Country Sri Lanka Important festivals Aadi Amavasai | Province Eastern District Ampara District | |
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Proper name Thirukkovil Arulmigu Citra Velayudha Swami Aalayam Tamil திருக்கோவில் அருள்மிகு சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம் Primary deity Sithiravelayuthar (his Vel) | ||
Thirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil (Tamil: திருக்கோவில் சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம்) is one of the most significant Hindu temples in Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka which is situated about 71 km south of Batticaloa town. Thirukkovil is the temple dedicated to Siththiravelayuthar (Cittiravēlāyutar, literally "One with elegant spear") who was once the primary and gurardian deity of whole Mattakkalappu Desam (Batti - Ampara districts nowadays). Thus this temple was known as "'Thesathukkovil" (Tēcattukkōvil,"Temple of Country") of the "country" of Batticaloa.
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Etymology
Since Kovil is the tamil equivalent of shrine, "Thirukkovil" is the term usually referred to all Hindu temples in Tamil language. "Mattakkalappu Purva charithiram", the 18th century CE Tamil chronicle of Eastern Sri Lanka, describes that there was a Subramanya temple in Nagarmunai and it was known "Thirukkovil" since it was the first temple constructed in agamic tradition in Batticaloa region. Since "Thirukkovil" is an unusual sacred term to Hindus, and here it is also used itself to indicate the village the temple situated also, This temple and village both are still praised for their infrequent holiness among the inhabitants of southeastern Sri Lanka.
The old name Nagarmunai is interpreted as it was one of the anicent settlements of "Naga tribe of ancient Sri Lanka. Another name indicating Thirukkovil, Kaṇṭapāṇantuṟai, is also mentioned in Purva Charithiram manuscript.
History
The origin of this temple is unknown and it is assumed that the temple might be the shrine of Vedda and Naga tribes. There was a small hut housing a Vel and Lingam and it is erected as a big temple according to Hindu architechture during the Chola invasion of Sri Lanka (993-1070 CE). Batticaloa chieftains ruled under Kandyan Kings from old Mattakalappu town, venerated the deity Murugan here as the guardian deity of their Batticaloa Territory. Historic records show that even Kotte King Vijayabahu VII and Kandy knig Rajasinha II also came here to revere the deity. Many Dutch maps of Ceylon indicates this temple as "Trincloy Pagoda", "Tricoy Pagood" and "Pagood de Trincoil", the names indicated in the eastcoast of Ceylon in the Dutch maps, undoubtedly show that they mention non other than this Thirukkovil temple.
The temple was looted and destructed by Portuguese in 1620s and it could only resurrect after two centuries. However, the rituals and its state importance through Batticaloa region were continued in its grievous period also. Thomas Christie, an Inspector of Hospitals of British Ceylon describes the antiquity of Sanctum, the sculptures and chariot belonged to Thirukkovil during his journey to Tangalle from Trincomalee in 1802.
Thesaththukkovil
Thirukkovil is usually referred as thesaththukkovil as well as thiruppadaikkovil. Thiruppadai Kovil (திருப்படைக் கோவில் Tiruppaṭaik kōvil Literally "Holy Temple of Soldiers' Camp or weapons") is the term referred to seven popular temples in Batticaloa region - Kokkadichcholai, Sithandy, Thirukkovil, Mandur, Kovil Porativu, Verugal and Ukanthai. They are believed to be revered by the Chieftains ruled the country. Some historians consider the term "paṭai" in Thiruppataik kovil refers to weapon of Murugan - Vel, and ignores Kokkadichcholai from Thiruppataik Kovil list as it is a Sivan temple.
Old Batticaloa District was divided into 8 "pattu"s (Administrative divisions) - Akkaraipattu, Karaivakupattu, Eruvilpattu, Manmunaippattu, Sammanthuraipattu, Porativupattu, Eravurpattu, Kiriwittipattu along with three other adjacent pattus - Koralaipattu, Panamaipattu and Nadukadupattu. Ritual rights in Thirukkovil Annual Festivals were shared with whole inhabitants of 7 main pattus and Panamaipattu of Batticaloa region. According to Temple records, it can be confirmed that this custom was continued till 1950s.
The structure of Sanctum is identified with Pandyan architecture. Inscriptions and Segments of broken sandstone pillars can be observed in the courtyard around the temple. Two main inscriptions are preserved in a small room south to temple entrance. One of them - Thambiluvil Inscription found in Thambiluvil Sri Kannaki amman temple tells about the donation of "Vovil" (probably an irrigation water source) by King Vijayabahu VII of Kotte kingdom (1507-1521) while the purpose of another inscription is unclear which is also donated by same King.
Annual Festival
Annual Festival of Thirukkovil is called as "Aadi Amavasai theertham" ("ஆடி அமாவாசைத் தீர்த்தம்""Āṭi amāvācait tīrttam" simply "tīrttam") which is a mega festival of South-East Sri Lanka. It is celebrated for 18 days and finished on Aadi Amavasya, the new moon day comes on Aadi month (July–August) of Tamil Hindu Calendar. Necrolatry carried out in the shore of Thirukkovil sea on an Adi Amavasai is considered to give peace to the spirits of ancestors. A Dutch merchant Johann Herman Von Bree states about the Annual Festival of Thirukkovil where the assembly of "Dessave" (Chieftain) and the thousand of people of Batticaloa happened in July month of 1603 CE.
Deterioration of Administration
Even after the colonial period, Temple was administrated by a conservative method based on clan system - பண்டு பரவணி ("Paṇṭu paravaṇi"). The "ஊர்ப் போடியார்" (Ūr pōṭiyā -Village Head) of Karunkoditivu, present Akkaraipattu, belongs to Mukkuvar caste played a main role in the administration while வண்ணக்கர் (Vaṇṇakkar, the Batticaloan equivalent post to President), belongs to Vellalar caste of Thambiluvil village supervised the rituals and other main activities of temple. Vaṇṇakkar is expected to be from prominent matriclans of Thambiluvil village - Kantan kuty and Seruvili Kuty while another majority clan of that village - "Kattapattan Kuty" enjoyed the Vannakkar post of the nearest Thambiluvil Amman Kovil.
A post named "வட்டாரப் பிரதிநிதி" ( Vaṭṭārap piratiniti, Regional representatives) was given to each villages and "Pattus" of Batticaloa ,from Panama to Kallady. Nur Yalman, a Turkish anthropologist observed "Kudukkai Kuruthal", a ritual based on Caste and Clan system, which can be still seen in another Thiruppadaikkovil Kokkadichcholai.
After the independence of the country, the reliability of Paṇṭu paravaṇi was questioned in the mid 20th Century and had to face many court cases. Since the old settlement around the temple was started to be distinguished as two villages separately - Thirukkovil and Thambiluvil, where the latter had the post of Vannakkar, the inhabitants of Thirukkovil raised their voice for the right to rule their own temple. And the old Mattakkalappu Desam divided de facto two new districts in 1961 - one remained in the same name while latter got the name "Amparai". As the capital of newly formed Batticaloa District, Mamangam, another ancient temple situated near Puliyantivu, which also celebrated its annual festival on Adi Amavasai, subsequently began to replace Thirukkovil in northern Batticaloa. As the results of these facts, Vaṭṭārap piratinitis north to Kalmunai ignore their responsibilities on temple. At last, Thirukkovil lost its primitive state significance permanently.
However,the Vannakkar-based Paṇṭu paravaṇi system still continues compromised along with the modern administration system of President, Secretary and Treasurer, and Thirukkovil Temple could maintain its position as "Tecathuk Kovil" with the homage of the Tamil inhabitants of Southern Batticaloa - known as Ampara District today. They still praise the guardian deity at Thirukkovil and celebrate his Mega fiesta "tīrttam" Festival annually with full of devotion and harmony.