Description

The Tirukoshtiyur Soumya Narayana Perumal Temple and the village of Thirukohtiyur are of prime importance according to the history of Vaisnavism. The temple is one of the renowned 108 Divya Desams that are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the temple also has the famous Ashtanga Vimaana above the presiding Perumaal. Very few Vishnu temples have this Vimana presiding over the Perumaal. This is also the historical temple from where the author of Visishthadvaita philosophy, the great Vaisnavite Acharya and famous social reformer Shri Ramanujam addressed the holy Naraayana Mantra to everyone without discriminating anyone by their caste by sitting on this Vimanam.

History

Hiranya began to harass the Devas after becoming furious because of the benefit he acquired from god brahma and the arrogance grew. Lord Vishnu sought protection of the Devas. To settle on what action should be taken against Hiranya, lord vishnu called them for a discussion. The Devas were so frightened of the devil that they requested Lord Vishnu to keep the location of the discussion from Hiranya, for which Lord Vishnu approved. In the meantime, Kadamba Maharishi was self punishing here. But he received the boon whereby no one could interrupt his penance. So Thirukoshtiyur was selected for the discussion between the Sages and Lord Vishnu. Lord said that in order to destroy Hiranya, he would take Narasimha's Avathar. Delighted with the decision, the sages and devas pleaded the Lord to grant them the dharshan of his forthcoming Avathar. Lord was so merciful that he could not allow them the darshan.Yet, not coping up with this darshan, the Lord was begged by the devas and the sages to grant them dharshan of his other avatars too. Lord agreed and granted his sitting, standing, reclining and walking avatars. This place came to be known as Tirukkottiyur as the Tirukai (hardships) of Rishis and Devas were resolved in this place.

Importance/Significance

Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Thirukovil, is completely surrounded by high walls on its four sides, with a Rajagopuram (Main tower) at the entrance which shows the gigantic size. The inner architecture, mainly sannidhis which mean separate shrines are totally different from other temples. Inside the temple complex, there is a shrine of Narayana which is built in the form of three stages, similar to that of a three storied building. These three floors interpret Boologam which means earth, Thiruparkadal which means water and Vaikundham. Lord Narayana appears in these three stages in three different forms. In the ground floor lord narayana appears as Krishna in a dancing posture. In the Next level he is seen in the sayana thirukolam avatar, a posture which is resting on Adhisesha. And at the top most level, the lord is seen in a standing posture as Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal. This avatar of Narayana is been poetically described as Nindran, Kidanthan and Aadinan by the Alwars.

Facts/Mythology

Festivals/Events/Gatherings

The Masi Float festival is celebrated on a grand scale in February-March; Vaikunda Ekadasi is celebrated in December-January and devotees gather here to celebrate Purattasi Navarathri in the months of September-October.The temple is religiously complimented in the hymns of the celebrated Vaishnavite Saints Periazhwar, Peyzhwar, Bhoothathazhwar and Tirumazhisai Azhwar as a place where the glory of Lord Perumal was sung by the nightingales.