| Description This Divya
Desam is located at Tirukkoshtiyur , at a distance of about 10 km from Tiruppattur near Madurai. This temple is known for its
association with Ramanujar, who revealed the significance of the Narayana
Mantram to the (for the benefit of the) surrounding humanity from the top of the temple
tower here, against the wishes of Tirukkottiyur Nambi who had initiated
him. Deities: The Moolavar here is Uragamellanaiyaan in a reclining
posture facing east, while the Utsavar is Sowmya Narayana Perumaal. Taayaar here is
Tirumaamagal Naachiyaar.
The Temple: This is a temple in four levels. The first level
enshrines Vishnu in a reclining posture, in response to prayers by Kadamba Maharishi. Four
other shrines, Dakshineswara Narasimhan, Uttareswara Narasimhan, Ksheeraptinathan and
Stita Narayanan shrines portray the 'Ninra, Irunda, Kidanda, Nadanda, Koottaadiya'
(standing, sitting, reclining, walking, dancing) forms of Vishnu. The second and third
levels enshrine the standing and sitting postures of the deity.
The Ashtanga Vimanam towers (96 feet) above the Rajagopuram, and is capped with a
golden filial. The images depicting the destruction of Hiranya (the asuran) by Narasimhar
are of great beauty. Other Divya Desams with Ashtanga Vimanams are Tirukkoodal and Parameswara
Vinnagaram.
There is a shrine to Shiva (Sarabeswarar) in the form of a lingam here; the vimanam
also has several elements related to Shiva.
There are also shrines to Samhara Anjaneya, Aandaal, Rama, Santanagopalakrishnan within
the temple.
The festival images of Sowmya Narayana Perumaal and his consorts are of silver. There
are also shrines to Yoga Narasimhar, Andal, Rama, and Krishna.
Legends: The name Tirukkoshtiyur stems from the legend that the Devas
came as a congregation to worship Vishnu to request him to rid the Universe of the demon
Hiranyakacipu. . This temple is considered equivalent to Badrinath and is referred to as
the Badri of the south. Periyalwar's poems refer to this shrine as Aayarpaadi, given that
the festival commemorating the birth of Krishna was being celebrated here during the time
of his arrival.
Festivals: Saturdays in the month of Purattasi are considered sacred
here, and offerings of Pongal are made then. Six worship services are offered each day
here. The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai and the
Vasantotsavam in Vaikasi. Other festivals here are the Maasi Teppa Utsavam, Aadi Pooram,
Pavitrotsavaam, Navaratri, Adhyayana Utsavam and Vaikuntha Ekadasi. |
