Feature Image Credits: Dinamalar
Koppur is a village in Tiruvallur district and is a wonder in the sense that it has 108 Sivan temples. Located in the Kadambathur block of the district, this small village located around 30 kms from the district headquarters was known as Tirukkapur 250 years ago. In course of time, the name changed to Koppur.
It is said that many Saivite sages used to live in this region before Vaishnavite Sage Ramanuja was born in Sriperumbudur, which is around 15 kms from this village.
The significance of this village is that there are 108 Shiva temples each having a Nandi (Lord Sivan’s vehicle) and small tank near. The water from these tanks were used to perform abishekam to the Siva Lingams once upon a time.
It is said that after the birth of Ramanuja in Sriperumbudur, many Saivite people were attracted to Vaishnavism as a result of which these temples became dilapidated with no rituals being done.
The villagers painfully note that there are only 10 Shiva temples that are above the ground now. Other temples have been encroached upon with houses and other properties built on them. The remaining temples and tanks are nowhere to be found now.
The people of the region have long demanded that these temple be taken up for renovation and the area be converted into a spiritual tourist destination.
(With inputs from Dinamalar and Kathir News)