Maha Saraswati Temple, Koothanur (For education, knowledge, intelligence and welfare)

The importance of this temple is that it is the only temple exclusively dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi in Tamil Nadu. The vibration around this place is always energetic resulting from the chants of the pilgrims. It was the king Raja Raja Chola, who gifted this village to a poet, ‘Ottakoothar’. The king was highly impressed with this poetic artistry and named the village on his name. The occurrence of the Goddess Saraswati has a legend to say. Once, there happened a quarrel between lord Brahma and his wife Saraswati. The quarrel between both of them worsened and hence to teach them a lesson they were born as siblings in the Earth. When their parents started looking for suitable matches, they recalled their original relationship and approached lord Shiva for the solution. Lord Shiva made Saraswathi as part of the Ganga river and brought her to Koothanur as ‘Arasalar’ river. She was asked to remain here to come over the dispute. There are several stone inscriptions, vindicating the antiquity of the temple. People aspiring for wisdom, knowledge and education come to this shrine to pray to Saraswati. Children are joined to schools after performing pujas here. It is believed that her absolute bliss will give us education, knowledge, intelligence and welfare.