CHENNAI: Koovathur, on the East Coast Road (ECR) approximately 80 kms from Chennai, is home to a large temple for Vishnu worshipped as Adikesava Perumal. Locals aver that this temple was in a dilapidated condition before 1980.
A person from Koovathur, who wanted to go to Chennai for employment, prayed to the image of Hanuman (seen in front of the temple) to bless him. His wish granted, the villager decided to reconstruct the Hanuman shrine. He felt that there must necessarily be a temple for Vishnu on the opposite side. Subsequently, the images of Vishnu and Lakshmi were found, the entire temple was reconstructed and many shrines and a front mandapa added.
The main stone image of Adikesava Perumal in a standing posture is about six feet tall, holding the conch (sankha) and discus (chakra) in his upper hands. The lower right hand is in the pose of blessing devotees (abhaya hasta) and lower left hand rests on the waist (kati hasta).
On the outer walls of the principal sanctum are niches (devakosthas) with the images of various forms of Vishnu such as Paramapadanatha, Varaha, Narasimha, Adikesava and Venugopala.
Goddess Lakshmi in this temple is worshipped as Maragathavalli Thayar. The other deities are Andal, an image of Sudarsana (personification of the powerful discus of Vishnu) with Yoga Narasimha at the rear, Bhakta Hanuman, and the Azhvars (important devotees of Vishnu).
This temple is known for its eight holy wells associated with eight sacred rivers, namely Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sarayu, Godavari, Naramada, Tungabhadra and Kaveri. In Tamil the word ‘koo’ means ‘well’ and since this area (‘ur’ in Tamil) has many sacred wells, it came to be known as Koovathur.
Huge image
The main deity is about six feet tall
Eight holy wells
The temple’s eight wells are associated with eight sacred rivers
Code of worship
The Vaikhanasa Agama is followed in this temple
Know Your City
Koovathur can be reached by going from Chennai along the ECR, passing Mahabalipuram and the village of Vayalur, crossing the River Palar and Vepattur village. One has to turn right off the highway to enter this village.
Google coordinates: 13.0196° N, 80.2458°E
Chithra Madhavan
cityexpresschn@gmail.com
The writer is a historian who focuses on temple architecture