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Location:
Tirukkottiur
near Tiruppattur (Karaikkudi)
(Pandya Naadu)
Vishnu: Uragamellanaiyaan, Sowmya Narayana
Perumal
Taayaar: Tirumaamagal
Naachiyaar
Theertham:Deva Pushkarini
Paasuram :Periyalwar, Tirumangaialwar, Bhootattalwar,
Peyalwar, Tirumazhisaialwar
Vimaanam:Ashtanga Vimanam
Travel Base:Karaikkudi
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 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 name Tirukkoshtiyur stems from the legend that
the Devas came in a group here.
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.
The festival images
of Sowmya Narayana Perumaal and his consorts are of silver. There are
also shrines to Yoga Narasimhar, Andal, Rama, and Krishna.
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.
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