Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur – The
Temple
Sowmya Narayana
Perumal temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a
five-tiered gopuram (gateway tower). The temple in enclosed in a
rectangular enclosure with huge granite walls. The central shrine houses the
image of the presiding deity, Uragamellayan Perumal in reclining posture on a
snake bed similar to that of Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple.
The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi are also housed in the sanctum. There two life size
images of Narasimha, the avatar of Vishnu. One of them is shown holding the
demon Hiranyakashipu and other slaying him. Though it is a Vishnu temple, the
temple has image of Shiva in the form of Lingam, Vinayaka and Subramanya.
The
festival deity is named Sowmya Narayana Perumal made of panchaloha. The vimana, the shrine over the sanctum is Ashtanga in
architecture, which has eight parts, namely, Adhistanam (base),
three Padas (structure), Prashthana (limb), Griva (leading structure), Shikara (cylindrical holder) and Stupi (top portion). The
outer parts of the vimana have various stucco images of Narasimha, sages, Dasavatara and other mythical stories.
The Ashtanga Vimana is
found in only three places, namely, the Uthiramerur, Koodal Azhagar Temple and Cheranmadevi temples. The Ashtanga vimana rising to a
height of 25 m (82 ft.) is taller than the gopuram of the temple,
which is not a common feature in Dravidian temples.
The
shrine of the consort of Sowmya Narayana Perumal, Thirumamagal, is located to
the south of the main shrine. There are smaller shrines of Lakshmi
Narasimha, Rama, Lakshmi Narayana and Krishna located close to the sanctum. The shrines of Andal, Narasimha and Manavala Mamunigal are found in separate shrines around the first
precinct.
The shrines of Garuda, Anjaneya, Ramanuja, Vedanta
Desika and Azhwars are found in the second precinct. The Ranganatha
temples in South India built during the 9th and 10th centuries have a
systematic arrangement of subsidiary deities as seen in this temple along with
the Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple at Koviladi, Veeraraghava Perumal temple at Thiruvallur, Rajagopalaswamy Temple at Mannargudi and Ranganatha temple at Srirangapatna.
The
inner infrastructure, mainly sannidhis (separate shrines) are unlike other
temples. Inside the temple complex, the shrine for Narayana is constructed in form of three stages, similar to
that of three floors in a building. This interprets as Boologam (earth), Tiruparkadal and Vaikundam.
Narayana appears in three stages in three forms. In Ground floor as Krishna in
dancing posture. Next level he is Sayana Thiru Kolam (Sayana = reclining, Thirukkolam
= posture), a posture resting on Adisesha.
And top most level in standing posture as Sri Sowmya
Narayana Perumal. This form of appearances of Narayana has been poetically
described as Nindran (means Standing posture), Kidandhaan (means
sleeping posture), Aadinan (means dancing posture) by Alwars.
In the
upper tier, we can find Moolavar, "Thiru Paarkadal Nathan" also named
as "Uraga Mellanayaan" (or) Sthiti Narayanan is found in Veetrirundha
Thirukkolam and on the either side of him is Periya and Bhoomi Piratti is
found. It is said that Utsavar, Sowmya Narayana perumal and other 3
pirattiyaar's idols are given by Indiran to Kadamba Maharishi. On the south
side of Ashtanga vimanam, a separate Sannadhi for Thirumaa Magal Naachiyaar and
on the North side, there is a separate Sannadhi for Sri Aandal is found.
In the
middle thalam (or) tier, we can see Nindra Narayanan along with Periya Piratti
and Bhoomi Piratti in Nindra Kolam and he is also named as
"Upendran". Here, we can find lots of various architectural works
pertaining to the Indra Loka scenes and Saptha Rishis. Lots of Painting and
artistic works like Dasavatharam, devas, Munis and Suriyan and Alwars are
found.
On the
outer praharam on the North side, there are two sculptures of Narasimhar is
found, which explains the Hiranya Vadham (Killing of Hiranyan). But, initially
one of the statues is kept in Narasimhar Sannadhi in the first tier and another
one is Sri Ramar Sannadhi. But, it is said that on seeing the statues of Ugraha
Narasimhar, people are frightened, so later these two statues are kept close to
the Paramapadha vaasal (entrance). Udayavar, Emperumaanar Sri Ramanujar statue
is found on the top of the Vimaanam facing the village and this sthalam is so
called as "Dhvayam (two) Vilaintha Thirupathy".
On
entering the temple is the mandapam named "Thiru Maamani Mandapam",
where Lord Shiva gives his Seva as "Sarabeswarar". He originated on
his own (Suyambu) and as a result of not caring properly; it was in the damaged
condition. On the south direction of the Mandapam, a separate Sannadhi for Lord
Narasimhar and on the North side, a separate Sannadhi for Sri Ramar are found.
It is said that in front of this Narasimhar Sannadhi only, Sri Ramanujar was
taught the "Ashtakshara Mantram" from Selva Nambi. It is a different
feature here that planets Rahu and Ketu are nearby to him.
Moolavar & Thaayar:
The
Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Uraga Mellanayaan. He gave his prathyaksham for
Kadamba Maharishi and Indiran. Moolavar in Kidantha (sleeping) Thirukkolam and
in Bhujanga Sayanam facing his thirumugham along the east direction.
Thaayar:
The Thaayar
of the sthalam is Thirumagal Naachiyaar and has her own separate Sannadhi.
Utsavar:
The
Utsavar of this temple is Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal and he is also
named as "Madhavan". Utsavar is found in Nindra Thirukkolam and
giving his Seva to the devotees.
Pushkarani:
·
Deva
Pushkarani
·
Thiruppaarkadal
Vimanam:
Ashtaanga
vimanam. This kind of vimanam is a rare one that is found only in few Sthalams
like Koodal Azhagar temple in Madurai, Vaikunda perumal koil in Kanchipuram and
in Thiruporur. Ashta means Eight and 8 vimanams are found on 4 sides (2 each)
of the temple.
Sannadhis:
·
Perumal
in three tiers
·
Ramanujar
·
Thirukoshtiyur
Nambi
·
Shiva
·
Vinayagar
·
Senai
Mudaliyandan
·
Alwars
·
Anjaneya
·
Nardhana
Krishna with Rukmini and Sathyabama
·
Thirumagal
Thayar
·
Andal
·
Sudharsana/
Chakarathalwar
·
Ramar
·
Yoga
Narasimhar
·
Lakshmi
Narasimhar and Ugra Narasimhar in the praharam
