Arulmigu Sowmyanarayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.
20, October 2011.
Visited this temple second time on Jan 7th 2023 and long wish of worshiping Maha Vishnu of the Middle and top level was fulfilled. This is one of the 108 Divyadesam of Vishnu Temples. Mangalasasanam was done by Peyalwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Periyalwar and Thirumangai Alwar.
வண்ண மாடங்கள் சூழ் திருக்கோட்டியூர்
கண்ணன் கேசவன் நம்பி பிறந்தினில்
எண்ணெய் சுண்ணம் எதிரெதிர் தூவிடக்
கண்ணன் முற்றம் கலந்து அளறு ஆயிற்றே. (2)
…… Periyalwar Thirumozhi
எங்க ளெம்மிறை யெம்பிரா னிமையோர்க்கு நாயகன், ஏத் தடியவர்
தங்கள் தம்மனத்துப் பிரியா தருள்புரிவான்,
பொங்குதண் ணருவி புதம்செய்யப் பொன்களே சிதறு மிலங்கொளி,
செங்கமல மலரும் திருக்கோட்டி யூரானே.(2)
…… Thirumangal Alwar
குறிப்பெனக்குக் கோட்டியூர் மேயானை யேத்த.
குறிப்பெனக்கு நன்மை பயக்க, - வெறுப்பனோ
வேங்கடத்து மேயானை மெய்வினைநோ யெய்தாமல்,
தான்கடத்தும் தன்மையான் தாள்
……..Thirumazhisai Alwar Nanmukhan Thiruvanthathi
விண்ணகரம் வெஃகா விரிதிரைநீர் வேங்கடம்,
மண்ணகரம் மாமாட வேளுக்கை. மண்ணகத்த
தென்குடந்தை தேனார் திருவரங்கம் தென்கோட்டி,
தன்குடங்கை நீரேற்றான் தாழ்வு. 62
…… Peyalwar MoonRRam Thiruvanthathi
Moolavar : Sri Uragamellanaiyan aka Panna Mrithu Sayi &
Sowmya Narayana Perumal
Thayar : Sri Thirumamagal
Some of the important features of this temple are…..
The Temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is in front of the temple. Sannadhi for Emperumanar both moolavar and Urchavar, Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal, Shiva Sannadhi, Bhavishyath Acharyamurthy ( worshipped by Nathamuni and Yamuna Muni ), Chakkarathalwar, Alwars sannadhi, Narthana Krishna with Rukmini & Sathyabama,
Kannan, Narasimhar and Ramar sannidhi are on the back side. There is also a sannadhi for Narasimhar with Hiranyakasipu. Narasimhar is with ashtabujam / eight arms. Ramanujar’s idol is on the top of the Vimanam facing Thirukoshtiyur. From that point Thirukoshtiyur Nambi’s residence can be seen.
On the northern side of Thayar Sri Thirumamagal and sannadhi for Sridevi & Bhoodevi Samedha Sri Narasimhar with 4 hands. Also sannadhi for Srinivasa Perumal and Varadharajar. In the prakaram Sannadhi for Andal, Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal, Ramanujar, Ramar, Yoga Narasimhar and Mahamaha well is on the esanya direction in the temple complex. Two Chariots are in this temple.
The Vimana is constructed in three levels. The Perumal is in these three levels, ie Nintran, Irunthan & Kidanthan. In the Lower level Maha Vishnu is reclining posture like Thiruparkadal, keeping the head on the south side with Sridevi and Bhudevi. In the same sanctum Brahma is with his three consorts Savithiri, Gayathri and Saraswati, Kadamba Maharishi, the Demons Madhu and Kaidabar are at his feet, Indra, Kasi Maharaja, Chandra’s grand son Pururava Chakravarthi, Garudan and Naradar.
In the middle level, the sannadhi of Upendra Narayana with Sridevi and Bhoodevi in standing posture. Only thaila kappu will be done instead of abhishekam and the walls are with beautiful paintings.
Upendra Narayana with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
And in the third level sannadhi for Sridevi and Bhoodevi Samedha Sri Para Vasudevan also called as Paramapatha Nathar.
Stucco image ofSridevi and Bhoodevi Samedha Sri Para Vasudevan on the Vimanam
The Utsava murti is called Sowmya Narayana Perumal. Hence the temple called in the name of Utsavar.
Utsavar on the 10days Vaikunda ekadasi celebration
ARCHITECTURE
The temple measures 472 feet by East- West and 270 feet by South – North. The Rajagopuram is 85 feet high and Ashtanga moolavar vimanam is 96 feet high. The golden Kalasa is 6 feet 9 inches circumference. The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, Ardha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam with Kannadiariai in which Urchavars Anjaneyar, Ramachandra Murthy with Sita and Lakshmana are kept. Ekadasi mandapam is in front of maha mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipedam and Garudalwar sannadhi are in front of Ekadasi mandapam.
Old Photo Thanks to The Hindu
The ashtanga Vimana is above the sanctum Sanctorum. The second and third level are one above the other. Each level was constructed like individual sannadhis with adhisthanam, Bhitti and prastram. The top level the area is reduced compared to the first two levels. From greevam to sigaram was constructed with brick. The second and third level sannidhis are with circumambulatory path santharam around the sanctum sanctorum and jalas are provided for ventilation and lighting. Looking from out side, it is like floors over the floors, with koshtas, Vishnu kantha pilasters, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palagai and pushpa pothyal. Kunjara stambas are shown between pilasters. It seems that the temple was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period.
Shiva’s sannidhi is at the entrance of Perumal temple, which has Dwajasthambam / kodimaram and Rishabam, inside the complex.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per Sivaganga District tholliyal Kaiyedu published by Archaeological department, the temple existed before 8th – 9th Century may be during early Pandyas. The Natrinal Twohundred eleven ( 211 ), was composed by Nallanthaiyar, who belongs to this Place thirukoshtiyur. The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Pandyas, Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Thanjavur Kings.
The 9th Century vattezhuthu inscription is the earliest, which belongs to Srimara Srivallaban. The inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a Lady, who belongs to Kannikudi of Kiliranyamuttam. Inscriptions are also found on the pillars of Nachiyar Temple. As per the 12th Century inscription Perumal on the lower level, was called as Kerala Singa Perumal. During 13th Century, latter period Pandyas, the temple was flourished once again and Perumal was called as Chokka Narayana Perumal. The Nattars who belongs to this place ensured the poojas to Perumal through the income from distribution.
During Sundara Pandya period endowment was created to recite Thirumozhi in the month of Margazhi, for which donations were made.
During Veerapandya period an endowment was created to conduct 5 days Vasantha utsavam by one Sadagoban.
The temple tank was excavated by Thandavaraya Pillai who was working with Sivaganga King as Minister and astrologer. Hence the tank was called as josiyar kulam.
The inscription in the Shiva Sannidhi ( drd SS1601 – 1679 ), records the gift of Lands to this temple by Raghunatha Thirumalai Sethupathi.
May be Pandya inscription on the steps leading to 2nd Level
Vijayanagara period inscription
LEGENDS
The sthala purana is the story of Killing Hiranyakasipu by Vishnu in the form of Narasimhar. Hiranyakashipu got a boon, that he should not be killed in day or night, inside or outside the room, the killing person should not be a man or animal. Hence Vishnu took the form of Narasimhar ie the with the Lion head, sitting on the door frame of a room at the time of dusk and killed him with his bare hands. Since Maharishis in the form of crowd or “Koshti” went and gave complaint to Vishnu, hence this place was called as Koshtiyur.
Narasimhar tearing Hiranyakasibhu
It is believed that Shiva, is in the form of sarabeswarar, who tried to calm down Maha Vishnu after Killing Hiranyakasibu.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regualar poojas, special poojas are conducted on 10 days Vaikunda ekadasi. During that time Prumal will be taken in procession through the “paramapatha vayil”. Ramanujar will join in the Mukha mandapam.
Paramapatha vayil, which will be opened during 10 days vaikunda Ekadasi celebration
In addition to this, Masi month Teppa utsavam, and Navaratri are celebrated in grand manner. During Teppa Utsavam, devotees lit lamps and take it to their houses and worships daily. It is believed that, by doing so, the family will be happy and prosperous.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Madhavan Swamy 9443341163, Ramanujan 9443924925 and Raja +91 4577 261103 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The temple at Thirukoshtiyur is on the main road between Thirupathur and Sivaganga and all the buses stops near the temple.
Thirukoshtiyur is 9 KM from Thirupathur and 29 KM from Sivaganga and 63 KM from Madurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Sannidhis on the southeast corner view from the ashtanga Vimanam
Thirupallithama medai - Garland making platform
Krishna with Bama Rukmini
May be Chakrathalwar .. or Suryan
First Sannidhi immediately after the Rajagopuram
A Dravida Vimana from Adhisthanam
Sculptures on the Rajagopuram
Sculptures on the Rajagopuram
Sculptures on the Rajagopuram
Rajagopuram
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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