This is the 43rd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 11th Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. During 6th to 7th Century, this place was called as Thirukovalur and the same was corrupted to the present name of Thirukoilure / Thirukovilur. The ancient name is Andhakapuram. Thirukoilure / Thirukovilur is on the banks of Thenpennai River. This is one of the atta veeratta sthalams where Anthakasuran was killed by Lord Shiva. This is also the birth place of Meiporul Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars
As per Sekkizhar’s Periya Purana, Thirugnanasambandar, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvathigai and Thiruvamathur, reached this temple at Thirukovilur.
கோவல் நீடிய வீரட்டம் அமர்ந்தவர் குரைகழல் பணிந்து ஏத்தி ஆவின் ஐந்து உகந்து ஆடுவார் அறையணி நல்லூரை அணைந்து ஏத்திப் பாஅலர்ந்த செந்தமிழ்கொடு பரவுவார் பரவுசீர் அடியார்கள் மேவும் அன்புறு மேன்மைஆம் தன்மையை விளங்கிட அருள் செய்தார்
Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
படைகொள் கூற்றம் வந்துபெய்ப் பாசம்விட்ட போதின்கண் இடை கொள்வார் எமக்கிலை எழுகபோது நெஞ்சமே குடைகொள்வேந்தன் மூதாதை குழகன்கோவ லூர்தனுள் விடைதேறுங் கொடியினான் வீரட்டம் சேர்துமே....திருஞானசம்பந்தர் செத்தையேன் சிதம்பன் நாயேன் செடியனேன் அழுக்குப்பாயும் பொத்தையே போற்றி நாளும் புகலிடம் அறிய மாட்டேன் எத்தைநான் பற்றி நிற்கேன் இருளற நோக்க மாட்டாக் கொத்தையேன் செய்வவ தென்னே கோவல் வீரட்டனீரே..... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் -“சொல்வண்ணம் நாவலர் போற்று நலம் பெறவே ஓங்குதிருக் கோவலூர் வீரட்டங் கொள் பரிசே”.... திருவருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Veeratteswarar Consort : Sri Sivanthavalli, Sri Periyanayagi
Some of the features of this temple are....The temple is on the south bank of Pennai river. The temple is facing west with a 4 tiers Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Shiva and Ambal Sannidhis are built as separate Temples with separate entrances. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of swayambhu and big in size with Nagarabaranam. ( it was told tried to take out for maintenance but couldn’t do so since the starting point of Linga banam even after 25 feet below the earth). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Ashtabhuja Durgai.
In Parakaram, Somaskandar, Mahavishnu, Valli Devasena Arumuga Perumal, Gajalakshmi, Natarajar Sabha with Manickavasagar & Sivakami, Kabilar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Surya Lingam, Viswanathar Visalakshi, Ekambareswarar, Pancha bhoota Lingas, Arthanareeswarar, Agasthiyar, Suryan, Thirugnanasambandar, Jadamuni, Ayyanar, Veerabhadra, Brahmi, Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Vinayagar and 63var.
In urchavars / procession deities Anthakasura samharamurthy, Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar and Meiporul Nayanar.
Ambal temple is also facing west, as separate temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar and Subramaniyar. Rishabam and Nandhi are in front.
Other features of this place Thirukoilure/ Thirukovilur are, one of the 108 Divya Desam of Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple, Srimath Naaniyar Swami Madalayam, Gugai Namasivayar Jeeva Samadhi, Kabilar Kundru ( Kabilar, arranged marriage of Pari’s Daughters Angavai and Sangavai but couldn’t do so. He requested Avvaiyar to help, sat facing North and died after fast. Avvaiyar was able to convince Deiveegan and Yenadhi Kannan sons of Thirumudikari to marry the girls ).
The 15th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva and Murugan of this temple and sung hymns in praise of Lord Murugan.
ஆவ ஆர்வன நான்மறை யாதி மூல பராவரி யாதி காணரி தாகிய பரமேசா ஆதி யாரருள் மாமுரு கேச மால்மரு கேசுர னாதி தேவர்க ளியாவர்கள் பணிபாத கோவ தாமறை யோர்மறை யோது மோதம் விழாவொலி கோடி யாகம மாவொலி மிகவீறும் கோவை மாநகர் மேவிய வீர வேலயி லாயுத கோதை யானையி னோடம் பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThe original temple was built during 7th Century by Nandhivarma Pallavan and latter renovated / reconstructed and extended during Nandhivarman-III, Nirupathungavarman, Rashtrakooda Kings, Krishnan-III, Chozha Kings Parantaka Chozha, Rajarajan-I, Rajendra Chozha-I and Rajarajan-III,
Since Rajarajan’s mother belongs to this place and it is believed that Chozha King Rajaraja Chozhan was born here. Rajarajan’s period inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual lamps for which his Sister Kundavai has donated a Golden flower, 300 Saava moova peradukal / sheeps and 2000 kalanju gold to the sabhai.
As per the inscriptions this place was called as Thirukovalur and Lord Shiva was called as Thiruveeratanamudaya Nayanar.
Vikrama Chozhas 10th year reign inscription records the endowment of 4 perpetual lamps for which 2400 kuli of land was gifted by Kiliyur Malayaman Nanootruvan Malaiyan alias Rajendra Chozha Sethirayan to Thivunnalikai sabhai, Devankudi of a devathana Village.
Rajaraja Chozha’s 2nd year reign inscription records the endowment of worship and offering for which gift of land 3150 kuli at Puratha field, ( Puratarukkal ), 850 kuli of land in the field Durgaiyar vattam, 1500 kuli land Paruttikollaippadu and 1500 kuli of reclaimed land totalling to 7000 kuli of land, by Mambakkilan of Devankudi.
Rajadhiraja-II’s 4th year reign inscription records the endowment of 30 sandhi lamps lights up to arthajama puja, for which a tax free gift of 1 ½ veli land in Madivallan Tirunandavanambu Kiliyut Malaiyaman Periya Udaiyan Iraiyuran alias Rajaraja Sethiyarayan of Perumpadikaval.
LEGENDAnthakasuran samhara sthalam. Natarajar's posture with thirisoolam is to be seen. A relief of this story is carved on the wooden chariot. Meiporul Nayanar lived and had done service at this temple. Avvaiyar has sung the famous “Vinayagar Agaval” starts with “Seetha kalaba chenthamari poompatha Silambu pala Isai pada …..”, in this temple. Hence Avvaiyar reached kailash before Sundarar through Vinayagar's trunk.
As per the Legend this is the place where Lord shiva destroyed Andhakasura. The legend goes like this. Ma Parvati closed the eyes of Lord Shiva. Since lord’s eyes are believed to be Sun and moon, the universe has become darkness. The Darkness too the form of Andhakasura. Andha means darkness or ignorance. Andhakasuran did penance of Lord Shiva and obtained boon of non death. This made him more powerful and started torturing the devas of celestial words. Unbearable torture, Devas complained to Lord Shiva. Lord shiva struck Andhakasuran with his soolam / trident and lifted in the air ( this is the only place where a Demon is lifted in other 7 occurrence Lord Shiva destroyed the on the ground ). Every blood drop dripped on the earth, grew another demon. This has become a big battle between Lord Shiva and the Demons. Ma Parvati collected blood in bowl before it reaches the ground. Some how some blood dropped and in straight vertical and horizontal lines forming 64 squares. Again 64 demons came out. Lord Shiva created 64 Bhairavas and Killed all.
In the mean time The Demon’s Guru Shukracharya created more and more Asuras / Demons to fight against Lord shiva. Seeing this Lord shiva swallowed Shukracharya. The Shukracharya realized his mistake pleaded to Lord Shiva to forgive him and worshiped him. Pleased his devotion Lord Shiva gave the boon of rebirth in this universe and raised him to the status of one of the planet Shukra.
Vinayagar as Periyanai Ganapathy on the South west corner of the prakara is big in size and there a legend associated with Vinayagar. When Avvaiyar knew that Sundarar is going to Kailash, she also wanted to go there and does pooja hurriedly. Knowing her urgency, Vinayagar asked to do pooja slowly and he will lift her to Kailash before Sundarar reaches Kailash. So Avvaiyar sung the hymns as ‘Seetha kalaba Senthamarai poo... சீதக்களப செந்தாமரைப் பூ...“
It is believed that Vinayagar, Murugan, Rama, Parasurama, Krishnan, Indra, Yama, adhiseshan, Goddess Kali, Saints Roma Rishi, Kannuva Rishi, Pathanjali, Vyakrapadar, Saptarishis, Kaman and Vanasuran worshiped Lord Shiva of this Temple.
A Parihara Sthalam for Sukra to get rid of curse and sins from previous birth. People also worships to remove marriage obstacles and Vasthu problems in construction of buildings or houses.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,10 days Masimaha peruvizha ( on 6th day Andhakasura samhara function will be conducted ), Karthigai somavaram Sangu Abhishekam ( conch – bath ), Laksharchana on Sashti, Navaratri, Vasanthotsavam in Chithirai, etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe Temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :Mobile numbers +91 93456 60711, 94862 80030 and land line numbers +91 4153 252220, 253532 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH :The temple is about a 1.2 KM from, Thirukovilur Bus Stand.Lot of buses are available from Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, Panruti. The temple is about 4 KM from Arakandanallur, 37 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 37 KM from Villupuram and 200 Km from Chennai.Nearest Railway Junction is Arakandanallur and Railway Junction is Villupuram.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Sthala Purana - Lord Shiva killing Andhakasura
Sthala Purana - Lord Shiva killing Andhakasura 
Vinayagar lifting Avvaiyar to Kailash
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Moolavar : Sri Veeratteswarar
Sthala Purana - Lord Shiva killing Andhakasura
Vinayagar lifting Avvaiyar to Kailash
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