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Coovam is situated at a distance of about 20 km from Thiruvallur via Kadampathur and Perambakkam. It is about 18 km from Sriperumbudur, via Kadampathur and Sunguvar Chathiram.

General Information
Moolavar Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar, Sri Thiruvirkolanathar
Ambal Sri Thiripurasundari Sri Thiripuranthaki Ammai
Theertham (Holy water) Koovagni Theertham, Achirutha Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) Vilvam
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 14th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
This Shiva lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”.
The east-facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
The vimana (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
There is a separate set of Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Chennai and out of that, this is the “Agni” Sthalam.
History of the Temple
This temple is believed to have been built by the kings of the Chola dynasty.

The temple is situated at the origin point of the Coovam river with its sparkling and clear waters.

Legend
It is believed that three demons - Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali had obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva through rigorous penance. Using the gifts that Lord Shiva had given them, they constructed three forts made of gold, silver and iron respectively in three different towns for their protection and these forts became impregnable to any kind of retaliation by anyone. The demons started terrorising the celestial gods and sages who went to Lord Shiva to seek his help.

When Lord Shiva decided to destroy these demons at the request of the celestial gods, the world turned into a chariot, Suryan and Chandran became the drivers (Saradhi), the celestial gods (Devas) form the wheels and Meru, Vasuki and Agri became the bow, the arrow and the arrow’s tip respectively. This event is called “Thiripura Samharam” - Thiri meaning three, Puram meaning town and Samharam meaning destroy in Tamil.

It is believed that, during their march, at this place, the axle of the chariot broke because the celestial gods forgot to worship Lord Vinayakar. They realised their error, worshipped Lord Vinayakar and sought his blessing to help them succeed in their mission. It is also believed that it was Lord Mahavishnu who held the chariot from falling down when the axle broke. Since this is the place where the axle (Kooram in Tamil) broke, this place got the name “Kooram” which has later changed to Coovum. Since Lord Shiva had resumed his march for the “Thiripura Samharam” from this place, he is also praised here as “Thiripuranthakar”.

It is said that on his march to destroy the demons, Lord Siva carried the bow and arrow in his hands. Hence, he is also praised here as “Thiruvirkola Nathar” (“Vil” meaning bow and “kolam” meaning appearance in Tamil) and the place is also called Thiru Virkolam.

Another legend associated with this place is that on request of Sages Munjikesar and Karkodar, Lord Shiva competed with Goddess Kali in a dance performance. He performed his “Oordhuva Thandavam” – a dance with very fast movements at Thiruvalangadu and was adjudged as the winner of the competition. Kali was very angry at her defeat. Lord Shiva appeased her anger by telling her that he would perform a pleasing dance – “Raksha dance” at this place.

Goddess Kali was pleased to witness Lord Shiva’s dance and can be seen gracing the devotees by the name of “Tharka Madha” in a separate shrine. This shrine is at a distance of about one kilometre from the Thiruvirkolam temple.

Salient Features
The unique feature of this temple is that Lord Shiva’s procession idol (Utsavar) can be seen holding a bow and arrow in his hands. Such an idol is very rare and cannot be seen anywhere else.
The Shiva lingam here is “Theendaa Thirumeni” and is always covered by an armour (metal cover).

A unique custom followed in this temple is that devotees are to worship Goddess Thiripurasundari before worshipping Lord Thiripuranthakar.

Another speciality of this temple is that Goddess Thiripurasundari’s shrine is situated on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. This is considered to be more auspicious.

The significance of this Shiva lingam is that its colour changes to white before heavy rainfall and to red when the rain is less. This used to serve as an indication for rainfall. Saint Thiru Gnanasambandhar in his hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple has mentioned about the changes in the colour of this lingam. However, now the colour of the lingam does not seem to change. Apart from this phenomenon, Saint Thiru Gnanasambanthar also talks about the Thiripura Samharam in his hymns.