Mayapiran Perumal Temple, Puliyur, Alappuzha – Literary Mention

Mayapiran Perumal Temple, Puliyur, Alappuzha – Literary Mention

Thirupuliyur Temple is one of the 108, Vishnu Temples, which are believed to be the most sacred places, spread all over India. These places are known as "Divya Desams" as the Perumals of these places were celebrated by 'Alwars' the poet saints, who were the leading lights of the Vaishnavites. The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms.

Most of the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu follow the Thenkalai tradition. This includes the important temples of Srirangam and Triplicane. Among these, 13 temples are situated in the Malai Nadu (present Kerala and surrounding areas). Out of these 13 temples, 5 temples related to Pandavas are situated in the Central Travancore or in the surroundings of Chengannur.

Nammalwar had sung 10 Paasurams on the Lord of this Temple. According to the hymns of Nammazhwar, it appears there was big city in the region. Another of the Alwars, Tirumangai Alwar has mentioned Tirupuliyur in one of his verses in his Siriya Thirumadal. Also, according to the ancient Tamil Grammar text Tholkappiam, there were 12 divisions in Tamilnadu. Kuttanadu is one among them which people now call Kuttanadu Tirupuliyur.