Thiru Ooragam is traditionally enumerated as number 65 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.
Another divya desam at Kanchipuram is at Ooragam which is in Big Kanchipuram. Here we see Lord Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama - i.e. Ulagalanda Perumal, - the Lord who measured the world with His three steps. This temple also is close to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple. This one temple houses four divya desams viz. Peragam and Ooragam (always referred together), Neeragam, Karagam and Karvannam.
As soon as one enters the temple, the main sannidhi is that of Ulagalanda Perumal. The Lord is known as Peragathan. He is seen in a standing posture facing the west under a Srikara vimana. The idol is nearly 35 feet in height. The idol has two fingers of the right hand pointing upwards, perhaps conveying the meaning that the Lord had already covered the earth and heaven in two steps. The left hand points one finger downwards, perhaps, asking Mahabali as to where He should place the 3rd step which was promised by him. The right foot is ina lifted posture indicating that the Lord had already measured earth and heaven. The left foot is seen pressed on the head of Mahabali. To enable the devotees to have a full view of the idol, a lamp, fixed to a big stick, is lit
As Lord Vishnu placed one foot on Mahabali’s head and pressed him down to Patala, Mahabali could not see the full figure of the Lord as Ulagalanda Perumal. So to enable Mahabali to see Him in a smaller size, the Lord, in a sannidhi next to that of Peragathan, took the diminutive form of Adisesha. This shrine is known as Ooragam. Ooragam means a snake. As Adisesha is the divine couch of the Lord, these two shrines are always spoken in one breath as Peragam and Ooragam. Azhwars have sung in praise of Peragathan and Uragathan always together. Thirumangai Alvar has sung"Mathil Kachi Uragame, Peragame"referring to both these shrines as one divya desam. The consort of this deity is known as Amrithavalli Thayar. It is believed that if couples without progeny perform Thirumanjanam to the Lord, in the Uragathan shrine and offer Thirukkan Amudhu (pdyasam) as Naivedya, their wish would be fulfilled.
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