The
Visit to this Sri Thuraiyathamman Temple at Koppur was a part of Shiva, Maha
Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit, near Poonamallee & Aranvoyal in Thiruvallur
District / Tiruvallur District on 05th December 2021. The history of
this temple is closely associated with Sri Thirupranthakeswarar temple of Kuthambakkam. Initially it was planned to
visit the Shiva temples of Nemam and Kuthambakkam, the other temples are added
as an extension to the above temples and recommended by devotees of the temples
and Sivachariyars. Even though this Thuraiyathamman temple is in Utkottai
Village, the temple is considered as a part of Kuthambakkam.
Moolavar : Sri Thurayathamman ( Chamundi of
Saptamatrikas group is considered as prime deity )
Some
of salient features of this temple are…The
temple is facing North with a balipeedam on a raised pedestal. In sanctum
sanctorum, Vinayagar and Lord Shiva are
facing west and all the saptamatrikas are facing north on a pedestal installed
in L shape. Samundi is worshiped Vinayagar is in the mukha mandapam. The
Koshtas are empty. A Bairavar sannidhi is on the left side of the temple, a Padam with snake coiled around it and broken pieces of Chozha period sculptures are
found around the temple.
The
Shiva Temple is now worshiped as Thuraiyathamman temple and Bhairavar is
worshiped instead Shiva Linga.
ARCHITECTUREThe
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The
sanctum sanctorum is on an upana about 2.5 feet high and adhisthana is on a
lotus pedestal. The adhisthana is with jagathy, threepatta kumuda and pattigai.
The bhitti starts with vedhika. Vishnukantha pilasters with square base,
nagabandham malaithongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, kudam, thadi, Lotus petals
mandi Palakai, Veerakandam and Pothyal. The prastaram is with valapi, kapotham
and viyyalavari. Lotus petals are in valapi. There is no vimana on the bhoomi desam.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONSAs
per the inscriptions this temple was built during Kulothunga Chozha-III’s
period. Originally the sanctum sanctorum
was dedicated to Lord Shiva, when and why it was converted to saptamatrikas
temple is not known. The original Moolavar, Shiva Linga is kept at Sri
Thirupurantakeswarar temple, Kuthambakkam.
The
original temple was constructed during the Chozha King Veerendra ( Kulothunga
Chozha –III ). The same was reconstructed and mukha mandapam was added during
Vijayanagara period.
As
per the History, Mylapore was situated on the sea shore and also served as a
Port. The merchants Kupthars also known as Arya vaishyas stayed here. Usually
Pakkam was named for place near the sea shore. They used Cooum river to
transport goods through boats to the Port. To un load and up load the goods
“Thurai”/ jetty / wharf was constructed on the banks of cooum river. The Cooum
river which passes through Thiruvallur was diverted through check dam / அரண், water was
filled in the Kupthambakkam Lake ( Now called as Aranvoyal Lake ) and the
surplus water was diverted through canal to the Chambarambakkam Lake during
Chozha period. A Jetty / wharf was constructed on the canal, where the canal
passed through Kupthambakkam. The Thuraiyathamman sametha Thiruvaiyaru
Nayanar temple was constructed near this
jetty / wharf. The Amman was called as
Thuriyathamman since, those with problems pray her after taking bath in the
padithurai / jetty / wharf, are consoled and relieved them from all problems by
her ( ஆற்றுப்படுத்துதல் ), Thuraiyathamman also called as Thuraikathamman.
As
per the inscriptions this place was called as Kuptharkal Pakkam, Kupthan Pakkam
and got corrupted to the present name of Kuthambakkam. This Thiruvaiyaru Nayanar temple was
constructed by Kulothunga Chozha –III ( 1178 – 1218 CE ) during his 13th
reign year ie 1191 CE. Kulothunga Chozha –III’s 22nd reign year
inscription records that this place and Lord Shiva was called as Jayangonda
Chozha mandalathu, Kulothunga Chozha valanattu men mangadu nattu
Kupthambakkamudayar Thiruvayarudayar.
It
is believed that Kulothunga Chozha-III, who couldn’t attend the poojas and
celebrations at Thiruvaiyaru, created this Temple. This was recorded in the
form of inscription during his 30th reign year ( 1208 CE ). The
inscriptions further clearly mentions the Someschura Nayanar, an another Shiva
temple also existed in the same Village.
The much celebrated Shiva Lingas of Thiruvaiyaru nayanar and Someschura
nayanar are now kept under the canon
ball tree with out Poojas at Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple at Kuthambakkam,
made us to feel very sad.
Valayam
Azhagiyan Otriyurakan alias Kulothunga Chozhapaiyur Natazhvan established an
endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 32 cows and a Rishabam are
gifted to this temple. The same was received by andhanars.
Another
inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Jayangonda
Chozha mandalathu Kalathur kottathu, Chengundra Nattu Iynjur Mullipadi Village
by Thiruchura kannappan Adhinayakan Panchanadhivanan
Rajarajaneela Gangaraiyan for the same 48 cows and a rishabam was gifted to
this temple.
Another
inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual lamp by a person from
Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Kalathur kottathu Chengundam for which cattle including
3 cows totaling 52 was gifted to this temple.
LEGENDSThere
is sculpture of Padam / padam coiled with snake is in front of Bhairavar
Temple. It is believed that praying this will relieved from Naga dosham and
Rahu, ketu doshas.
In
another legend, on one rainy day, it was raining continuously with lightning
and thunder. It was like the sky opened and poured water. The eri has become
full and it may breach at any time. If breached all the cattle, humans and
fields will be washed away. The huts were also leaking and Villagers took
shelter in this temple.
With
no sign of rain to stop, they prayed Thuraiyathamman to save them. With the
hunger and sleepy they slept in that night. When they were sleeping
Thuraiyathamman in the form of light came out, went to the eri and
circumambulate the Padithurai three times and returned back. The water from the padithurai subsided and
the rain also stopped. The total episode was watched by an old lady in half
sleep. After they woke up in the morning the old lady told everything, what
happened in the previous night. The people thanked Thuraiyathamman for saving
them. Since the Amman saved the thurai jetty / wharf from breaching, Amman was
called as Thurai katha Amman (
துறை காத்த அம்மன் ) which has got corrupted to the
present name of Thuraiyathamman.
Ladies
prays Thuraiyathamman for marriages, child boon and safe delivery etc. As a part
of thanks giving, after delivery or before the delivery the ladies will cook sakkarai pongal, offer to Amman along with abhishekam and new vasthram.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
TEMPLE TIMINGSSince
oru kala pooja is conducted, the archakar may be confirmed before going to the
temple.
CONTACT
DETAILSMr Rajalingam may be contacted on his mobile number +91 9791117476 for further details.
HOW TO REACHThe
temple is about 1.6 KM off from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur Main Road, 18.4 KM
from Thiruvallur, 12 KM from Thiruninravur, 9 KM from Poonamallee, 23 KM from
Koyambedu and 28.4 KM from Chennai Central. Nearest
Railway station is Thiruninravur and
bigger railway station is Thiruvallur.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Bhairavar
A Damaged idol head with padam coiled with nagar
Maha Vishnu 
Damaged idol
Damaged idol---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
It
is believed that Kulothunga Chozha-III, who couldn’t attend the poojas and
celebrations at Thiruvaiyaru, created this Temple. This was recorded in the
form of inscription during his 30th reign year ( 1208 CE ). The
inscriptions further clearly mentions the Someschura Nayanar, an another Shiva
temple also existed in the same Village.
The much celebrated Shiva Lingas of Thiruvaiyaru nayanar and Someschura
nayanar are now kept under the canon
ball tree with out Poojas at Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple at Kuthambakkam,
made us to feel very sad.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
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