Thirukostiyur (one of the 108 DivyaDesham):
Temple Timings: Monday to Friday: 6.30 am - 12.30 pm and 3.45 pm - 7.30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 6.30 am -1 pm and 3.45 - 7.45 pm
Do you know a place where the sacred mantra "Om Namo Narayana" was revealed? It is here at this Thirukoshtiyur which is around 70 km from Madurai.
Temple Timings: Monday to Friday: 6.30 am - 12.30 pm and 3.45 pm - 7.30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 6.30 am -1 pm and 3.45 - 7.45 pm
Do you know a place where the sacred mantra "Om Namo Narayana" was revealed? It is here at this Thirukoshtiyur which is around 70 km from Madurai.
Ramanujar said to be the incarnation of Sri Adishesha, was born in Sriperumbudur. He was doing Kainkaryam (service) to Ranganathan perumal at Srirangam. In his dream Sri Ranganathar appears and ask Ramanujar to go and learn the sacred mantra from Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal (who has the secret sacred mantra). It is his duty to spread this mantra to everyone to liberate all from the rebirth. Ramanujar travelled to Tirukoshtiyur to see Sri Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal to learn. At the doorstep Ramanujar said "I have come". Thirukostiyur Nambigal tells him to come again later. This happened for 17 times. Finally at the 18th time when Ramanujar said "Adiyen dasan Ramanujar Vanduirukken". "Adiyen dasan" in Tamil means "your servant", generally referred to them-self when speaking to Elders/Swami/Guru. "I" presumably signifies the ego. After hearing this, Sri Nambigal taught the sacred mantra "Om Namo Narayana" in the Lakshmi Narayana sanctum. He told that this mantra is usually taught only to the first son in the family. But he would teach Ramanujar on one condition that this mantra should not be revealed to anyone. If this is revealed, Ramanujar will go to hell.
After learning the mantra, Ramanujar goes to the top tier of the temple sanctum, calls all the villagers and tells the secret. Sri Nambigal gets angry on hearing this and tells Ramanuja is Gurudhroyi (traitor of the master) and would go to hell. For this Sri Ramanujar falls at the feet and says "Adiyen" is ready to go to hell, but not the people who heard the secret from him. Sri Nambigal realised how large hearted Ramanujar is, blessed him and gives the title "Emperumaanaar".
Moral of this is, leave your ego and be humble.
Moral of this is, leave your ego and be humble.
Sri Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal House
The fourth tier of the Sanctum tower is Bhoologa Kannan in the dancing pose. The third one is as in Thirupaarkadal sayanam (reclining pose), the second one is as in Indralokham (standing pose) and the first one is as Vaikunda Paramapadanaathan thirukolam (seating pose). Inside the sanctum lies the beautiful art that are about 1000 years old. One has to climb the stairs to view first two tiers.
Soumya Narayana Perumal along with his consorts Bhoomi, Neeladevi is gracing the devotes in the reclining pose on the serpent Adiseshan. This is Prathana Sthalam, devotees could ask the priest for the lamp which they could take home and do pooja to overcome any problem/issue in their life. Once their wishes are fulfilled they have to return the lamp to the temple.
The interesting legend is that the Trimurthis (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) decided in this spot as how to kill the demon Hiranya Kashipu. Kadamba Maharshi gave this place to Trimurthis. Trimurthis asked Kadamba Maharshi what he wanted in return for his favour, for which he replied that he needed the Perumal that was being worshiped by Indra. Here the utsavar (festival deity) is made of silver.
Outside the temple we went and saw the Nambigal stone house. Around 5 km from Thirukoshtiyur, a place by name Pattamangalam is located where Dakshinamoorthy is facing east. We had to skip this place as we had already planned our visit to other temples. Traveller plan for this if you find time.
Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple:
Temple Timings: 7 am -12 noon and 4 pm - 8 pm
Around 8 km from Madurai, at the foot of Anaimalai hill (the hill which has the shape of elephant) lies a beautiful temple dedicated to Yoga Narasinga Perumal. The shestram is Varanagiri or Gajagiri shektram.
Outside the temple we went and saw the Nambigal stone house. Around 5 km from Thirukoshtiyur, a place by name Pattamangalam is located where Dakshinamoorthy is facing east. We had to skip this place as we had already planned our visit to other temples. Traveller plan for this if you find time.
Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple:
Temple Timings: 7 am -12 noon and 4 pm - 8 pm
Around 8 km from Madurai, at the foot of Anaimalai hill (the hill which has the shape of elephant) lies a beautiful temple dedicated to Yoga Narasinga Perumal. The shestram is Varanagiri or Gajagiri shektram.
