Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple, Koovam, Thiruvallur

 

Moolavar: Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar
Amman: Sri Thiripurasundari

A Padapal Petra sthalam (sung by Thirugnanasambanthar) and 14th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu and is believed to be built by the kings of the Chola dynasty. The temple is situated at the origin point of the Coovam river. The Tamil name for the lord is Sri Thiruvirkolanathar and Ambal as Thiripuranthaki Ammai

As the name of the temple itself suggest this is the place where Thiripura Samharam happened-  Thiri meaning three, Puram meaning town and Samharam meaning destroy.

The legend goes like-  Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali 3 demons or Asuras had obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva through rigorous penance. Using the boon that they got from Lord Shiva they constructed three forts made of gold, silver and iron respectively in three different towns for their protection and these forts became impregnable to any kind of retaliation by anyone. The demons started terrorising the celestial gods and sages who went to Lord Shiva to seek his help.

So based on the prayers by the devas lord Shiva decided to destroy these demons. For which he turned the world into a chariot, Suryan and Chandran became the drivers (Saradhi), the celestial gods (Devas) form the wheels and Meru, Vasuki and Agri became the bow, the arrow and the arrow’s tip respectively. This event is called “Thiripura Samharam”.

While they marched at a place the axle of the chariot broke into 2 pieces because the celestial gods forgot to worship Lord Vinayakar. The place where the axel (achu in Tamil) broke is Achirupakkam ( Achu irru bagam).

They all realised their error, worshipped Lord Vinayakar and sought his blessing to help them succeed in their mission. It is also believed that it was Lord Mahavishnu who held the chariot from falling down when the axle broke. Since this is the place where the axle (Kooram in Tamil) fell this place got the name “Kooram” which has later changed to Coovum. Since Lord Shiva had resumed his march for the “Thiripura Samharam” from this place, he is also praised here as “Thiripuranthakar”.

As Lord Siva carried the bow and arrow in his hands. Hence, he is also praised here as “Thiruvirkola Nathar” (“Vil” meaning bow and “kolam” meaning appearance in Tamil) and the place is also called Thiru Virkolam.

The unique feature of this temple is that Lord Shiva’s procession idol (Utsavar) can be seen holding a bow and arrow in his hands. Such an idol is very rare and cannot be seen anywhere else.

The Shiva lingam here is “Theendaa Thirumeni” and is always covered by an armour (metal cover). It’s not touched by human hands, not even by the priests.A unique custom followed in this temple is that
devotees are to worship Goddess Thiripurasundari before worshipping Lord Thiripuranthakar.

Another speciality of this temple is that Goddess Thiripurasundari’s shrine is situated on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. This is considered to be more auspicious.

The significance of this Shiva lingam is that its colour changes to white before heavy rainfall and to red when the rain is less. This used to serve as an indication for rainfall. Saint Thiru Gnanasambandhar in his hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple has mentioned about the changes in colour of this lingam. However, now the colour of the lingam does not seem to change. Apart from this phenomenon, Saint Thiru Gnanasambanthar also talks about the Thiripura Samharam in his hymns.

It is believed that worshiping the lord here can relieve devotees from the sins of their previous birth. It is also believed that any sort of misunderstanding between husband and wife can be resolved if they worship the lord here.

The temple is opened between 06.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 05.00 PM to 08.00 PM.

Location:
Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple, Koovam, Thiruvallur