Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 14th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 14th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
Three
demons - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali had obtained the blessings of
Lord Shiva through rigorous penance. Using the gifts that Lord Shiva had given
them, 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.
When
Lord Shiva decided to destroy these demons at the request of the celestial
gods, the world turned 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” - Thiri meaning three, Puram meaning town and
Samharam meaning destroy in Tamil.
During
their march, at this place the axle of the chariot broke because the celestial
gods forgot to worship Lord Vinayakar. They 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) broke, 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”.
It
is said that on his march to destroy the demons, 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 are
also called Thiru Virkolam.
This
temple is believed to have been built by the kings of the Chola dynasty. The
temple is situated at the origin point of the Coovam River with its sparkling
and clear waters.
Sages Munjikesar and Karkodar:
On
request of Sages Munjikesar and Karkodar, Lord Shiva competed with Goddess Kali
in a dance performance. He performed his “Oordhuva Thandavam” – a dance with
very fast movements at Thiruvalangadu and was adjudged as the winner of the
competition. Kali was very angry at her defeat. Lord Shiva appeased her anger
by telling her that he would perform a pleasing dance – “Raksha dance” at this
place.
Goddess
Kali was pleased to witness Lord Shiva’s dance and can be seen gracing the
devotees by the name of “Tharka Madha” in a separate shrine. This shrine is at
a distance of about one kilometre from the Thiruvirkolam temple. Goddess Kali
is called by the name of Tharka Madha here because she had contested against
Lord Shiva in the dance competition (“Tharka” in Sanskrit means argument).
Significance of this Shiva lingam:
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.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The east facing
temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
·
The vimana (roof
tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive
to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam that looks like the rear of an
elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
·
There is
separate set of Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Chennai and out of that; this is
the “Agni” Sthalam.
·
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).
·
A unique custom
followed in this temple is that devotees are to worship Goddess
Thiripurasundari before worshipping Lord Thiripuranthakar.
·
Goddess
Thiripurasundari’s shrine is situated on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine.
This is considered to be more auspicious.
·
It is said that
the demons, Tharakatchan and Vidyunmali have become the gate keepers
(Dwarapalakas) of the sanctum sanctorum.
·
The shrine where
Lord Shiva performed the “Raksha dance” can be seen near the entrance of the
sanctum sanctorum.
·
Every day poojas
are performed four times and the Archakars perform these poojas only after
taking bath in the temple tank. It is surprising to see this custom being
followed even today.
·
It is also said
that every day water is brought for abhishekam from the “Thirumanchana Kuzhi”
tank. This tank is the property of this temple and is located at a distance of
about 2 kms from this temple. It is believed that if water from any other
source is used for abhishekam, one can see a lot of ants on the lingam.
·
Lord Vinayakar
is said to have been the one who broke the axle of Lord Shiva’s chariot at this
place. Hence, he is named “Achirutha Vinayakar” (“achu” meaning axle and
“muritha” meaning break in Tamil). This temple’s tank is also called Achirutha
tank.
·
It is said that
there are no frogs in this temple’s tank and if anyone puts a frog there, it
will not stay there but come out immediately. Another interesting aspect of
this tank is that it never goes dry.
·
As per
information available from the temple, the last sacred consecration ceremony
(Kumbabishekam) took place on 31st August, 2007.
·
There is a
“Rudraksha” tree near this temple.
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar, Sri Thiruvirkolanathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Thiripurasundari Sri Thiripuranthaki Ammai |
|
Theertham |
Koovagni Theertham, Achirutha Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilvam |
BELIEF:
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.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
April-May |
Brahmotsavam |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Adipuram
festival |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Thai Poosam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Arudra
Dharisanam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha
Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Coovam
is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and
Perambakkam. It is about 18 kms from Sriperumbudur, via Kadampathur and
Sunguvar Chathiram.
From
Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Thripuranthakeswarar
Temple,
Thiruvirkolam, Coovum,
Perambakkam Via,
Tiruvallur,
Tamil Nadu - 631 402.
LOCATION:
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