Thirumangaimadam Veera Narasimhar

The presiding deity of the temple in Thirumangaimadam is Veera Narasimhar with Senkamalavalli Thayar. Thirumangai Azhwar and his wife Kumudavalli Thayar performed services here. This temple is also the Kula Deivam or Family Deity for Thirumangai Azhwar and the Ellai Devatha or Guardian Deity for the area. 

The temple is a Divya Desam and also one of the five Narasimhars (Pancha Narasimhar) around Thirunangur. It is open from 9 am - 11 am and from 5 pm - 7 pm.

Thiruvaali Lakshmi Narasimhar

The main deity of the temple in the town of Thiruvaali is Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal. Thiruvaali-Thirunagari is specified as one Divya Desam but it actually refers to two different temples in adjacent towns. Thirumangai Azhwar lived in Thiruvaali after being born in Thirukuraiyalur. 

The Narasimhar is in a seated position embracing Lakshmi to the right. Since the deity is in the embraced position the place is called "Thiru Aalinganam" or Thiruvaali. This Narasimhar is one of the Pancha Narasimhar or five Narasimhas in and around Thirunaangur.

Thirukuraiyalur Ugra Narasimhar

The town of Thirukuraiyalur is the birthplace or avatara sthalam of Thirumangai Azhwar. The main deity of this temple is Ugra Narasimhar with his consorts ShreeDevi and Bhoodevi. The name of the Thayar is Amrithavalli Thayar. This temple is a Divya Desam and is also considered to be a Navagriha Parihaara Sthalam.

The Narasimhar in this temple is one of the five Narasimhas in and around Thirunangur.

Annadaanam during Ammavaasai or New Moon day in this sthalam is considered to be a parihaaram for Pitrukaryam (rites for forefathers) that was not performed. Offering prayers at this temple is believed to remove obstacles for marriage.

Thirunagari Kalyana Ranganathar

This temple is in Thirunagari town and also known as Thirumangai Azhwar temple. This temple along with the temple in Thiruvaali are together considered as one Divya Desam. 

The Thirumangai Azhwar in this temple has a Vel given by Thirugnana Sambandar. Praying to The Lord here in kalyana kolam ensures speedy marriage. Devotees offer Kalyana Nela Maalai for marriage.

The temple also has two Narasimhas - Yoga Narasimha and Hiranya Narasimha in the praharams or corridor of the temple. These two Narasimhas along with Ugra Narasimha in Thirukuraiyalur, Veera Narasimha in Thirumangai Madam and ThiruVaali Lakshmi Narasimha are the Pancha Narasimhas that Thiru Mangai Azhwar established in and around Thirunangur after seeing the Nava Narasimha in Ahobilam.

Singaperumal Koil

Location:

Singaperumal Koil is the name of a small town located on GST Road. The temple is located on a small hill and is located within minutes from the highway.

Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimhar - one of the Dasavatharam of Lord Vishnu. The temple has the Dasavatharams on the gopuram of the temple.

The main idol Lakshmi Narasimhar is believed to have appeared in the Swayambu form at this kshetra.  Pleased with Jabali Maharishi’s penance the Lord gave darshan to the Rishi.  

Additional information about the temple can be accessed from the temple’s website.

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

Srirangam Kaatu Azhagiya Singar

A visit to Ranganathaswamy temple is considered by some to be complete only on visiting the Kaatu Azhagiya Singar Temple which is within 0.5 kms from the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimhar and is located next to a cremation ground. The temple is said to be kept open till there is at least one cremation in the nearby ground. One can see a number of pictures of Lord Narasimhar in various temples across the state.

View of the Gopuram