Saturday, December 26, 2015

Thirukovilur, Villupuram

Thirukovilur, Villupuram
Tirukoyilur also called Tirukkovalur or Thirukkovilur is a panchayat town in Villupuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As the name says "koil" (means temple in Tamil language) it is famous for the temples. The Veerattaaneswarar Shiva temple at East Thirukkoilur and Ulagalantha Perumal temple, at west Tirukoyilur are located in this town.

East & West Thirukovilur (Keelaiyur & Melur)
The Greatest Tamil king Rajaraja Cholan and his brother, the most powerful Chola Prince Aditya Karikalan was born in Keelaiyur, Tirukoyilur.
Raja Raja Cholan was born as Arulmozhidevan, also called as Ponniyin Selvan (son of river Kaveri),"Raasakandiyar" was the third child of Parantaka Sundara Chola. Rajaraja literally means King of Kings.

Rajaraja Chola's mother, Vaanavan Maadevi, was the daughter of Thirukkovilur king, Malayamaan Thirumudi Kaari.
Before 1000 years Tirukoyilur was one of the four largest cities in Tamil Nadu like other cities named KanchipuramMadurai, and Thanjavur. In later period Kings like Adiyamman demolished the city. Proof in Thanjavur Big Temple. Tirukoyilur is located at 11.95°N 79.2°E. It has an average elevation of 73 metres (239 feet).

Demographics
As of 2014 India census, Tirukoyilur had a population of 39,108. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Tirukoyilur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 73%. In Tirukoyilur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. East of the town has the Sivan Temple situated on the banks of River Thenpennai. Near to the temple, middle of the river, there exists Kabilar (Poet) Kundru (hillock).
History
Tirukoyilur is a place of historic importance. King Malayaman (Malayaman Dynasty), who is famous for his war and administrative skills ruled from here. "Vallal" Pari (Vallal - patron king, Pari is one of the 7 patron kings who supported "poets" and scholars. They are famous for their charitable activities. Daughters of Paari, Angavai and Sangavai were married to Malayaman's son Deiveegan and the marriage ceremony took place in a place called "Manam Poondi" (manam - wedding, Poondi - lock/bond; place where the wedlock happened).

Malayaman's grandsons the great Aditya Karikalan and his brother, The famous chola king Raja Raja Chola Rajaraja Chola was born in Tirukoyilur, as Arulmozhivarman, the third child of Parantaka Sundara Chola and Vanavan Devi of the Malayaman dynasty.

Significance
Tirukoyilur is a place where Vaishnavites (Worshipper's of Lord Vishnu) and Shaivites (Worshipper’s of lord Shiva) co-existed with peace and harmony, knowing that Hari and Shiva are the different forms of same almighty.
Tirukoyilur is one of the "Ashta Veeratanams" (Ashta - eight Veeratanam - Place of Bravery). Lord Shiva took various forms (incarnations) to destroy evil and establish justice, of which eight Avatars (forms) are very famous and Tirukoyilur is one among the places where these Avatars emerged. Ambal (meaning Mother) (better half of lord Shiva), is called as "Brahan Nayaki" (Brahan - universe Nayaki - Leader/Queen). She is called the Queen of the Universe/ Mother of all beings in the Universe.

Lord Shiva's temple has a separate Sannadhi (sacred room) for Lord Ganesha, which has historical and epic importance. Here is the place where "Avvaiyar" (Tamil Poet - Tamil king's court had many Women Poets, Ministers and Warriors) got the blessings of Ganesha and wrote the famous verse "Vinayagar Agaval", which has wonderful Yoga Techniques and has lot of Meta-Physics in it.

Tirukoyilur is also a much regarded place for madhwas (followers of Dvaitha philosophy of Sri Madhwacharya). Manampoondi is a small village located between Thiruvannamalai and Tirukoyilur. Manampoondi is 36 km away from Thiruvannamalai. It is at a distance of 2 km from Tirukoyilur. On the banks of River Thenpennai we can find the Moola Brindavana of Sri Raghuutthama Teertha (1595 A.D) and Sri Satyapramoda Teertha (1997), very eminent pontiffs of Uttaradi Mutt of Madhwa lineage.

The Tapovanam or Brindavanam of the great Hindu saint Gnanananda Giri is located on the banks of the river at Thirukkovilur.
Tourism
Anthili Narasimha Temple:
Kabilar Kundru:
Sivaloganathar Temple:
Athulya Nadheswara Temple, Arakandanallur:
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple (Trivikrama Temple):
Sri Veeratteswarar Temple:
Connectivity
Thirukovilur is on the Panruti-Vellore route. Bus facilities are available from Villupuram. Tirukoyilur is well connected by Road & Rail.
By Road:
You have direct buses to major cities such as ChennaiTrichySalem, Bengaluru and Pondicherry. From Villupuram for every 10 to 15 minutes and from Thiruvannamalai every 10 to 15 minutes you will get buses to Tirukoyilur. It is placed 33 km from Thiruvannamalai in Southeast direction, 37 km from Villupuram in Southwest Directions.
By Rail:
A broad gauge railway line between Katpadi Junction and Villupuram passes through Tirukoyilur and Thiruvannamalai. Passengers can board an Express / Passenger train to Katpadi / Vellore or Villupuram. The nearest major railway station is at Villupuram Junction (40 km).
By Air:
The nearest airport is at Puducherry Airport (70 km), Tiruchirapalli International Airport (180 km) and Chennai International Airport (198 km).