Cooum

Cooum or Kuvam is one of the 2 rivers of Chennai, India, the other one being the Adyar River. The name of Cooum appears to be derived from Tamil Literature. The word "coovalan" denotes a person who is well versed in the science of hydrology. However, the name is most likely to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Koopam meaning spring or well.

The River Cooum originates in a village of the same name, about 70 km away from Chennai. Once a fresh water source is today a drainage course inside Chennai, collecting surpluses of 75 small tanks of a minor basin. The length of the river is about 65 km, of which 18 km fall within the Chennai city limits. Once a fishing river and boat racing ground, it has borne the brunt of the city's unplanned explosion. The Kesavaram dam diverts the river into the Chembarambakkam Lake from which water is utilized for the supply of drinking water to the city of Chennai. Thereafter, the flow of water in the river is much reduced.

However, in an ironic twist, during the tsunami of 2004 the empty waterway enabled it to take in much of the incoming ocean water. Some say this would not have been possible had the river been in full flow.

Two ancient Shiva temples are located at the source of the river. The first is Tiruvirkolam, is in Cooum village, and the other is at Ilambaiyankottur. These temples have been featured in the Thevaram sung by the Saivite saint Thirugnanasambandar.

The Cooum is mostly associated with its stench, but recently a project backed by the State Government, provides for the cleaning of the river by use of EBB (Eco Bio Blocks).

References

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2004/08/20/stories/2004082002350400.htm The Cooum associated with sanctity ]