Having seen Poondi temple I decided to go to this famous temple which is the place of origin of the Cooum River which starts from a huge pond at this place. The temple is ancient and has been sung about by Gnanasambandar .Today was a local festival in the temple and it was crowded.
How to reach:
The temple is situated between Tiruvallur and Arakonam. I took the road from Tiruvallur just by the side of the Tiruppachur temple on the tiruttani road. The road is good and in about 20 kms I reached the Arakonam Poonamallee road. A right turn led me to Koovam town.
Alternatively from Chennai on NH 4 after crossing Saveetha Medical college take the right turn before Empee distilleries towards perumbakkam and arakonam in 25 kms you will reach Koovam.
Legends of the temple:
When Shiva started his journey to kill the asuras his axel broke( See my blog on accharapakkam by clicking here blog on Accharapakkam temple) and he got down. When he alighted the Konrai flower on his head fell at this place
Saint Tirugnanasambandar in his Pathigams – set of 10 verses – had sung in praise of Lord’s destroying the Tripuranthaka demons. The demons, Tharaka and Vindyunmali are the Dwarapalakas (securities) of the sanctum sanctorum. The shrine where Lord Nataraja played the Kathal Thandavam (protection dance) is opposite the Rajagopuram – main tower. Mother’s shrine is right of that of Lord facing east in a standing form. Sri Chakra is installed in the shrine. Devotees believe that worshipping Mother would break the obstacles in the way of wedding proposals. The Vimana of the sanctum of Mother is in the form of a tower.
Lord Muruga with His six faces and with His consorts Valli and Deivanai is in a separate shrine. Lord Bhairava is without his dog vehicle.
Both the main sanctums of Shiva and Ambal are facing east.
The lord here is called Theendaa thirumeni he is not touched by the priests also all pujas are done without touching the lord. He is supposed to be in penance here.
The locals believe that when there is going to be good rains the Lord appears like crystal and transparent and in bad rain years he appears red. He was red when I saw him today. There were no decorations of vibhuti or sandal. He was draped in a clean dhoti .A spectacular sight with the huge Sivalingam resplendent in simplicity
How to reach:
The temple is situated between Tiruvallur and Arakonam. I took the road from Tiruvallur just by the side of the Tiruppachur temple on the tiruttani road. The road is good and in about 20 kms I reached the Arakonam Poonamallee road. A right turn led me to Koovam town.
Alternatively from Chennai on NH 4 after crossing Saveetha Medical college take the right turn before Empee distilleries towards perumbakkam and arakonam in 25 kms you will reach Koovam.
Legends of the temple:
When Shiva started his journey to kill the asuras his axel broke( See my blog on accharapakkam by clicking here blog on Accharapakkam temple) and he got down. When he alighted the Konrai flower on his head fell at this place
Saint Tirugnanasambandar in his Pathigams – set of 10 verses – had sung in praise of Lord’s destroying the Tripuranthaka demons. The demons, Tharaka and Vindyunmali are the Dwarapalakas (securities) of the sanctum sanctorum. The shrine where Lord Nataraja played the Kathal Thandavam (protection dance) is opposite the Rajagopuram – main tower. Mother’s shrine is right of that of Lord facing east in a standing form. Sri Chakra is installed in the shrine. Devotees believe that worshipping Mother would break the obstacles in the way of wedding proposals. The Vimana of the sanctum of Mother is in the form of a tower.
Lord Muruga with His six faces and with His consorts Valli and Deivanai is in a separate shrine. Lord Bhairava is without his dog vehicle.
Both the main sanctums of Shiva and Ambal are facing east.
The lord here is called Theendaa thirumeni he is not touched by the priests also all pujas are done without touching the lord. He is supposed to be in penance here.
The locals believe that when there is going to be good rains the Lord appears like crystal and transparent and in bad rain years he appears red. He was red when I saw him today. There were no decorations of vibhuti or sandal. He was draped in a clean dhoti .A spectacular sight with the huge Sivalingam resplendent in simplicity
Another good blog with excellent photos.Another notable feature of this temple is the presence of an Odhuvar who sings thevaram nicely ,but also shows more enthusiasm to describe this temple history to the devotees visiting this temple.
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