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 Kanchipuram, Madurai, 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 Chennai, Trichy, Salem, 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).
