The Origin of Cooum

When discussing Chennai, one cannot avoid the prominent Cooum River that gracefully traverses the city. Regrettably, this river, once revered, now stands as a disheartening symbol of neglect. Over the years, the citizens of Chennai have unwittingly transformed the Cooum into an open sewer, and sadly, the very name 'Cooum' has come to be synonymous with foul odors. It's important to note that this sad state of affairs is not the river's fault but a consequence of the blunders made by those dwelling along its banks. Let's delve briefly into the origins of this once-holy river.

In stark contrast to the actions of Chennai's inhabitants, the people in the outskirts of North Chennai and the Tiruvallur district have taken relatively better care of the Cooum River, at least when it had water, a rarity in recent years.

Originally, the Cooum was believed to be a sacred river, with many ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva adorning its banks. Even the Skanda Purana references these temples along the Cooum. While some contemporary historians speculate that the river's name may be derived from the word 'coopam,' meaning 'deep pit,' I find this theory lacking. Historical records consistently refer to it as the Cooum River. The true origin of this name remains shrouded in mystery.

The Cooum River emanates near the village of Pallipet in Tiruvallur district. In the village of Kesavaram, it branches into two rivers: the Kosasthalaiyar and the Cooum. Thus, Cooum becomes a tributary of the Kosasthalaiyar, with Kesavaram as its source. In 1942 CE, a dam was erected at this juncture to redirect the river's flow to the Poondi Reservoir, a critical source of drinking water for Chennai.

As you explore, may your travels be filled with curiosity and enlightenment.

Happy travelling.