A Chola Temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati

Anyone familiar with Tamil history knows well about the innumerable contributions of the Chola dynasty towards erection of temples. One Such temple donated by Rajaraja Chola II to Ottaga Koothar stands magnificently at Koothanoor, Thiruvarur district, a place named after Ottaga Koothar himself.

This is one of the most important shrines for Goddess Saraswati. In this temple, Goddess Saraswati, dressed in white in the sanctum sanctorum, is enshrined in white lotus. In the lower right hand she holds chinmudra, in the left, a book, in the right upper hand, she holds the Atchara garland, and in the left upper hand the Amirtha kalasam.

The unique feature seen in this shrine is that the Goddess is seen with a third eye, like that of Lord Shiva.The third eye on the forehead is known to be the ‘wisdom eye’.

It is believed that if one worships this Goddess Saraswati, one can excel in education. The shrine is located at a distance of 20 km on the Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur road.