Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur

Sthala Purāṇam

Thirukoshtiyur, in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, enshrines Sowmya Narayana Perumal, whose moolavar is also called Uragamellanayan, in a reclining posture on the serpent bed with Sridevi and Bhudevi; the Thayar is Thirumaamagal Nachiyar (Lakshmi), with a shrine south of the sanctum, and the temple has a pushkarani tank. The sthala puranam tells that when the asura Hiranyakashipu, blessed by Brahma, oppressed the devas, the gods and sages assembled here as a 'koshti' (group/council) to entreat Vishnu; from this gathering the place took the name Thirukoshtiyur. Vishnu then manifested as Narasimha and, at the devas' repeated request, revealed three Narasimha forms here - standing, seated and reclining - and slew Hiranyakashipu. The temple is most famous in Sri Vaishnava history for Ramanuja: his acharya Thirukoshtiyur Nambi imparted to him the sacred Ashtakshara (Tirumantra, 'Om Namo Narayanaya') only after eighteen journeys from Srirangam, on the condition of secrecy. Moved by compassion, Ramanuja climbed the temple gopuram and proclaimed the mantra to all people regardless of caste; though warned he would go to hell, he answered that he gladly would so that all might be saved. Nambi, far from cursing him, conferred on him the title Emperumanar, and a life-size image of Ramanuja stands in the Ashtanga Mandapam. Five Alvars sang here - Periyalvar, Thirumangai Alvar, Thirumazhisai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar and Peyalvar. The temple is renowned for its rare Ashtanga Vimana, one of only three such vimanas, and a five-tiered rajagopuram.

Gallery

Tap an image to view it larger — use ‹ › to browse, ✕ to close. Images via Wikimedia Commons.

Plan your visit

📍 10.06083, 78.56000

Routes, distances, hotels and restaurants open in Google Maps with live data. Build a phased pilgrimage plan →