Komaleeswarar Temple Chennai

Komaleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Pudupet, well-known locality near Egmore in Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Komaleeswarar and Goddess is called as Komalambigai. The Temple is situated on the banks of Vriddha Ksheera River, now called as Koovam.

The temple is considered more than 350 years old and is situated off the Harris Road / Adithanar Saalai. The area around the Komaleeswarar temple is known as Komaleeswaranpet but is more popularly referred to as Pudupet. The temple is popular due to its association with the 18th century dubash, Pachaiyappa Mudaliar and Saint Sakkarai Ammal.

The temple was believed to be constructed by the King of Chandragiri about 400 years before and latter Rajagopuram was added. An inscription dated 1816 AD is found on the walls of this temple which mentions about the noble Kaingaryam (service) of a lady named Kuppammal, who is the wife of Baba Sah, a Sourashtra silk merchant from Triplicane. The temple is popular due to its association with the 18th century dubash, Pachaiyappa Mudaliar. Vallal Pachaiyappa Mudaliar who resided at this locality, had a routine of bathing in the Cooum River daily before visiting this temple to worship the Lord.

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajastambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found facing the sanctum and situated immediately after the Rajagopuram. The temple complex consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Komaleeswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durga are the nice idols located around the sanctum walls.

Legends

A group of boys herding cows on the banks of the Vriddha Ksheera River (old name of Koovam) saw a wild cow showering its milk on an anthill. They made attempts to catch it but it got away each time. One day, the boys, determined to catch the cow, silently hid behind the trees, and when the cow appeared and started showering its milk, ran towards it in a group.

The startled cow ran away and disappeared among the bushes. In the process, its full udder hit the anthill and broke a portion of it. A Shiva Linga was found inside the anthill. The Shiva lingam inside the anthill came to be known as Komadiswara (Ko – cow, and Madi – Udder) as it was the cow’s udder that had led to identifying his presence. Over time, Komadiswara became Komaleeswarar.

It is strongly believed that if people with health ailments and problem of debt worship the Lord regularly, all their problems will get solved. It is also a prarthana sthala for unmarried persons and childless couples.

Maha Sivarathri, Navarathri Utsavam, Vasanthothsavam, Karthikai Deepam, Aarudhra Dharisanam and Pradosham are some of the days in which special poojas are performed in the temple.