Chennai: Seeped in rich ancient political and religious history Thirukovilur, a temple town in Villupuram district near here, is waking up to development and is getting readied to welcome hundreds of visitors. Recently, the state government had come forward to provide more infrastructure and this initiative will ensure more amenities around the ancient Sri Veerateshwar temple. The town is also held in esteem by Vaishnavites as it houses the renowned Sri Trivikrama or Ulagalanda Perumal temple, on the southern banks of Krishnabhadra. Besides here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Ulagalanda Perumal at neighbouring Kanchi.
Thirukovilur, about 190 km from here, is one of the “Ashta Veeratanams” (eight places of bravery) and it is believed that Lord Shiva took various forms (incarnations) to destroy evil and establish justice manifested Himself at Thirukovilur. The goddess of the Veerateswarar temple, on the banks of river Pennar, is Brhannayaki. Legend has it that Avvayaar wrote the famous “Vinayagar Agavel” at this temple.
It is said the greatest Tamil king, Rajaraja Chola, and his brother, Chola Prince Aditya Karikalan were born in Keelaiyur, Thirukovilur. About 1,000 years ago, Thirukovilur was regarded as one of the four largest cities in the southern region almost on par with the all time famous pilgrimage towns of Kancheepuram, Madurai and Thanjavur. The Sri Raghothama Theertha Brindavanam of the famous saints of Sri Madhwa parampara, Sri Raghotamma theertharu, along the banks of river Pinakini, is located about 36 km from Tiruvannamalai and 2 km before Thirukovilur, on Tiruvannamalai — Thirukovilur highway.
According to an order issued by Mr R. Kannan, principal secretary, tourism, culture & religious endowments department, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa ordered to provide basic facilities at 14 important tourist centres, at a total cost of Rs 10.58 crore including Thirukovilur in Villupuram district. About Rs 1.27 crore would be spent to improve tourist infrastructure at Thirukovilur including establishing promenade, on Sannadhi street and sanitary complex around Sri Veerateswarar temple and water supply work.
