KOYAMBEDU, THE northwestern suburb of the city, has acquired name and fame as the place housing the Central Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT). The place is also known for its wholesale and retail markets selling fruits and vegetables. But many are not aware that it has Puranic connections and that its original name was Kusa-Lava-Puri, which later got corrupted to Koyambedu, with two temples dedicated to Narayana and Siva, situated close to each other. According to legend, the sage Valmiki lived here and both the temples existed during his time.
Lord Siva, known here as Kurungaleeswarar, was worshipped by Lava and Kusa, who were brought up by the sage along with their mother, Sita, when she was exiled to the forest. The temple, which faces north, has a three-tier Rajagopuram. The holy water source is situated in front of the temple and the jackfruit tree is the "sthala vriksham". The temple has sub-shrines dedicated to Brahma, Chandikeswarar, Dakshinamurthi and Vishnu Durgai. The images of the Thevaram trio and Manickavasagar, Gnana Saraswathi, Mahalakshmi, Subramania, Vinayaka and Sastha are enshrined in the outer prakaram.
The goddess, known as Dharmasamvardhini, is worshipped in a separate shrine and a feature of the idol is that her left foot is projected forward. It is said that a demon lived in the area and the goddess put her left foot forward before leaving her abode to kill him. (One is asked to put his right foot forward before leaving for auspicious functions. It may be mentioned that Anjaneya, before entering Lanka, also put his left foot forward, according to the Ramayana.) Arunagirinathar, in his Thiruppugazh, has referred to the place as Kosai Nagar. Though an ancient temple belonging to the Ramayana period, it has not been sanctified by the hymns of the Saivite saints. But the temple has 14 inscriptions, which date back to the period of Kulothunga Chozhan III and the Vijayanagar kings. These inscriptions, besides explaining the gifts made to the temple, show that the area formed part of Mangattu Nadu in Kulothunga Chozha Valanadu in Puliyur Kottam of Jayankonda Chozha Mandalam. They give the name of the place as Kosai Nagar, Koyattipuram and Prayachithapuram and call the deity Kurungalaandar. Kulothunga Chozhan is said to have ruled in the 12th Century and the temple here was reportedly built during this period.
Kurungaleeshwar Temple
The pillars of the mandapams in the temple are full of exquisite sculptures and carvings. Thiruvalam Sri Mouna Guruswamigal installed a new "Panchavarna Navagraha" idol in the temple. The Brahmotsavam or the main festival is celebrated in the Chithirai month. The temple was renovated three years ago and the Kumbabishekam took place on February 11, 2000.
The presiding deity in the Perumal Temple is known as Vaikundavasa Perumal. The Moolavar idol was worshipped by Sage Valmiki, Lava and Kusa, according to legend. There is no Rajagopuram, but beautiful "Dasavathara" images are found at the main entrance. There are separate shrines for Kanakavalli Thayar and Andal. Unlike in other temples, where Vaikunda Perumal will be found in the sitting posture, the Moolavar idols of the Lord and His Consorts here are in the standing posture. The Utsavar is known as Azhagiasingar and there is an unconfirmed report that the Thelliyasingar deity in the Parthasarathy Temple at Thiruvallikeni, was kept here during the alien invasion or due to some riots in the area. The Utsavar is found flanked on either side by Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The Utsavar images of the Goddess, Andal, Sudarsana, Azhwars, Vishwaksenar and Ramanuja are also worshipped here.
The temple is famous for its beautiful images of Sita and Rama. While Rama is found wearing a dress made from tree bark and is without a crown as he was found when he spent 14 years in the forest, the image of Sita is like that of any ordinary woman with her hairdo in what is known as "Kodali Kondai" as she stayed in Valmiki's Ashram. The holy water source is called as the Kusa-Lava Theertham and the "sthala vriksham" is the pipal tree. There is an ancient manuscript of the Ramayana in Telugu letters and its title is Vaithya Ramayanam and it is well preserved. The main festival is celebrated for 10 days in the Tamil month of Ani. Special festivals are held almost every month. This temple also dates back to the period of Kulothunga Chozhan III.
The temple is famous for Sunday Raghu Kala Pooja. Devotees come in large numbers @ 4:00 PM with lemon and attend the mass pooja. They take back a lemon and keep it at their home. If one continues this tradition for eleven continuous sundays ... their wishes will be fulfilled!!!
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