According to
legend, Goddess Kamakshi was performing thapas on Panchagni (fire) in Mangadu
praying Lord Shiva to marry Her. Her penance was so intense that the whole
surroundings became too hot and all living beings suffered because of enormous
heat. But Lord Shiva was meditating deeply with His eyes closed. Sages and
Devas worshipped Lord Vishnu to save the world from the heat of the penance.
Lord Vishnu directed Sri Mahalakshmi to save the world.
Goddess Sri
Mahalakshmi came down here to this place in the form of a cow and worshipped
Lord Shiva to make Him open the eyes, so that the world is saved. Pleased with
Her prayers, Lord Shiva opened His eyes, after which the heat of the place
subsided and became cooler.
As Sri
Mahalakshmi worshipped here in the form of a cow, the place came to be known as
Kopuri (In Thamizh, Ko means cow) and later corrupted to become Kovur. At later
stages Kulothunga Chozha had built this temple beautifully.
The temple
is facing south with a beautiful 7 tiered Rajagopuram. The entire Sannadhi
street itself is so beautiful with shady trees and ancient houses.
This temple
is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) for Sri
Budhan (Mercury).
Lord Sri
Sundhareswarar and Goddess Sri Soundharaambigai are said to be so beautiful
here and hence they are called so. It is said that, by worshipping Sri
Sundhareswarar, one will be cured of many ailments. The temple has undergone
Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) recently and looks fresh and new.
Other
deities present in the temple are Sri Veerabadhrar, Sri Valli Devasena Samedha
Sri Subramanyar and Navagrahams. All 63 Naayanmaars are also present in this
temple.
Saint
Thyagaraja has visited this temple on his way to Thirupathi. It is said that
Saint Thyagaraja traveled on a palanquin towards Thirupathi and passed through
this place. He also visited this temple on his way. A local headman called Sundharesan asked the saint to compose and sing some songs on him. Thyagarajar
refused and said that he wont sing praise of any individual and he will sing
praise of God only and left Kovur.
While going
from Kovur, his palanquin was obstructed by a group of bandits who threw stones
on the palanquin and his servants to stop him from going further. The saint
Thyagaraja stopped and got down from the palanquin to explain the bandits that
he was not so rich to be robbed and also he was on a pilgrimage to Thirupathi.
The bandits came near Thyagaraja and asked him who threw the stones back at
them. Thyagaraja told them that there were no other people with them except the
carriers of palanquin. But the thieves told that they saw 2 youngsters
furiously throwing back the stones on them to save Thyagaraja. Saint Thyagaraja
realized that they were none other than Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana who came to
his rescue.
Saint also
realized that there is some holy power to this place and again came back to
Kovur temple and sung 5 compositions (Keerthanas) called Kovur Pancharathnam.
The local headman was too proud thinking that Saint Thyagaraja sung in praise
of him only. But the saint explained him that the 5 compositions were made in
praise of the Lord Sri Sundhareswarar and not the individual called Sundhareswaran. The Kovur Pancharatnams are Ee Vasudha (Sahaana
Raagam), Kori Sevimpa (Karaharapriya Raagam), Sambo
Mahadeva (Pantuvarali Raagam), Nammi Vachina (Kalyani Raagam)
and Sundareswaruni (Sankarabharanam Raagam).
Most of the
compositions of Saint Thyagaraja are in praise of Lord Rama only. This is one
of the few places where he had composed Keerthanas on other Gods. Such another
marvelous temple, standing tall across centuries is definitely a boon to
pilgrims.
Kovur is a
small town situated about 22 kms from Chennai, on the road going from Porur
towards Kunrathur. The temple is located about 200 meters off the main road.
Kovur has a
massive temple for Lord Shiva built by Kulothunga Chozha, dating back to 7th
century. The main deity of this temple is Sri Sundhareswarar (also called
Thirumaeneeswarar) and Goddess Sri Soundharaambigai (also called Thiruvudai
Naayagi).
Sri Sekkizhaar,
who was born in the nearby place Kunrathur, started writing Periya Puranamfrom this temple only.
Another
rarity of this temple is the Sthala Viruksham called Maha Vilvam tree. The Maha
Vilvam of this temple is a very rare one that each stalk of Maha Vilvam has 27
leaves to it. This Maha Vilvam also has many medicinal properties in it.
The
Theertham for this temple is called Siva Gangai Theertham. This temple also has
a beautiful chariot which requires renovation.
The Worship
benefits at this temple includes alleviation of the malefic effects of an
unfavourably placed Budhan in ones horoscope. Childless are blessed with
progeny, the hurdles in getting married are cleared, good agricultural yield
and career growth. Budhan bestows wealth and wisdom on his devotees. Students
who are weak in studies can pray here and reap the benefit. Businessman can
pray here to improve their business.
Temple
Timings 7.00AM to 12.00PM & 4.00PM to 8.00PM.
Sri
Sundhareswarar Temple, Kovur, Mangadu, Chennai 602101. Contact
Number - 04424780124
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Dont's:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.