It is considered 60th among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the major religious sites in Kumbakonam. The temple is believed to be constructed by the Medieval Cholas in late 8th century AD. According to mythology, The Lord took the form of an old man and asked from Markandeya his daughter Bhoomidevi’s hand for marriage. Markandeya said that his daughter was too young and can’t cook food and does not even know how to use salt in cooking.
To this, the Lord said that he would eat food even without salt and Lord Oppilliappan got married to Bhoomidevi here. Hence the temple name is Uppiliappan and salt is never added to the prasad cooked here.
Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Uppiliappan and his consort Lakshmi as Bhoomidevi.
You can see the 8 feet tall idol of the Lord with Bhoomidevi on the right and Markandeya Maharishi on the left. The lord is also known as Lord Venkateshwara’s brother and so those devotees who are unable to visit Tirupati to fulfil their promises can go here.
Brahmotsavam is grandly celebrated in the temple during the months of September-October.