Thirukkoviloor - Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple

gokulkr · July 14, 2009

Thirukkoviloor - Sri Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple

Temple Location :

About the Temple:

This temple is situated in South Arcot district in Tamil Nadu. 2 miles away from Thirukoviloor, which is in between Vizhupuram to Kaatpaadi railway lane. Some other routes are from Pondicherry to Bangalore, Chitoor - Trichy (Via vellore) - Cuddalore, from Tiruvannamalai, Vizhupuram also have plenty of bus facilities. It is situated on the sea shore of Thenpennai river.

Specials:

According to Older tradition, "Ko" means cow in Tamil and Cow is related to Dharma. So, Cow is related Aathma if the people and the God is related to the person who is taking care of all the Cows, Goats etc. Since, Lord Narayana (Vishnu) is saying this message to the world, this place is called as "Tirukoviloor".
Both Saivam and Vaishnavam should be treated as a single one. This is the primary thing, which is taken care of by the Alwar at this place.
There should be no difference between these two castes. In this way this village is built without any racism.
This is one among the "Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetram". Other Ksthremas are Thirukkannankudi, Thirukkannapuram, Thirukkannanmangai and Kabisthalam.
The Sthalam is the starting point of the great, Naalaayira Divya Prabhandham explained to the World.

Sthlapuranam :

In this sthalam only, Naalayira Divya Prabandham was explained to the world and it can be said that it is the place of origin of it.

Poigai Alwar was born in Thiruvekka, is considered to be the Hamsam of Thiru Sangu of Sriman Narayanan, Bhoodhatalwar was born in Mahabalipuram, is considered to be the Hamsam of Thiru Ghadhai (Which is found in Lord Hanuman's hand) and Pei Alwar was born in Aadhikesava Perumal Koil in Thiru Myilai (Mylapore). All these 3 Alwars took their humanity Avathars to explain the specials and greatness of Lord Vishnu. All these 3 Alwars born in Sithirai year, in 7th Century, Iyppasi month.

Poigai Alwar belong to Ashtami and Thiruvona Natchatiram and was born on Tuesday. Bhoodhatalwar in Avittam on Wednesday Navami and Pei alwar in Sathayam on thursday (Dhasami). All these 3 Alwars born at different places but met all at once in Thirukkoviloor and in this sthalam, they got the Paramapadha life.

One day, all these 3 Alwars wanted to worship the Perumal in Thirukkoviloor, Sri Thiruvikraman. One fine day, they started from their respective places to worship the Perumal, separately. First, Poigai Alwar wanted to worship, but since it rained heavily, he went to a Brahmnar's house and asked for some place to stay for some time, since it was raining heavily. The Brahmnar gave him a small place in the house (can be said as the small hall).

Only one person can stretch his hands and legs and can feel somewhat comfortable with the place. At that time, Bhoodhatalwar, who was drowned completely due to rain, came there and asked the place to stay for sometime to the Brahmnanar. On seeing Bhoodhatalwar, Poigai Alwar who was sleeping in the room, said that one person can sleep and if it is two persons, we can sit comfortably. And then Pei Alwar came there and all of his dress and he himself was drowned in rain asked for some place there. Then, Poigai Alwar said that if it is one person, he can sleep and if it is two persons, they can sit and since it is 3 persons, they can only stand. And it is explained as a slogan by

"Oruvar Padukka - Iruvar Irukka - Moovar Nirkalam". Like this way only, all these 3 Alwars got introduced among themselves and showed their affection and love towards each other.

All these 3 Alwars, started to sing Andhadhees (song praise of God) and finally he gave seva to 3 Alwars. Cow is considered to be the sign of Dharma. The speciality and the way it is helpful to the world is one of the story that has to be explained.

Co - means cow, since, the speciality of cow is very much explained here, this sthalam is called "Koviloor". Cow is referred to the Dharma and since it helps largely towards the humanity, the name with which this sthalam is called so is acceptable.

Some more news on this Sthalam:

1. When Arjunan came along the Theertha yaatra, he came to this sthalam and took bath in Thenpennai River and worshipped Thiruvikraman. This is explained in Villi Bharatham.

2. Malaiyamaan Thirumudikkari, who is one of the 7 vallals, rulled this sthalam. His successor Maladar Komaan, also ruled this Ksthetram. It is explained in Agappaadal.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Thiruvikraman. The Perumal is also called as "Dahaleesan". Moolavar in Nindra, Nadantha (Ulagalantha) kolam facing East direction and his right leg lifted upwards towards the sky. And the great and a special thing is that the Sangu, which will be usually on the left hand is on the right hand and the Chakkaram which will be on the right hand is on the left hand.

Prathyaksham for Mahabali Chakravarthy, Mirugandar, Lord Brahma, Sownakar, Kaasyapar, Kaalavar, Indiran, (Kushi - Kusathwajan, Poigai, Bhutham and Pei Alwars, who are considered to be the first 3 Alwars.

Thayaar

The Thaayar of this sthalam is Poongoval Naachiyar.

Utsavar

The Utsavar is Aayanaar, Govalan (Gopalan).

The Utsavars show 3 sevas (Nindra, Kidantha and Veetriruntha (sleeping) Sevas).

Utsavar Thaayar name is Pushpa valli Thaayar.

Some more information about this Divyadesam :

The Lord's one thiruvadi is on the head of Chakravarthy Mahabali and the other thiruvadi is lifted towards the sky, which is done for measuring the earth.

The Lord asked for 3 feets in the Earth. Since, Mahabali could give Him only 2 feets, one finger on the right hand is questioning him for another, the third feet of the Earth. This is how the Moolavar is here in this temple. Periya pirattiyaar, Mahabali, Sukracchariyaar, Mirugandu Munivar, his first wife and three first Alwars are standing around the Moolavar.

Along the right hand, Lord Brahma and along the left hand is son of Mahabali, Namusi are devoting and doing pooja to the God.

Lots of Nayakar Kings and devotees who devoted the Lord small statues are found all over the pragharam.

Sannadhis:

Lord Durga
Lakshmi Narayanan
Lakshmi Varaagan
Lakshmi Narasimhan
Lord Ramar
Sri Aandal
Udayavar
Thiru Kacha Nambi and
Sri Manavala Maamunigal.

Mangalasasanam:

Thirumangai Alwar – 18 Paasurams.
Poigai Alwar - 2
Boothathalwar – 1
Total 21 Paasurams.

Manavala maamuni has also done Mangalasasanam here. All the controls of this temple are under the Emperumaanar Jeeyar and his follwers. Desikar has written "Dehaleesasthuthi" here.

Vimanam:

Srikara Vimanam. There is Gopuram in front and back of the temple.

Two gopurams are found (ie) one in front and another at the back. Front Gopuram is big gopuram and chariot is found close to it.

On the North side of the temple is found a small gopuram, which is built incompletely. Poigai Alwar wanted a small gopuram to be built with in a day and he himself wanted to build it. But, he could not build it since the daylight came. So, left the temple incompletely.

Inside the temple, the Kodi Maram (Dhwajasthambham) and the Gopura Vaayil (entrance) is found. This is said to be built by Thirumangai Alwar and then a big Mandapam built by King Pandiyan followed is the Moolasthanam (Where Moolavar is found).

Jahnava Nitai Das · July 14, 2009

I was there just yesterday. A very wonderful temple to visit. At present they are putting oil on the deity, so they block the darshan of the deity from the neck down. After three months the deity will be fully visible.

There is also a smaller deity of Vamana (holding umbrella and walking stick) behind the main altar on the parikrama path. The parikrama path is locked most of the time, so you will need to ask the watchman to open the parikrama marga so you can see the Vamana deity. You are supposed to see the Vamana deity before seeing the Trivikrama deity.