Thirukoshtiyur

During Satya Yuga, Rishis, devas and people were tortured, anguished by the asura Hiranyakashipu as vengeance for Hiranyaksha's death at the hands of Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha Avatar. Devas and Rishis then approached Brahma and Shiva for a solution. In response, Brahma, Shiva, all devas, Saptha Rishis decided to meet at a place to discuss the issue. Finally, all chose Thirukotiyur as the place for meeting. They came together as a group and so the name Thirukoshtiyur, koshti means in group or as a team.

Thirukoshtiyur is known for its great temple, Sowmya Narayana Perumal temple ( Thirukovil means temple ). One of the 108 Divya Desams in India. The Divya Desam are shrines of Vaishnava worship that have been glorified by the Azhwars.

Periazhwar in his work Periazhwar Thirumozhi visualizes Thirukoshtiyur as the birthplace of Sri Krishna.

Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Thirukovil, surrounded by high walls on its four sides, with a Rajagopuram (Main tower) at the entrance is spectacular to behold. The inner infrastructure, mainly sannidhis (separate shrines) are unlike other temples. Inside the temple complex, the shrine for Narayana is constructed in three stages, similar to that of three floors in a building. These stages represent Boologam (earth), Thiruparkadal and Vaikundham. Narayana appears in three stages in three forms. On the ground floor, Narayana appears as Krishna in the dancing posture. In the next level, he is seen as sayana thirukolam (sayana = reclining, thirukolam = posture), a posture resting on Adhisesha. And at the top most level, Narayana is seen standing as Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal. These forms of Narayana has been poetically described as Nindran (means Standing posture), Kidanthan (means sleeping posture), Aadinan (means dancing posture) by Alwars.

Sri Ramanuja and Thirukoshtiyur are inextricably connected in Vaishnava lore. Ramanuja was advised by Thirukachi Nambigal (Thirukachi means place and Nambigal means sage) to visit Thirukoshtiyur and learn the ' Sacred 8 letter hymn ' - Ashtakshara manthra from Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal(i.e. Thirukoshtiyur sage). Accordingly, Ramanunja travels to Thirukoshtiyr to learn the 8 letter hymn. But he is sent back each time without being taught the 8 letter hymn from Thirukoshtiyur nambigal. On the 18th time, Ramanuja arrives at the doors of Nambigal ashram and says "Adiyen Sri Ramanujan vanthurukiren..!" ( which means "Beloved student Sri Ramanuja has arrived!!") on which he was allowed to enter. The reason why Ramanuja was denied meeting the Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal the previous 17 times and allowed the 18th time is because Ramanuja introduced himself as "Adiyen Ramanujan" (means Beloved student Ramanuja ) on the 18th time unlike his previous visits when he introduced himself as "I, Ramanuja have arrived". The word " I'", which indicates his egocentrism, led Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal to reject him. When his ego vanished in word and deed during this 18th visit, he was considered eligible for learning the Ashtakshara manthram.

Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal blessed Ramanuja with the 'Sacred 8 letter hymn' Ashtakshara manthram ("Aum Namo Narayanaya!!") but asked him to not reveal it to anyone. Nambigal also warns that if Ramanuja disobeys the order, Ramanuja will attain hell. Ramanuja climbing to the top of temple, summons the whole village and delivers the Ashtakshara manthram to the people of that village. The act enkindled nambigal. When he questions Ramanuja for defying his orders, Ramanuja said if the manthram helped a lot of people to attain moksha, he was only glad to go to hell. Nambigal was overwhelmed by this kindness showed by Ramanuja and he bestowed the name "Emperumanar" on Ramanuja. This title is used to this day by those of the Srivaishnava sect. It is said the event happened in front of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami sannidhi, small shrine present on the way towards the Sowmya Narayana Perumal sannidhi.

• Ramanuja
• Divya Desams

• Thirukoshtiyur Divya Desam
• Thirukoshtiyur History and Festival Dates
• Ramanuja history
• Thirukoshtiyur
• Sri Sowmiya Narayana Perumal
• Thirukoshtiyur - Etymology and Significance

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  The Temple tank
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  Temple tower