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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