, come near the priest walking. They eat the balls of rice and after cleaning their beaks in the water kept in a small vessel nearby, take off, circle around the tower again and fly off. This has been going on for centuries now. Many tales are told about the visit of the two eagles. Two rishis (sages) — Pusha and Vidhadha were cursed by Lord Siva to become eagles, for some indiscretion. It is believed that these are the two eagles that visit Thirukazhukundram daily for time immemorial, in order to worship Siva and to obtain salvation from His curse. It is said that after a bath in the Ganges in the morning, they come here at noon for food, reach Rameswaram in the evening for darshan and return to Chidambaram for the night. Legend says they would regain their original form and attain moksha (salvation) at the end of Kali Yuga. Hence this place derived the name `Tirukazhu(gu)kundram' (the hill of the sacred eagles) and also Pakshi Thirtham (in Sanskrit), meaning "water made Holy by the visit of the birds". Tirukazhukundram is near Chennai, TamilNadu.

Suchindram is also famous for a sculpture the female form of Ganesha called the Vigneshwari, and also for a gigantic 18 feet Hanuman. Suchindrum is near Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.

: Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple dedicated to lord Shiva on the Shivagange hills is unique & one of its kind, in this temple if one offers ghee, the priests apply the ghee on the Shiva lingam & rub on it and the ghee turns to butter miraculously, No technology can convert ghee back to butter, but here it’s possible, Infact many devotees carry ghee from there homes to the temple & watch it turn into butter, the whole thing happens in front of one’s eyes. Shiva Gange hills are situated near Bangalore, Karnataka

: The ‘Sanctum' of the Vadakumnathan Shiva temple, Trissur, Kerala has a huge ‘Linga' of Lord Shiva. This however, cannot be seen as it is covered by the traditional ‘Abhishekams' with ghee by devotees over the centuries. Over the Linga, generations of devotees have poured ghee by way of offering, which is never removed, has solidified into a pyramid. With continuous ‘Abhishekam' with ghee over the years, it has the appearance of a mound of ghee almost three metres around the core of the Linga. It is strange that the ghee does not melt even in the hot tropical climate of Kerala or with the heat of the hundreds of bright oil lamps burning nearby. The ghee mound does not get spoilt even though it is a collection of several hundred years. Small scrappings of this solidified ghee are given to devotees as ‘Prasada', which is believed to have medicinal and curative properties.

Not many know that Robert Clive, the Chief architect of the British Empire in India, was a great devotee of the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. Infact he had gifted a precious ornament called the Magarakanthi, which the temple still has & adorns on the God occasionally. The Grand Varadaraja Perumal temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu.

In this temple Salt is not allowed inside the temple & neither is it used in any food preparations, as the lord had promised that he would partake food without salt in this sthalam. But surprisingly, the temple prasadams like Puliyogara (tamarind rice), Pongal (rice & pulses kichdi), Dhadhyonnam (curd rice) etc taste just as it would if salt were to be added, when you eat it you realise that there is no salt, but you won’t miss the taste. This temple Perumal is considered to be the Annan (elder brother) of Tirupati balaji, if you are unable to visit Tirupati, visiting this temple & offerings to the hundi is considered to be the same as visiting Tirupati. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. Oppliliappan Kovil is around 5kms from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

Every Vishnu temple will a door called Vaikunta Dwaram, which is opened only on two days, Vaikunta Ekadasi & Vaikunta Dwadasi. It is believed that anybody (whether a sinner or a sage) having darshan on these days through this door means entering Vaikuntam & attaining moksha. But Srirangam does not have a Vaikunta Dwaram because this temples is in itself Booloka Vaikuntam (Heaven on Earth). Srirangam is the first & foremost among the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu.

In the Erikaatha Raama temple, Madhuranthagam, we can see Lord Raama holding Seetha’s hands, Now you may wonder what’s so unique, Well, just think of any God, any temple, can you recollect any God holding his Consort’s hand ! Another legend says that during the British colonial times, the water level in the Maduranthagam reservoir (which incidentally supplies drinking water to Chennai) was in the verge of being breached. And the British governor of Chennai had supposedly prayed in this temple for the safety of the place. And the god obliged. Hence the name Eri kaatha Raamar Eri=lake/reservoir & Kaatha=safegauarding. Madhuranthagam is near Chennai, TamilNadu.

Usually one finds a small Shiva shrine in a major Vishnu temple Or a small Vishnu shrine in a major Shiva temple. But only in one place can we find two gods equal in one major temple. In Chidambaram, Shiva manifests as Nataraja & is one of the Pancha bhoota shtalams. In the same temple almost facing him is Lord Vishnu giving darshan in his sleeping form as Govindaraja Perumal (One of the108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu). Both the Gods almost face each other. Infact in one particular spot (clearly marked on the floor) we can have darshan of both Shiva & Vishnu.

Lord Karthikeya or Murugan temple in Thirupparankundram is the only temple where Muruga is giving darshan sitting; generally Muruga is depicted standing in all temples, never sitting or sleeping, in Kukke Subramanya, he is found riding his peacock. Only in Tiruparankundram can we find Muruga in a sitting pose, because it is his Wedding Pose (Kalyana Tirukolam). Tiruparankundram is near Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

There is a unique speciality regarding the stone idol of Garuda.This Kal Garuda’s weight doubles every few steps when taken out for a procession, until he steps out of his sannathi he can be easily carried by 4 persons. Then inside the temple his weight would increase as to be carried by 8 persons, then further outside the praharam he would weigh heavy so that 16 persons are required to carry him, then 32 persons carry him. Totally outside the temple not even 64 persons are enough to carry him, he would get heavier and heavier ahead. He would sweat a lot too so that his cloths get drenched in the sweat. But after the procession is over, while returning to his sannadhi he would start losing his weight (step by step) or (stage by stage). This is a remarkable wonder that takes place only at this place. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. Another unique feature of this temple is that all 108 Divya Desam idols are there in this temple. Tirunarayur/Nachiyar Kovil near Kumbakonam, TamilNadu.

Since Lord Vishnu likes the flowers worn By ANDAL, Srivilliputtur Andal temple sends the flowers adorned by her to TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS for the annual BRAHMOTSAVAM of SRIVARI. Only after the flowers, (which have come from Srivilliputtur) are adorned on the Main deity, does the DWAJAROHANAM ceremony begins (Indicating the start of the 9 day BRAHMOTSAVAM). This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. This temple is near Madurai.

The Rajagopuram of the Sriviliputhur Andal Vatapatrasayee temple is the official emblem of the state of Tamil nadu. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. This temple is around 75kms from Madurai.

The Rajagopuram of Pundarikaksha Perumal temple, Tiruvellarai, Nr Trichy (One of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu) is in an unfinished state till today. The Rajagopuram was being built by the Vijayanagar Kings, when they lost the final battle at Talikota (Rakkasa Tangadi) against the Decan Sultanate, sounding the death-knell to the last great Hindu kingdom in South India. The work on the Rajagopuram stopped, never to be revived again. It is a pity that the great Vijayanagar Emperor Sri KrishnaDevaRaya couldn’t finish the temple work, though he has built some of the best & still preserved Rajagopurams in South Indian temples like Tirupati, Tiruvanamalai, Srikalahasti, Kanchipuram etc. Though efforts have been made, till date the rajagopuram has not been completed.

Vittobha, Pandharpur, One of the rare temples where everyone is allowed to touch the main deity’s feet, irrespective of caste & creed.

In Prahalada Varadhan Perumal Temple, Ahobilam, Lord Vishnu gives darshan as Narasimha (half man-half lion), In this kshetram, he gives darshan as Narasimha in Nine forms, ie., Ugra Narasimhar, Krodha Narasimhar, Jwala Narasimhar, Malola Narasimhar, Chathravata Narasimhar, Yogananda Narasimhar, Bhavana Narasimhar, Karanja Narasimhar and Barghava Narasimhar. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu, and one of the only two divya desams found in Andhra Pradesh, the other being Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Only in Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum & Adi Keshava Perumal temple, Tiruvattaru can one see Vishnu through three doors, the idols in both the temples are huge & we have to see them through three doors, One door for his face, one for his chest & mid portion & the last one for his lotus feet. Infact only on Vaikunta Ekadasi day can we see him fully through a separate door, Vaikunta Dwaram. Both the temples are part of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu

Vishnu gives a unique pose by lifting one leg up in the sky & the other on earth, like a Gymnastic pose in three temples, this is basically of the Vamana Avatar where in Vishnu measured the three worlds in three steps, He gives darshan in this pose in three temples, Ulagalantha Perumal Kovil, Kanchipuram, Nr Chenai, Trivikrama Perumal Kovil, Sirkazhi, Nr Chidambaram & Trivikrama Perumal Kovil, Tirukovilur, Nr Tiruvanamalai, three temples for three steps. All the three temples are a part of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. Tirukoviloor is near Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.

A major Vishnu temple, Adi Varaha Perumal temple (One of the108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu) is found inside the famed Kamakshi Amman temple in Kanchipuram, a unique feature found nowhere else.

In the Kaala Megha Perumal temple in Tirumoghur, Lord Vishnu is giving Darshan as Mohini. Vishnu assumed the female Mohini avathar to distribute the Amritham/Nectar among the devas & the asuras. This is the only temple where one can view Vishnu in the female form. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. Tirumoghoor is around 8kms from Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Generally MahaVishnu is depicted sleeping on his right hand (in movies, photos, paintings etc), Adi Keshava Perumal temple, Tiruvattar is the only place where he is giving darshan sleeping on his left hand. The positive energy & vibrations flowing out of the sanctum sanctorum only have to be felt, one cannot explain in mere words.This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. The temple is constructed in such a manner that the sun's rays fall on the feet of the deity's image from the third to the 8th day of the tamil month of Panguni and on the 3rd and the 4th days of the tamil month of Purattaasi. Another speciality of this sthalam is the way in which the perumal is positioned. He is found in such a way that everyday he gives his seva to Chandran, the moon god. During the setting of sun, the rays of the sun is falling on the Moolavar's face as though it says that it will leave today and come tomorrow. After the sun sets, the moon appears (or) rises from the same direction where the sun sets and first sees the Moolavar and gets his dharshan. Tiruvattaru is located between Kanyakumari & Trivandrum, near the famous Padmanabhapuram Palace, Tamilnadu-Kerala border.

Lord Vishnu is depicted with his discus Sudharshan Chakram on his right shoulder & his conch Panchajanyam on his left shoulder. Only in the Trivikrama Perumal temple in Tirukoviloor, these two weapons are interchanged; the chakra in on his left & the Panchajanya is on his right. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. Tirukoviloor is situated around 35kms from Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu.

Among the various differences between God & man, it is generally it acepted that Gods dont have moustache, Gods don’t blink their eyelashes & Gods don’t sweat. But in the Triplicane Parthasarathy temple, Lord Vishnu gives darshan as Krishna, the charioteer of the Kurukshetra War. In this temple Lord Krishna sports a moustache, & has his Conch, the Panchajanya in his hands unlike on his shoulders. His face bears the scars, which were the arrow marks from Pitamaha Bheeshma’s bow. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu.

Triplicane Parthasarathy temple is the only temple where three generations are present in the Sanctum sanctorum. Here Lord Krishna gives darshan along with Balaram (elder brother), Rukmini(consort), Pradhyumna (son), and Aniruddha (grandson). Nowhere can you see such a spectacle. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu Triplicane is in the heart of Chennai city.

Generally Lord Shiva is the only god to have the third eye (netrikkan) on his forehead, This is the only place where Vishnu is giving darshan having have the third eye (netrikkan) on his forehead, here Devanatha Perumal represents Lord Brahma having the lotus flower in his hand and representing Lord Shivan having the eye in his fore - head and representing Sri Vishnu along with Shankk and Chakram. This temple also has huge image of Lord Hayagreeva, Vishnu with a horse face, he is the supreme lord of knowledge & was supposed to be the Guru for Saraswati. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu. Tiruvahindrapuram is near Cuddalore, TamilNadu

In Tirunageshwaram temple, Milk abhishekam is perfomed for Lord Raahu during Raahu kaalam & when the milk is poured over Rahu idol, it miraculously changes to blue colour & becomes white again as it flows down from the idol. People having Rahu dosha come here during Rahu kalam and perform Abishekas. This temple is one of the 9 Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu. Tirunageshwaram is about 5kms from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.