Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur

Introduction

Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple is a Vishnu shrine that occupies a pride of place in the history of Vaishnavism. This is a Divyadesam, regarded as a very sacred abode of Vishnu, which many Azhwar saints have glorified in their Divyaprabhandham compositions. The temple is situated in the Thirukoshtiyur village, near Thirupatur town in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. Lord Sowmyanarayana Perumal is the processional deity, and his consort is Goddess Thirumamagal. Vishnu is said to have revealed his Narasimha form to the celestials, here. Saint Ramanuja, the great Vaishnava Acharya, preached the sacred mantra 'Ohm Namo Narayana' to the people here, and made Vaishnavism accessible even to the general public. This village is also the birthplace of Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal, a Vaishnava scholar and one of Ramanuja's teachers.

Temple Legends

Narashima is the unique man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He had to take this mighty form to destroy the deadly demon Hiranyakshipu and protect his devotee Prahlada, Hiranya's son, and the universe from the demon's atrocities. According to the legends, the Lord showed this incarnation to the Devas beforehand as per their request, but they were not satisfied. So the Lord displayed his Narasimha Avatar to the sages and the celestials once again, in all 3 postures – sitting, standing, and reclining. And this is believed to have taken place in Thirukoshtiyur. 'Thirukkai' in Tamil means hardship, and as the Lord showed these forms after hardship, this place is said to have got the name 'Thirukoshtiyur.'

This temple is also famous as the place where the great Vaishnava saint Ramanuja revealed the Ashtakshara Mantra to the general public, even defying his teacher in the process. For, he thought that this could help them all to attain salvation, though this act may land Ramanuja himself in hell! In recognition of this noble act, Ramanuja was acknowledged as Emperumanar by his teacher, meaning the 'one who is superior.' Ramanuja's life-size image is installed in the temple.

The Architecture of Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur

The temple constructed in the Dravidian architectural style is spread across an area of about 2 acres, is surrounded by a huge granite compound wall, and sports a five-tiered Rajagopuram, the entrance tower. In the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Uragamellayan Perumal is reclining on the serpent couch, similar to Lord Ranganatha of the Srirangam temple. His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are with him. Lord Narasimha can be worshipped as 2 life-size images in the temple. While one of the deities is holding Hiranyakshipu firmly, the other is slaying him. The festival deity Sowya Narayana Perumal can also be worshipped here, while Goddess Thirumagal is in a separate shrine. There are shrines for many other deities, Azhwars and saints, too. Despite this being a Vishnu temple, Shiva Linga, Ganesha and Subrahmanya are also housed here. The temple tank is quite large and is right opposite to the temple complex.

The Ashtanga Vimana, the tower above the sanctum is 82 feet tall, majestic and imposing, and it is taller than even the Rajagopuram. It is octagonal shaped, that is, has 8 parts and contains many stucco images of Narasimha, Dasavathara, and scenes from mythological stories.

Temple Festivals

The Float festival during Masi (February-March), Vaikunta Ekadasi in Margazhi (December-January), and Navaratri in Purattasi (September-October) are some of the significant festivals celebrated in this temple.

Benefits of worshipping Sowmya Narayana Perumal

Vishnu is a benevolent God who can remove obstacles in life and ensure people's welfare. It is believed that worshipping the Lord here can bring relief, among other things, in marriage delays. Devotees also pray in this temple for overall prosperity in the family.