Thirukkovilur

Tirukoilur chief Malayaman ruled from this place around the 13th century. Tirukoilur chiefs were friendly with the Kadavas and Magadai mandalam chiefs. Malaiyaman is related to the Cholas through marriage.

Lord Vishnu in the name Thiruvikkrama Swamy & Pushpavalli Thaayaar (Vaamana Avathaaram) temple is located in the center of the town. Town revolves around the temple. Tirukkovalur is the birth place of dravida vedam or Naalaayira Divya Prabhandham. This temple is one of the Nadu Naatu Tiruppathi temples comes under 108 Divya Desams and one among the pancha krishnaaranya kshetrams. To have a complete view of the temple one may visit the website www.thirukovalur.org. East of the town has the Sivan Temple situated on the banks of River Ponnaiyar (South Pennar River). Near to the temple, inside the river, there exists Kabilar(Saint) Kundru (tiny mountain).

The Lord is known as Ulagalanda Nathar meaning, “He measured the worlds in three steps. The Lord of the shrine is also known as Venugopalan. The presiding deity is made of wood. In no other shrine, the Lord is as tall as in Thirukovilur. Against the known tradition, the Lord holds the wheel in the left hand and the conch in the right.

Thirukovilur is one of the celebrated 108 Divyadesams and is significant in the Nadunadu region. The tower is 192 feet tall and is the third biggest in Tamilnadu. Sukra, the teacher of the demon king has a temple here.

The celebrated Nalayira Divya Prabandam (4000 songs in praise of Lord Vishnu and in praise of Sage Ramanuja) sung in praise of the Lord by the twelve Azhwars was born in this holy soil only. Poigai Azhawar, Boothathazhwar and Peyazhwar are the great devotees opening the first songs in the volume.

Krishnamachari Santhanam.