Tirukoilur

Tirukkovilur திருக்கோயிலூர்
Town Panchayat
Tirukkovilur Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 11°57′N 79°12′E / 11.95°N 79.2°ECoordinates: 11°57′N 79°12′E / 11.95°N 79.2°E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Viluppuram district
Named for	Temples and Heritage
Government
• Type	Sirappu Peruratchi
• Body	Chairman
Elevation	73 m (240 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	446,531[1]
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Vehicle registration	TN-32

Tirukoilur or Tirukkoyilur also called Thirukkovalur or Kovalur.^[2] is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As the name says "koil" (means temple in Tamil language) it is famous for the temples. It is also spelled as Thirukkovilur or Thirukkoiloor situated on the banks of Pennar river. The Veerataneshwara Shiva temple at East Thirukoilur and Ulagalantha Perumal temple, at west Tirukoyilur are located in this town. It was once a ruling city called Miladu Naadu or Malai Nadu ruled by the powerful king Malaiyamān Thirumudi Kāri of Malayaman dynasty, he is considered one of the seven greatest "Bestowers" of the last Sangam era. It was later succeeded by early chola king Killivalavan.

East and West Tirukoilur (Keelaiyur and Melur)

The Greatest Tamil king Rajaraja Cholan and his brother, The most powerful Chola Prince Aditya Karikalan was born in Keelaiyur, Tirukoilur. Raja Raja cholan was born as Arulmozhi Varman, 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 Tirukoilur 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. Tirukkoyilur is located at 11°57′N 79°12′E / 11.95°N 79.2°E.^[3] It has an average elevation of 73 metres (239 feet).

Thirukovilur temple tower

Demographics

As of 2014 India census,^[4] Tirukkoyilur had a population of 1,11,27,108. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Tirukkoyilur 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 Tirukkoyilur, 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

Tirukoilur 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 Angavai and Sangavai were married to Malayaman's son Deivegan 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 Tirukoilur, as Arulmozhivarman, the third child of Parantaka Sundara Chola and Vanavan Devi of the Malayaman dynasty.

Significance

Tirukoilur, is a place where Vaishnavites(Worshipper's of Lord Vishnu) and Shivites( Worshipper's of lord Shiva) co-existed with peace and harmony, knowing that Hari and Shiva are the different forms of same almighty.

Tirukoilur 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 Tirukoilur 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.

Tirukoilur is also a very regarded place for madhwas (followers of Dvaitha philosophy of Sri Madhwacharya). Manampoondi is a small village located between Tiruvanamalai and Tirukoilur. Manampoondi is 36 km away from Tiruvannamalai. It is at a distance of 2 km from Tirukoilur. 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 Tirukkovilur.^[5]

Transport

Tirukoilur is well connected by Road & Rail.

Road

You have direct buses to major cities such as Chennai, Trichy, Salem Bengaluru, Kallakkurichi and Puducherry. From Viluppuram for every 10 to 15 minutes and from Tiruvannamalai every 10 to 15 minutes you will get buses to Tirukoilur. It is placed 33 km from Tiruvannamalai in Southeast direction,37 km from Villupuram in Southwest Directions.

Train

A broad gauge railway line between Katpadi Junction and Villupuram passes through Tirukoilur and Tiruvannamalai. Passengers can board an Express / Passenger train to Katpadi / Vellore or Villupuram. The nearest major railway station is at Viluppuram Junction(40 km).

Air

The nearest airport is at Puducherry Airport (70 km), Tiruchirapalli International Airport (180 km) and Chennai International Airport (198 km).

References

1. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=685071
2. "thirukoyilur (kOvalur vIrattam) sthala puranam". www.shaivam.org. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
3. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tirukkoyilur
4. "Census of India 2014: Data from the 2014 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
5. http://www.gnanananda.org/swami_gnananda.html

<http://tirukoilur.yahuu.in/> <http://www.saigan.com/heritage/temple/tirukoil.htm/>