Tirukoilur

East and West Tirukoilur (Keelaiyur and Melur)

Before 1000 years Tirukoilur was one of the four largest cities in Tamil Nadu like other cities named Kanchipuram, Madurai, and Thanjavur. In later period Kings like Adiyamman demolished the city. Proof in Thanjavur Big Temple. Tirukkoyilur is located at 11.95°N 79.2°E / 11.95; 79.2. It has an average elevation of 73 metres (239 feet).

Demographics

As of 2014 India census, Tirukkoyilur had a population of 30212. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Tirukkoyilur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 73%. In Tirukkoyilur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

Tirukoilur is a place of historic importance due to malaiyaman chieftains

Significance

Tirukoilur, is a place where Vaishnavites(Worshipper's of Lord Vishnu) and Shivites( Worshipper's of lord Shiva) co-existed with peace and harmony, knowing that Hari and Shiva are the different forms of same almighty.

Tirukoilur is one of the Ashta Veeratanams [Ashta – eight Veeratanam – Place of Bravery]. Lord Shiva took various forms(incarnations) to destroy evil and establish justice, of which eight Avatars(forms) are very famous and Tirukoilur is one among the places where these Avatars emerged. Ambal (meaning Mother) [better half of lord Shiva],is called as "Brahan nayaki" [Brahan – universe Nayaki – Leader/Queen]. She is called the Queen of the Universe/Mother of all beings in the Universe.

Lord Shiva's temple has a separate sannadhi[sacred room] for Lord Ganesha, which has historical and epic importance. Here is the place where "Avvaiyar" (Tamil Poet – Tamil king's court had many Women Poets, Ministers and Warriors) got the blessings of Ganesha and wrote the famous verse "Vinayagar Agaval", which has wonderful Yoga Techniques and has lot of metaphysics in it.

Tirukoilur is also a very regarded place for madhwas (followers of Dvaitha philosophy of Sri Madhwacharya). Manampoondi is a small village located between Tiruvanamalai and Tirukoilur. Manampoondi is 36 km away from Tiruvannamalai. It is at a distance of 2 km from Tirukoilur. On the banks of River Thenpennai we can find the Moola brindavana of Sri Raghuutthama Teertha (1595 A.D) and Sri Satyapramoda Teertha (1997), very eminent pontiffs of Uttaradi Mutt of Madhwa lineage.

Adhirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, located in the outskirts of the town is another famous Vaishnavite site. The Tapovanam or Brindavanam of the great Hindu saint Gnanananda Giri is located on the banks of the river at Tirukkovilur.

Transport

Tirukoilur is well connected by Road & Rail.

Road

You have direct buses to major cities such as Chennai, Trichy, Salem Bengaluru, Kallakkurichi and Puducherry. From Viluppuram for every 10 to 15 minutes and from Tiruvannamalai every 10 to 15 minutes you will get buses to Tirukoilur. It is placed 33 km from Tiruvannamalai in Southeast direction,37 km from Villupuram in Southwest Directions.

Railway History

One of the Oldest railway station in Southern Railway. First Railway Track was proposed at 1857 from Walaja Road to Cuddalore via Tirukoilur.

A broad gauge railway line between Katpadi Junction and Villupuram passes through Tirukoilur and Tiruvannamalai. Passengers can board an Express / Passenger train to Katpadi / Vellore or Villupuram. The nearest major railway station is at Viluppuram Junction(40 km).

Train

The Chinnasalem town's railway station serves trains on the route to Mettur, Cuddalore, Nagore, Pondicherry, Salem, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.

Air

The nearest airport is at Puducherry Airport (70 km), Tiruchirapalli International Airport (180 km) and Chennai International Airport (198 km).