Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple

Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple at Thirukkottiyur (also called Thirukoshtiyur) is one of the most historically significant Divya Desams, praised by Nammalvar in the Divya Prabandham. The deity "Sowmya Narayana" means "the gentle and gracious Narayana." This temple is immortalized in Sri Vaishnava history as the place where Sri Ramanuja received the sacred Ashtakshara Mantra ("Om Namo Narayanaya") from his guru Thirukkottiyur Nambi after eighteen arduous trips. In an act of extraordinary compassion, Ramanuja immediately climbed the temple tower and proclaimed the mantra to all gathered below, offering liberation to everyone regardless of caste — a revolutionary moment in Hindu spiritual history. Nammalvar's pasurams on this temple are especially poignant and devotional.