Sowmya Nārāyaṇa Perumāḷ Temple, Thirukoshtiyur
Where Rāmānuja shouted the secret mantra from the tower
⭐ Why it is famous
The Divya Deśam where Rāmānuja, taught the Aṣṭākṣara mantra in secret by Tirukoṭṭiyūr Nambi, climbed the gopura and called it out to everyone below — accepting hell for himself if it saved the many. The three-tiered Aṣṭāṅga Vimāna is unique.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Sung by five Āḻvārs, the temple is one of the oldest Pāṇḍya-country Viṣṇu shrines, with Chola and Nāyaka additions. The eight-part vimāna houses standing, sitting and reclining forms of the Lord on three levels.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 07:30 – 12:30 and 16:00 – 20:00
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; steep internal stairs to the upper sanctums
- Śrīvaiṣṇava dress code observed
- Quiet on weekdays — an unhurried temple to sit in
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Sowmya Nārāyaṇa Perumāḷ Temple, Thirukoshtiyur, Thirukoshtiyur, SivagangaManamadurai Junction (MNM) — 22 km
Thirukoshtiyur bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Madurai (IXM) — 75 km
Buses from Madurai (50 km) and Karaikudi (35 km) via Tirupathur.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Hotels in Karaikudi and Madurai
- Chettinad heritage mansions near Kanadukathan
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,800 | ₹4,000 | ₹9,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Chettinad mansions
- Athangudi tile workshops
- Pillaiyarpatti Ganesha temple
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
November–February; Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī is special