Veeratteswarar
Temple, Thirukkovilur, Kallakurichi
Veeratteswarar Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukovilur Town in Thirukovilur
Taluk in Kallakurichi District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is situated in
Kizhaiyur on the banks of Then Pennai River. Presiding Deity is called as Veeratteswarar
/ Andhaka Anthakan and Mother is called as Sivananthavalli / Periyanayaki. This
Temple is considered as one of the Atta
Veerattanam Temples (Atta means eight and Veeram means bravery).
The place was historically
called as Andhakapuram. Thirukovilur is considered as the birth place of
Meiporul Nayanar. Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar, one of the famous Nayanmars, lived
in this place. Thirukovilur is also considered as the birth place of the great
Chola King Arulmozhi Varman, popularly known as Rajaraja Chola I, his mother
Vanavan Maadevi and his elder brother Adithya Karikalan.
The temple is revered
in Thevaram Hymns and hence it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This Temple is the 11th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. The famous Vinayakar Agaval by poetess Avvaiyar dedicated
to Vinayaka was sung in this temple. Lord Muruga of this temple is praised in
the Thirupugazh hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams is located
nearby.
Legends
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History
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The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from
6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.p.m.
Poojas & Worship Practices
The temple follows Saivite
tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals)
during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu,
the priests belong to the Shaivite community, a Brahmin sub-caste.
The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Kalasanthi at
6:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 11:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at
6:00 p.m., Irandam kalam at 7:30 p.m., and Ardha
Jamam between 8:00 - 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three
steps: alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering)
and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Veeratteswarar and Periyanayaki.
Festivals
13 Days Masi Magam festival (Masi
Brahmotsavam) in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) (Andhakasura Samhara Murthy
is taken in procession on the 6th day of the festival), Karthigai
Somavaram during the Tamil month of Karthigai (October - November) and
Manickavasagar festival during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December
- January) are the most prominent festivals celebrated in the temple.
All Aadi Fridays in July-August,
Purattasi Navaratri in September – October, Aipasi Annabishekam, Skanda Sashti
and Soora Samharam in October – November, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Thiru
Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec) and Aani Thirumanjanam in
June-July are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. Pradosham is also
regularly observed.
Religious Significance
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Literary Mention
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Prayers
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Contact
Veeratteswarar Temple,
Keezhaiyur, Thirukovilur,
Kallakurichi District – 605 757
Phone: +91 4153 252 220 / 253 532
Mobile: +91 93456 60711 / 94862 80030
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
700 meters from Government Hospital Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Thirukovilur Bus
Stand, 2 Kms from Thirukovilur Railway Station, 36 Kms from Viluppuram, 38 Kms
from Villupuram Junction Railway Station, 46 Kms from Kallakurichi, 162 Kms
from Trichy Airport and 182 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated in
Kizhaiyur on the banks of Then Pennai River. There are Buses available from Bus
Stand to this temple. Devotees has to get down at Government Hospital Bus Stop
and then can take a share auto to reach this Temple.