About
three miles from
the holy city of
Kumbhakonam exists
the famous vaishnavite
temple of Uppiliappan.
The deity is known
by several names
here. The goddess
in Bhoomi Devi.
According to a legend,
Sage Markandeya
selected a place
where the Tulasi
plant grew for his
penance. He wanted
Bhoomi Devi to be
his daughter and
Vishnu to be his
son in law. In due
course the wish
was granted as Goddess
Lakshmi appeared
as a child under
 the
Tulasi tree. The
child was brought
up and much later,
Vishnu disguised
himself as an old
man requested to
marry her. Markandeya
was confused and
worshipped lord
Vishnu, who appeared
before him in his
youthful form and
decided to marry
her. During the
marriage, Markandeya
wished that the
Lord should always
reside there, that
the place be known
by Markandeya’s
name and that the
Vishnu devotees
should find those
foods also tasteful
which does not have
any salt to taste.
All the wishes were
granted. It is said
that after the wedding
ceremony Viswakarma
was ordered to construct
a temple there.
This place is thus
also known as Akasanagaram,
Tiruvinnagaram and
Markandeya Kshetram.
There are a lot
of holy teerthams
associated with
the temple.
This place is near
Kumbhakonam. The
nearest railway
station is a mile
away at Tirunageswaram.
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