Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Temple

Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Temple is a Hindu shrine in Koothanur, Tamil Nadu, featuring Saraswati as the main deity in the central sanctuary, flanked by smaller shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vinayaka, and Murugan. The complex follows traditional South Indian temple architecture with separate spaces for worship of different gods.

Tamil poets Ottakoothar and Kambar documented their reverence for this temple through verses, establishing its significance in regional religious history. This literary recognition from important tamilic authors underscores the site's enduring importance across generations.

Students and scholars visit this shrine to seek blessings from Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, especially before exams and academic pursuits. The temple functions as a gathering place where people come to mark important moments in their educational journey.

The temple opens its doors daily across multiple time periods, allowing visitors to explore and pray throughout the day. Kumbakonam, a nearby major town with good transport links, is within reasonable distance and provides various options for reaching the shrine.

This is the only Hindu shrine in Tamil Nadu where Saraswati holds the position of primary deity, drawing visitors from across the region. The rarity of this arrangement makes it a special place for worshipping this particular goddess in South India.