TemplesHQ Editorial
April 5, 2026 · 9 min read
The 108 Divya Desams are Vishnu temples celebrated in the hymns of the twelve Alvar saints, compiled in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham ("Four Thousand Sacred Verses"). Completing the full pilgrimage circuit — from Srirangam to Badrinath, from Tirupati to Nepal — is the supreme aspiration of Srivaishnava devotees.
Geographic Distribution
Of the 108, 105 are in India: 84 in Tamil Nadu, 11 in Kerala, 2 in Andhra Pradesh, 2 in Uttar Pradesh, and one each in Uttarakhand and Maharashtra. One temple — Thirupparkadal — is in the cosmic ocean and is purely symbolic. One is in Nepal (Muktinath).
Where to Begin
Most pilgrims begin at Srirangam (Ranganathaswamy), the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world, located on a river island in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Its 21 gopurams and 81 shrines can alone occupy a full day of reverent exploration.
Planning the Circuit
A complete circuit of all 108 temples typically takes 45–60 days. Most organised tours cover the Tamil Nadu cluster (84 temples) in 18–21 days. The Uttar Pradesh temples (Ayodhya, Naimisharanya) and Badrinath require separate planning due to distance and seasonal accessibility.