Photo5171, Sundareswarar Temple, Kovur, Chennai
Photo5171, Sundareswarar Temple, Kovur, Chennai

Sundareswarar Temple, Kovur, Chennai

Date built:–
Deity:Sundareswarar
Architectural style:Dravidian architecture
Major festivals–
Locale:Kovur
District::Chennai
Address:Sundareswarar Temple,Kovur, Chennai – 602101
Phone+91 44 2478 0124
 Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kovur near Mangadu in Chennai City in Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar / Thirumeneeswarar and Mother is called as Soundharaambigai / Thiruvudai Naayagi. This Temple was built by Sundara Chozha and believed to be renovated by Kulothunga Chozha II. The temple was also visited by the Carnatic music composer Thyagaraja who composed a set of five songs collectively called the Kovur Pancharathnam.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from0 7.00 AM – 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM – 08.00 PM.

Festivals

Pooja is offered five times in the temple. Thiruvempavai, Margazhi Arudhra Darshnam, Skanda Sashti, Soora Samharam, Thirukalyanam on Vaikasi Visagam and Shivarathri festivals are celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

Prayers

Devotees belief that praying to Lord will fulfill their wishes, getting prosperity, being free of unfavorable influence (Dosha). The worship benefits at this temple includes alleviation of the malefic effects of an unfavorably placed Budhan in one’s 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. Businessmen can pray here to improve their business.

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Architecture

Legend / Local stories

Kovur:

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 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 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.

Saint Thyagaraja composition on Lord Shiva:

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 won’t 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.

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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 Sundareswarar and not the individual called Sundareswaran.

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.

Sekkizhar wrote Periyapuranam here:

Sekkizhar, who was born in the nearby place ‘Kunrathur’, started writing ‘Periya Puranam’ from this temple only.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Chekkady Bus Stop, 600 meters from Kovur Government Higher Secondary School Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Gerugambakkam, 6 Kms from Porur, 7 Kms from Porur Junction, 7 Kms from Poonamallee, 3 Kms from Mangadu, 4 Kms from Kundrathur, 13 Kms from Meenambakkam Metro Station, 12 Kms from Guindy Railway Station, 13 Kms from Meenambakkam Railway Station, 12 Kms from Tirusulam Railway Station, 23 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 15 Kms from Tambaram Railway Station, 22 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 14 Kms from Chennai Airport and 22 Kms from Chennai.

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The Temple is situated on the road going from Porur towards Kunrathur. The temple is located about 400 meters off the main road. From Guindy Kathipara Junction one should take the Butt Road leading to Porur Junction. From there take left towards the road leading to Kundrathur and you can reach Kovur in less than 7 Kms from the Porur Junction. Kovur is well connected to the rest of city by MTC Buses.

Contact Details

Sundareswarar Temple,
Kovur, Chennai – 602101
Phone: +91 44 2478 0124
Mobile: +91 97899 24095 / 96771 55245

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