Sowmyanarayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur

Sowmyanarayana Perumal Temple stands in Thirukoshtiyur village, Tamil Nadu, and is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Vishnu is worshipped here as Sowmyanarayana Perumal and Lakshmi as Thirumamagal. It is remembered as the place where Ramanuja taught the eight-syllable mantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya' to everyone, regardless of varna. Legend says Vishnu showed his Narasimha form to the gods here in standing, sitting and reclining postures.

The temple covers about 2 acres within granite walls. Its 25 m Ashtanga vimana, decorated with stucco figures of Narasimha and the Dasavatara, rises higher than the five-tier gopuram, which is unusual in Dravidian temples; the Ashtanga form is rare, also seen at Uthiramerur and the Koodal Alagar and Cheranmadevi temples. The sanctum holds Vishnu reclining on the serpent bed, and there are two life-size Narasimha images. The float festival in Masi, Navaratri and Vaikunta Ekadasi are the main festivals, and Sivaganga Devasthanam runs the temple.