We went to this temple on 10th January 2020 after visiting Utharakosamangai temple on 9th January 2020.. I have written about Utharakosamangai temple in my previous post.

Sri Sowmya Narayana Temple in Thirukoshtiyur is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams mentioned in the work of Alwars. Divya indicates divine and desam indicates place of Abode.

On entering the temple is the “Thirumaamani Mandapam”, where the sanctum of Lord Shiva is situated and he is known as “Sarabeshwarar”. He is said to be a Suyambu ( on his own ). The shrine for Sri Narayana is constructed in form of three stages, or in three tiers. This signifies as Boologam (earth), Thiruparkadal and Vaikundam. Narayana appears in three stages in three forms as Nindran ( Standing posture), Kidanthan ( sleeping posture), Aadinan (dancing posture) . In Ground floor we can see him as Krishna in a dancing posture. Next level after climbing a few stairs, is the main sanctum and we can see Sri Narayana in a sayana thirukolam resting on Adhisesha and he is called as Uraga Mellanayaan . And top tier we can see him in a standing posture as Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal.
The Shrine Vimanam of Moolavra is Ashtanga in architecture. Ashtanga is eight parts Adhistanam (base), three Padas ( Structure), Prasthana ( Limb), Griva (Leading structure), Shikara ( Cylindrical Holder), and Stupi (top portion)

There are two life size images of Narasimhar , one is holding Hirnayakshapu and the other is slaying him. The shrine of the consort of Perumal, ThirumaMagal is on the south side of Perumal.

Emperumanar Sri Ramanujar is found on the top of Vimhanam facing the village.

A guide takes us by the steps to the top of the vimahanam explaining the details. he may ask for some tips at the end. the temple was under renovation when we went.

There are also separate Sannadhis for Ramanujur, Thirukottiyur Nambi, Vinayagar, Senai Mudhalianadan, alwars, anjeneya, Nardhana Krishnar, Rukmani, Sathyabama, Andal, Chakratha alwar, Ramar and Yoga Narasimmar.

As per Legend Khadamba Maharishi was observing penance at this shrine for dharshan of Vishnu. He had obtained a boon that no disturbance would be caused at the place where he was observing penance. 

Hiranya Kashipu was tormenting the Devas and Rishis because he had taken a boon that he should not have death from Devas, Manushya, Bird, Animals, any living being or weapon. the boon also added that his death will not be Night nor day, Neither inside the house nor outside the house. With this back ground once he threw a Bhootha in front of Kadambha Maharishi’s Ashram. Kadambha Maharishi got angry and gave a shapa that if at all the Hiranya Kashipu comes near that spot his death will take place. Hiranya Kashipu was thinking Narayana was the enemy number one. He tormented the Devas and Rishis. Devas and Rishis went to Brahma and Rudhra and they all went to Sriman Narayana . Sriman Narayana told that Asura Hiranyan is none other than his former Dwarapalaka. They decided to assemble at Thirukoshtiyur which was the place where Kadambha Maharishi lived. Since all the Devas and  Rishis assembled in Goshti ( Group) at Kadambha Maharishi’s Ashram, this place came to be known as Thirukoshtiyur. It was decided that a Nithya Asuri named  Shankarnan will be born in the womb of Kayathu the wife of HiranyaKashipu and will be known as “Prahalada”  and Naradhar will bring them to this Kadambha Maharishi’s ashram and do the Upadesham of Moola mantra in the womb itself. When Prahalada was in the womb of Kayathu, Naradhar did the Upadesham of Ashtakshra to Prahalada , and Prahalada was chanting only Narayana namam always. As this reached Hiranya Kashipu’s ears, he started troubling Prahalada . One day Hiranyan became angry and asked where is your  Narayanan, for which Prahalada replies Narayana is present everywhere. Hiranyan shows a pillar and asks whether his Narayana is present here. Prahalada tells yes, he is present in the Pillar, and when Hiranyan strikes the Pillar, Lord Narayanan comes in in the form of Nara Simha (He was neither man nor Lion) , it was twilight time( Neither day nor night) Then he lifted Hiranyan and carried him to the Nelapadi ( Door frame of main door) ,placed Hiranyan in his thighs and tore open his stomach and killed him. On Prahalada’s  request he gave darshan in Yoga Narasimha Form. The place where Lord slew the Hiranyan is just 5 Km from Thirukoshtiyur and the place is now known as Pattamangalam. These is the place where Kadambha Maharishi’s Ashram was there. At the request of Kadambha Maharishi Perumal stayed in Thirukoshtiyur as Madhavan, Sowmiya Narayan.

HISTORY

Ramanuja Dasan is a great religious philosopher of all time.Once he was so eager to discover the meaning for a secret mantra which would lead to heaven after his death. So he approached his guru, Nambi, living in Thirukottiyur. The very moment he reached the doorsteps, he knocked on the door and cried, “Nan Ramanuja Dasan” ( “I’m Ramanuja Dasan here”). But, Nambi refused to grant his request and replied back to him, “Nan setta piragu vaa” (“Come back after I die”). Ramanuja Dasan was confused with Nambi’s response but wasn’t in the mood to give up. So, he tried visiting him back the very next morning and he got back the same answer from Nambi saying, “Go back now and come back after I die.”

This continued for 17 times. Ramanujar will travel all the way from Srirangam to Thirukoshtiyur every time. Ramanuja Dasan got fed up and started to think what was wrong with him for Nambi not to teach him the powerful manthra. He realised the meaning behind his guru’s words. The word I” uttered by him simply points to Ramanuja’s ego and pride instead of guru himself. So, finally on his 18th attempt, Ramanuja was standing outside the same doorsteps and cried, “Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan” (“Yours humbly, its me Ramanuja Dasan”) – getting rid of the “I” (ego) in himself. Nambi obliged Ramanuja’s request and started teaching him the meaning of the mantra.

Most of the vaishnavites use Adiyen before their name while visiting their relatives / friends

Ready to Go to Hell

At the end of the teachings, Nambi extracted a promise from Ramanuja that he would not reveal the mantras to those unqualified to receive them. However, the following day, Ramanuja went to Sowmiya Narayana temple , clmbed to the top of Ashtaga Vimhanam and reuested all the villagers to assemble. After the villagers assembled he revealed the sacred mantra Om Namo Narayana to them. When Nambi heard this, he demanded an explanation from Ramanuja for his disobedience. To this, Ramanuja, replied that if the act of his results in thousand souls reaching Vaikundam (heaven), he would be glad to be burned in hell which is the punishment for those who disobey their guru’s commands. On hearing the explanation, Nambi was speechless and embraced him and gave him the title emperumanar and Sri Ramanujar came to be called as Emperumanar Ramanajur.

Belief System

Those who have any problem( namely child birth, employment, education, family welfare etc) can collect an earthen lamp from the priest after praying to the lord for getting rid of the problem. The devotee will have to keep the lamps in a cover in their pooja room at their house and keep praying. once their wish is fulfilled the devotee will have to return the lamp with the cover and also give another lamp ( depending on the capacity of the devotee it could be even silver lamp) to the temple.

After taking VRS from my bank in April. 2001 (without pension PF optee) at the age of 44, I and my wife were returning to chennai from Paramakudi by my car. We happened to pass by this temple and my wife took lamps from the priest. ( I believe she might have prayed for a good job for me , I am still not aware as to with what prayer she took the lamp from the temple). She returned back the lamp on 10 january 2020 when I am again unemployed. However I earned handsomely during the intervening period and also started earning pension as the banks gave one more option of joining the pension scheme.

My mother in law prayed in this temple for a child for her third son. she has also named her grand daughter as Soumiya ( name of the uthsavar diety ) who was born after the prayer in the temple.

My wife’s cousin who came with us took a lamp from the temple for her son’s success in Examination. Her son cleared the CA final examination in the same month. He had not been successful in his earlier attempts

Accesability

The temple is on the Sivagangai-thrirupathur route and is 8 Kms ffrom Thirupathur and 28 Kms from Sivagangai. Frequent buses are plying on this route. Taxis are available in Tirupathur. the place is 18 Kms from Karaikudi. We took a circuitous route from Ramanathapuram to reach here. We could have taken Ramnad-sivaganga-thirukoshtiyur but followed Ramnad-Kariakudi-Tirupathur-thriukoshtiyur.

Hotels

We didnt see any hotel in Thirukoshtiyur. We stayed in Ahobila Mutt. There was no cot or mattress. we were given a big Jamkalam to be laid on the floor to sleep. the religious ladies, whom I accompanied liked the place as the bathrooms and toilets were not attached and were separate. Good hotels are available in thirupathur, Karaikudi, Pillayarpatti and Sivagangai

Taxis and Autos

No taxi is available in this place. But autos are available. we used an auto to travel from here to Pillayarpatti, vairavanpatti, Kundrakudi and Kuber temples and return.

We left this place by Bus to Trichy

I request you to offer your comments and suggestions to enable me to improve my future posts and also to know more about this temple

We went to this temple mainly to have Dharshan of the Emerald (Margatham) Natarajar on 9th January 2020. The only day/ Night in a year the diety will be in Emarald ( without being covered by Sandal Paste)

History

This temple seems to be more than 3300 years old as the Ber tree in the temple as per the archaeologists is 3300 years old. Lord shiva is known as Mangalanathar and Godess Parvathi as Mangaleswari. The name suggests that praying in this temple will give welfare. the other attraction in this temple is Lord Natrajar. It is made of Emerald ( margatham). Lord NAtarajar is in Sandalpaste throught the year. the old Sandal paste is removed on arudhra Dharshan day and new sandal paste is applied. More than 50000 thousand devotees will visit this temple to have the dharshan of Lord Natrajar in original emerald on that day. To have seegra dharshan we paid for the Rs 250/- Dharshan ticket. The free dharshan took more than 10 hours.

As per legend Mangalanathar Temple is considered as the first shiva temple of the world.

The shiva linga in this shrine is Swayambu, (ie) self created not sculpted by sculptor)

The Mangalanathaswamy Temple at Thiru Uthirakosamangai is considered the Kasi of the south ie) Dhakshina kasi.

Ravana, and his wife Mandothiri in the Ramayana worshiped the lord shiva of Thiru Uthirakosamangai.

Ravana-Mandothari Marriage occasion was held and headed by the Lord Shiva of the Uthirakosamangai Temple.

Mahabharata character parikshit worshiped the Mangalanathar of this temple.

Valai veesi vilayaanda padalam (The fishing incident) mentioned in the Thiruvilaidal puranam happened in the Uthirakosamangai.

This is only temple where thazhambu (Pandanus odorifer flower / Screw Pine Flower / Ketaki flower) is used for worship.

There is a mythical story related with this.

Thazhampoo has a strong fragrance. But it’s not used to worship in Lord shiva’s temple except on Maha Sivarathiri and in the Thiru Uthirakosamangai Mangalanathar temple.

As per the legend this flower gave false evidence in a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma regarding their argument on who is greater.

The dispute was settled by a condition as to he who see either end(head or feet) of Lord Shiva is greater than the other. Brahma went up to see the head and Vishnu went down to see the feet. After several days Vishnu could not find the feet and he sat in deep meditation and realized that he is not the greatest. Lord Brahma also traveled several days and could not see the head and was about to return when he saw this flower coming down. The flower said that it is coming from the head of Lord Shiva. Brahma requested the flower to give evidence in his favour that he has seen the head. They came told to Lord Vishnu that Lord Brahma has seen the head of Lord Shiva. Immediately Lord Shiva appeared and was very angry with Lord Brahma and Thamzhampoo for telling lie. He plucked the 5th head of Lord Brahma and cursed that Brahma will not be worshipped at any temple. Also cursed Thazhampoo that the flower should not be used to worship him in any temple.

Thalampoo performed a penance in Thiru Uthirakosa mangai temple, asking to forgive it for its mistake. After a long penance of Thalampoo lord shiva offered it a concession that it would only be used in Uthirakosamangai Temple and also he made a concession that the flower may be used only on the Maha Siva Rathiri nights.

Manickavasagar, the 9th century Tamil saivite saint poet has revered Mangalanathar and the temple in his verses in Thiruvasakam, compiled as the Eighth Tirumurai.

There is a separate small shrine with in this temple for The Poet Manicka vasagar.

Accesability

The temple can be reached from Ramnathapuram by road. It is 17 KMs from Ramnadhapuram. It can also be reached from Paramakudi by road. Normally Devotees make a combined trip to Devipattinam, Sethukarai, Thirupullani and Utharakosamangai from Ramnad. Town buses are available from Ramnad. There are many taxis and autos near the bus stand and cover all the places. We travelled by Auto from Thirupulani as we stayed overnight there.

Hotels

We didnt see any hotel in Uthrakosamangai. But good hotels are available in Ramnathapuram. We stayed in Malola Bhavan run by Ahobila mutt at Thirupullani and travelled from there.

We visited Thirupullani Temple and Sethu Karai on 8 January 2020

Temple History

Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple is one of the Deivya Desam Temples. As per legend, Lord Rama while on his way to Lanka to fight demon Ravana, who had kidnapped Goddess Sita, had requested Lord Samudra Raja, the God of Ocean to allow a way through the ocean to Lanka. It is believed that Lord Rama had offered prayers lying on Kusa grass; which is known as Dharba Sayanam. Later, Lord Samudraraja, after making the sea gentle and low, had asked the Lord to build a bridge to Lanka.

A separate shrine for Lord Dharbha Sayana Rama is also there which s also refered as main deity of the temple. There are also separate shrines for Goddess Padmasini, who is the consort of Lord Adi Jagannatha, Goddess Shridevi, Goddess Bhudevi, Lord Krishna. The image of Lord Krishna in this temple has been shown depicting Lord dancing on a snake.

SETHU KARAI

Sethu Karai is just 4 Kms from Thirupullani. As per legend this the shore from where Lord Rama had ordered for Constucting of Sethu Bridge across the sea to reach Srilanka. He was helpd by the Vanaras. There is a Anjeneyar temple on the shore.

Accessability

Both the places are easliy reachable by road from Ramnathapuram. Thirupullani is just 10 KMs from Ramnathapuram and Sethu Karai is 4 more kms away. Frequent buses are available from Ramnad. We reached this place by taxi from Ramnad after visiting Devipattinam. I have already posted about Navapashanam Temple Devipattinam in my previous post.

Hotels

We didnt see any hotel in thirupullani.But good hotels are available in Ramnathapuram. We stayed in Malola Bhavan run by Ahobila mutt. It is a very decent room. there are ten rooms in the complex. Other mutts like Jeer are also having rooms to accomodate devotees.

Conclusion

The temple tank has very good water and is spacious with good steps and is covered in all sides by compound well. It is well maintained. There is another bg tank /Eri on the other side of the road. This place being one of the divya Desams, can be used as a tourist spot to stay. Elders can visit the temple and spend good time and the youngsters can have good bath in the temple tank and go to the Sethu karai by cycle since buses are not very frequent and enjoy sea bath. The sea is very calm. the stay in the mutts are decent. A/c asccomodation is also available. you can prebook the rooms and be away form the city for a couple of days.

My next post will be on Utharakosamangai

We reached this place on 8th January 2020 after our Rameswaram dharshan. I have written about Rameswaram in my earlier blog.

Temple History

Navapashanam Temple is one of the most popular temples of navagrahas Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Kethu. According to legends this temple of Nine planets was constructed by lord Rama. HE wanted to worship the nine planets and get their blessings before he proceeded to Lanka to fight Ravana. The navagrahas are approximately 100 meters inside the sea from the shore. The first time I went to this temple I walked from the shore to the dieties in the sea. The next time was by boat. Now the Tamilnadu Government has constructed a bridge from the shore to the Navagrahas. We can walk in the the bridge to reach the dieties. The dieties gets submerged in sea water during high tides.

It is believed that the following Dhoshas can be got rid off by worshping the dieties. Kala Sarpha dosha, Pitru dosha, Kudambam Dosha, Nadi Dosha, Guru chandal dosha, Grahana dosha, Mangal dosha, Sani dosha and Chandra Dosha.

Fees for performing the dosha Pooja The Government has fixed Rs 150/- for perfroming pooja for each of the Doshas. A priest is always available at the office which is at the entrance of the bridge.

Location The temple is located on the highway 15kms from Ramanathapuram on the Ramnathapuram-Karaikudi route. Frequent buses are available. Taxis and autos are also available from Ramnathapuram. Normally people cover Devipattinam, Thirupillani, Sethu Karai and Utharakosamangai in one go. We covered the first three from Ramnathapuram by Taxi and got dropped at Thirupillani. The taxi guy charged us Rs 1200/-

My next blog post will be on Thirupallani and Sethu Karai

My last visit to Rameswaram Temple was on 8th January 2020. My wife and two of her cousins accompanied me for the whole trip.

Rameswaram can be reached by Train or by any mode of Road transport. The nearest airport is Madurai.

We started from Chennai Egmore on 7th January 2020 at 5.50 PM by Rameswaram express and reached Rameswaram at 4.30 AM the next day. We went to Kanchi Sankara Mutt in Rameswaram where we had booked our stay. There are many lodges and different mutts in Rameswaram where one can stay comfortably. After refreshing oursleves we did Sankalpam for Agni theertham snanam. (In the beginning of any ritual, one has to say Sankalpam – a formulaic utterance where you tell the devatas where and when in the Universe the ritual is being conducted, the purpose of the ritual, etc,.). The Sastrigal / Pandit will charge some amount for helping us in reciting the Sankalpam. It is better to finalise the fees before the start of Sankalpam or else you may be taken for a ride. Agni theertham is the beach East of Ramanathaswamy temple Rameswaram. The Agni theertham sea is normally very calm but for the first time I saw waves hitting the Shore

After our bath in the Agni theertham we went for the 22 thertham snanam inside the temple. The temple authorities charge Rs 25/- per person for the 22 theertham bath and the temple authorities have also ensured that we can follow the theerthams in order by good arrow marks. The water from the 22 wells will be sprinkled on us by the person nominated in each well. However we had engaged separate guide for the purpose and he had ensured that we move fast and also had 1/4th bucket of sacred water bath in each well.

After our bath we went to our room for dress changing . we had our breakfast and proceeded for Dharshan of Lord Ramanathasawamy.

As per legend Lord Rama after defeating Ravana in Srilanka brought back Seetha to Rameswaram. Before proceeding to Ayodhya he wanted to worship Lord shiva and sent Lord Anjeneya (Hanuman) to fetch Shiva Linga. As Anjenaya was taking a very long time to return back Lord Rama created Shivalinga from the sand available there and started worshipping. Lord Anjeneya on his return with Shivalinga got angry after seeing Lord Rama worshipping another shivalinga. Seeing his anger Lord Rama requested Anjeneya to remove the shivalinga made by him (Lord Rama) and place the Shivalinga brought my him. Lord Anjeneya was not able to shift the Shivalinga created by Lord Rama and repented for his anger and ego. Lord Rama than told him that all worshippers who worship the shivalinga created by him will do it only after worshipping the Shivalinga brought by Anjeneya.

When we went for dharshan we saw very heavy rush, mainly because of Iyyappa season and Melmaruvathur sakthi devotees. There was special sheekra Dharshan tickets of Rs 100/- amd Rs 200/-. As we had abundant time we went through the general dharshan queue and had a very good dharshan of both the Lord shivas and also ambal. We also had very good parikrama of the temple.

After our dharshan we had our lunch. We had requested for lunch in the neighbouring Telugu Mutt. the food was too chilly. Good number of restaurants are available in Rameswaram. Few mutts also provide free lunch.

After our lunch we proceeded to Ramnathapuram, Devipatinam Thirupulani and utharakosamangai. I am writing seperate posts for the others. The auto charge from Sankara mutt to both Station and bus stand is same Rs 100/-. Frequent buses also operate from both the places to the temple.

The other places of impotance in and around Rameswaram is Ramar Padham, Vibishnar Patabhishegam temple, Pamban bridge and Dhanuskodi.

Rameswaram is also a place where people perform thilla homam. Thilla homam is mainly performed to get rid of evil curses of our ancestors. the rates vary from Rs 15000/- to 30000/- depending on the bargaining power of both the sastrigals and devotees. I strongly believe that our forefather will not curse us. The curse comes mainly on account of anger of elders by the acts and omissions of younger generations.

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