Tirukoshtiyur Sowmya Narayana Perumal

Location:

The town of Tirukoshtiyur is about 33 kms from Thirumayam near Pudokottai. The Soumya Narayana Perumal temple of Tirukoshtiyur is the first Divya Desam.

Temple:

In this temple, Perumal appears as Koothadiyan (as Nardhana Krishna in Bhooloka), Kidandhan ( as Pallikonda Bhoomi Neela Sametha Soumya Narayana in Devaloka), Nindran ( as Upendra Narayana in Indraloka) and Amarndhan ( as Paramapadanathan in Vaikunta). The last two Perumal Sannidhis can be accessed through the stairs leading all the way up to the Gopuram. The name of the Thayar in this Sthalam is Thiru Ma Magal Thayar.

There are also three forms of Narasimhar in this temple. He appears as Ugra Narasimha in the outer Praharam of the temple. The Ugra Narasimhar appears in the Yuddha pose (fighting with Hiranyakashipu) and Vadham (killing Hiranyakashipu) pose protecting Prahlada. Near the Dwajasthambam one can find Yoga Narasimhar. Lakshmi Narasimhar is at the base of the flight of stairs leading upto the Gopuram. Thus one can find Narasimhar with increasing levels of composure as one proceeds from the temple exterior to the Gopuram.

There are only three places where the Temple Gopura Vimanam is constructed as Ashtanga Vimana to match the Ashtakshara Mantra  - Uthiramerur, Koodalazhagar temple and Thirukoshtiyur. Among the three, Thirukoshtiyur temple's Vimanam has the special "Divya" taga and its Vimanam is Ashtanga Divya Vimanam. A statue of seated Saint Ramanujar can be found today near the Astanga Vimana from where He preached the Ashtakshara Mantra.

Sthala Puranam:

According to Sthala Purana, Brahma, Vishnu and Sivan met as a "Koshti" (group) in this place to discuss how Narasimha Avatar should take place. That is how the place got its name.

Saint Ramanuja learnt the Ashtakshara mantra for reaching Vaikunta - "Om Namo Narayanaya" from His Guru. The Guru had instructed Saint Ramanuja to keep the mantra a secret failing which, Saint Ramanuja would be severely punished. However, Saint Ramanuja immediately went to the Thirukoshtiyur temple gopuram and preached the mantra to everybody. His reasoning was that even if He - Saint Ramanuja,was punished, others who heard the mantra would reach Vaikunta.

The temple is open from 7.30 am - 12.30 pm and from 4.30 pm to 8 pm.

Tirukoshtiyur Temple Entrance