Sri Thiruvikrama Swamy temple, Thirukkovilur

 Sri Thiruvikrama Swamy Temple

Thirukkovilur, Tamil Nadu

After dashan at Tiruvannamalai, I started my journey to Sri Thiruvikrama Swamy (or) Ulagalantha Perumal temple at Thirukkovilur.

 This temple is one of the 108 Holy Divya Desam of Perumal. Main deity lord vishnu is made of Tharu-wood.  A tall statue of lord Vishnu made out of Tharu-wood is no where in Tamilnadu temples.

Interesting:

The tower of the temple is the third tallest in the state, the first at Sri Rangam, the second at Srivilliputhur.  This is a 11 tier 192 feet tall tower.  The temple area covers 5 acres.  Even after crossing the main tower, there are residential parts.  The place is praised as Nadu Nadu Tirupathi.  There is a temple for Lord Vamana Murthy in Tirukakarai in Kerala.  Vamanamurthi graces here from behind the presiding deity.

 

 Front View of the temple

 

                                           View from Inside the temple

 

Story of the temple

This is a very popular story of Lord Vishnu as a Vamana seeking three foot step land from Mahabali, which he could not afford as Lord had covered both earth and sky with two feet itself leaving no space for the third.

Sage Mrigandu wanted to have this Vishwarupa Darshan of Lord and approached Lord Brahmma for His advice.  Brahmma suggested that the sage go to Krishna Kshetra (now Tirukovilur) on the banks of Krishnabadra River to realize his wish.  The sage along with his wife Mitravathi came to this place and performed severe penance for the darshan of Lord.

 

 Pooja Schedule information of the temple

                                  

How did I reach:

I started from Thiruvannamalai, there are more frequent buses (Govt & private services) are available to Thirukkovilur. The distance about 35 km from tiruvannamalai and fare approx Rs. 15/-. You can also reach from Villupuram and distance from there it’s is 40 km & fare approx Rs. 20/-. No need to take any transportation from thirukkovilur bus stop to the temple as it’s situated very near by the bus stand. You could find a vegetable market that peoples are selling across the road on the way to the temple.

Accommodation is also available at Thirukkovilur. You could find many decent restaurant & lodges. Don’t expect that there are star rated.

The temple opening time is from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m

                                         

                                          View from inside the temple

                                                View of Sorga vasal (Gateway of Heven)

 Route map from Tiruvannamalai to Thirukkovilur (35 km)

Route map from Viluppuram to Thirukkovilur (40 km)

 See you in next post!