Koovum or Cooum is a village located in Tiruvallur District and it is also called as Thiruvirkolam. This Temple is affectionately called by the locals as Koovam Shivan Kovil. River Koovam originates from this village of Koovum and runs through Chennai Metro before entering the Bay of Bengal. This is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is known as Sri Thirupuranthakeshwarar or Sri Thiruvirkolanathar or Sri Thiripuranthaka Swamy. The Consort is known as Sri Thirupurasundari or Sri Thirupuranthaki. The full name of the Temple is actually Sri Thiripurasundari Ambal Samedha Sri Thiripuranthaka Eshwarar Temple. There is a huge 16 pillared Mandapam opposite to the Temple in which the Temple's Divine Rituals are held usually. This multi pillared Mandapam has a lovely designed Kailaaya Kaatchi in which Shiva, Parvathy, Ganapathy and Murugan are seen together. This Temple has a South facing Rajagopuram made up of 5 tiers. Beneath the Rajagopuram are two South facing Sub Shrines in which Sri Ganapathy is seen and on the other Sub Shrine Sri Subramaniyar is seen flanked by Valli and Devasena. On crossing the Rajagopuram there are inscriptions and displays which reveals the names of the Presiding Deity. It is astonishing to mention that He has 17 different names and they are as follows: 1) Sri Thiruvirkolam, 2) Sri Thiripuranthakam, 3) Sri Rakshagar, 4) Sri Thiyagar, 5) Sri Sandhadharar, 6) Sri Valaisadaikoothar, 7) Sri Sarvakandhanathar, 8) Sri Archanabhakandar, 9) Sri Karikalar Thuyarai Pokkiyavar. 10) Sri Bhuvana Nayakar, 11) Sri Muppuram Azhithavar, 12) Sri Thane Thondriyavar, 13) Sri Gughanathar, 14) Sri Sennelvaithavar, 15) Sri Theenda Thirumeni, 16) Sri Jayanilaya Thisaiyar and 17) Sri Balakandhanathar. Nowhere in Tamil Nadu any Presiding Deity is heard with 17 different names. Though the Rajagopuram of the Temple is South facing the Shrines of the Presiding Deity Sri Thiripuranthakeshwarar and that of Sri Thiripurasundari Ambal are East facing. The Ambal who is seen in a Kalyana Kolam has Her Shrine is to the right of the Presiding Deity. The Ambal has to Prayed first and then the Devotees could offer their Prayers to the Presiding Deity. 

The Ambal's Shrine is East facing in a multi pillared Mandapam. The Gopuram of this Shrine has coloured Idols of Sri Natarajar on the South and those of Shivan, Parvathy, Vinayagar and Murugan on the East. There are two South facing Vinayagar Idols at the base of two pillars of the Gopuram. There is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram and a Simha Vaahanam in a four pillared Mandapam facing West towards the Moolasthanam. The Consort who is known here as Sri Thiripurasundari or Sri Thiripuranthaki is seen in Her East facing Shrine in a Kalyana Kola standing posture. There are two embosed Idols of Sri Ganapathy and Sri Murugan fixed on the walls of the Moolasthanam. There is another miniature Idol of Sri Ganapathy on the left side of Her Moolasthanam. In the inner pillared Mandapam of the Ambal's Shrine is a Thulaabaaram for the sake of the Devotees. There is an exclusive South facing Pallaiyarai here. Though the Ambal's Koshtam is devoid of any Idols there is a Sub Shrine for Sri Chandikeshwari. Facing the Moolasthanam of Sri Thiripuranthakeshwarar is a Neivedhya Peedam beneath which is an East facing Idol of Vinayagar. Apart from this there is a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Nandhi Vaahanam within a four pillared Mandapam facing the Moolasthanam. Devotees cannot enter the Moolasthanam from this side. Instead they have to enter the Moolasthanam of the Presiding Deity through the Ambal's Shrine. There is a gaping hole from the Nandhi Vaahanam through which Devotees can see the Moolasthanam. Standing guard before the Moolasthanam are two huge black Dwara Baalaka Idols and there is a small Vinayagar Idol close to one of these Dwara Baalakas. The Presiding Deity is seen in a multi pillared Mandapam. He is seen East facing and in the form of a Shiva Lingam and is considered as a Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. This Shiva Lingam is generally not touched by even the Archakas on normal days and hence is called as Theenda Thirumeni Nathar. There is a small Neivedhya Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam here too facing the Moolasthanam. Around the Koshtam of the Moolavar are the following Idols Sri Narthana Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Brahmma, Sri Durgai and Sri Chandikeshwarar. Just outside the Moolasthanam is a caged enclosure in which the Urchavamoorthy Idols of Sri Somaskandar and Sri Chandrasekarar are seen. The Ambal's Urchavamoorthy Idol too is kept here safely. Close to this is a Sub Shrine for the Naalvars and Surya Bhagwan. They are seen facing West looking towards the Moolasthanam. Just outside the Moolasthanam Mandapam of the Presiding Deity is a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Natarajar along with Sivagami Ambal.

The outer peripheral of the Temple has an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Brihadeeshwarar who is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam. There is an East facin Sub Shrine of Sri Achirutha Vinayagar in which three different Vinayagars are seen. It is believed that each one of these Vinayagar Idols were Prayed by Sri Shivan, Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Brahmma. There is a mini Neivedhya Peedam and a Moonjur Vaahanam facing these Idols. Likewise this peripheral has an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar who is seen flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. Then there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Bala Subramaniyar who is seen along with the Naga Devatha Idols. There is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Chokkanathar who is seen as a Shiva Lingam and Sri Meenakshi Ambal is seen in a standing posture facing South. The Temple has a Navagraha Sannadhi in its peripheral. The Temple's peripheral has a West facing Idol of Srilasri Kazhugakshala Swamigal. The Temple is built on a huge area and it has a Temple Kitchen or Madapalli. The Temple's Chariot is located outside the Temple Premises and is safely secured. Close to this is another enclosure for the Temple's Vaahanams. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is a Vilva Maram and the Pushkarani or Sacred Tank is known as Agni Theertham or Acchirukeni Theertham. This Agni Theertham is located outside the Temple Premises and looks very clean. It is noteworthy to mention here is this Agni Theertham does not have any Frogs or Toads in it. It is also said that this Agni Theertham never gets dried up even during peak summer. Vinayagar Chathurthi, Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri, Maha Shivarathiri, Kirthikai, Shasti are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. The Temple Administration under its Thakkar Sri Dilli Babu are doing a wonderful job in maintaining the Temple Rituals and in keeping the Temple premises spick and span despite heavy odds.

The History behid the Temple is that Thaarukatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidhunmaali were three Demons who had built three Forts made of Gold, Siver and Iron. They gave continuous tortures to the Devaas and Rishis causing huge loss and destruction. The Devaas and Rishis had no other option but to Pray before Shiva. God Shiva then came as a Bowman and destroyed all the three Forts pertaining to the Demons and vanquished them. Hence He is known as Sri Thiripuranthakar or Sri Thiruvirkolanathar. 

Contact Details: Dilli Babu Thakkar 86753 40648, Bharani Iyer 98847 33312 and Mani Security 90922 05448

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur to Koovam is 19 Kms

Distance from Thiruvalangadu to Koovam is 28 Kms

Distance from Poondi to Koovam is 26 Kms

Distance from Nambakkam to Koovam is 31 Kms

Distance from Uthukkottai to Koovam is 41 Kms

Distance from Mappedu to Koovam is 6 Kms

Distance from Thakkolam to Koovam is 15 Kms

Distance from Elumiyankottur to Koovam is 8 Kms

Distance from Perambakkam to Koovam is 3 Kms

Distance from Ponneri to Koovam is 76 Kms

Distance from Minjur to Koovam is 72 Kms

Distance from Kannanthangal to Koovam is 29 Kms

Distance from Thiruvottiyur to Koovam is 68 Kms

Distance from Sriperumbudur to Koovam is 20 Kms

Distance from Sunguvarchatram to Koovam is 18 Kms

Distance from Maduramangalam to Koovam is 10 Kms

Distance from Sivanthangal to Koovam is 23 Kms

Distance from Vallakkottai to Koovam is 29 Kms

Distance from Kanchipuram to Koovam is 41 Kms

Distance from Guduvancheri to Koovam is 57 Kms

Distance from Elayanarvelur to Koovam is 54 Kms

Distance from Maduranthankam to Koovam is 82 Kms

Distance from Melmaruvathur to Koovam is 93 Kms

Distance from Acharapakkam to Cooum is 96 Kms

Distance from Vandalur to Cooum is 40 Kms

Distance from Nadupalani to Cooum is 102 Kms

Distance from Periyapalayam to Cooum is 51 Kms

Distance from Thiruttani to Cooum is 45 Kms

Distance from Siruvapuri to Cooum is 74 Kms

Distance from Andarkuppam to Cooum is 65 Kms

Distance from Suruttapalli, AP to Cooum is 42 Kms

Distance from Ramagiri, AP to Cooum is 57 Kms

Distance from Kakkalur to Cooum is 21 Kms

Distance from Sitharkadu to Cooum is 37 Kms

Distance from Gnayiru to Cooum is 69 Kms

Distance from Thirupachur to Cooum is 17 Kms

Distance from Narasingapuram to Cooum is 26 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Cooum is 65 Kms 

Nearest Railway Station is Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur R.S.

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