Sundareswarar Kovur

God

Sundareswarar (also Thirumaeneeswarar), facing east

Goddess

Soundarambigai (also Thiruvudai Naayagi), facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Muruga with consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Navagraha, 63 Naayanmaar

Sundareswarar Kovur is an east facing temple with a tall and beautiful 7 tiered Rajagopuram at the southern entrance. A temple tank is east of the temple. Sannadhi street is beautiful with shady trees and ancient houses. Sundareswarar Kovur is one of the Navagraha temples around Chennai and represents Budhan (Mercury). Sekkizhaar, who was born in Kundrathur, started writing ‘Periya Puranam’ from this temple. The Holy tree of this temple, Maha Vilvam tree has stalks with 27 leaves to it. The shrine of the lord is in the form of Gajaprastham.

The Navagraha Temples around Chennai are:

1. Kolampakkam – Agastheeswarar (Surya)
2. Somangalam – Somanatheeswarar (Chandran)
3. Poonamallee – Vaitheeswarar (Angaaragan)
4. Kovur – Sundareswarar (Budhan)
5. Porur – Ramanatheswarar (Guru)
6. Mangadu – Velleeswarar (Sukran)
7. Pozhichalur – Agastheeswarar (Sani)
8. Kundrathur – Nageswarar (Rahu)
9. Gerugambakkam – Neelakandeswarar (Kethu)

Holy Water (Theertham) – Siva Gangai Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Sundareswarar Kovur was constructed around 965 CE, by Kulothunga Chola. The great Carnatic music composer Tyagaraja visited this temple and composed a set of five songs collectively called the Kovur Pancharatnam. The Kovur Pancharatnams are “Ee Vasudha” (Sahaana Raagam), “Kori Sevimpa”(Karaharapriya Raagam), “Sambo Mahadeva” (Pantuvarali Raagam), “Nammi Vachina” (Kalyani Raagam) and “Sundareswaruni” (Sankarabharanam Raagam).

Mythology

Goddess Kamakshi was performing penance on fire in Mangadu for Lord Shiva to marry her. Her penance was so intense that the whole place became very hot and all living beings were suffering. Lord Shiva was in deep meditation and oblivious to this. The Sages and Devas prayed to Lord Vishnu to save the world from this intense heat who in turn directed his consort Goddess Mahalakshmi to save the world. She came down here in the form of a cow and worshiped Lord Shiva to request him to open his eyes. Pleased with her prayers the Lord opened His eyes and the heat subsided. Since Mahalakshmi worshipped here in the form of a cow, the place came to be known as Ko puri (Ko in Tamil means Cow) and later corrupted to Kovur.

Directions

Sundareswarar Kovur is about 8 kilometers from the St.Thomas Mount – Porur road. Take the left just after crossing Adyar River bridge and drive on crossing Gerugambakkam to reach Sundareswarar Kovur.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea shops. Chennai is advisable.