Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha:

The almighty supreme lord SRIMAN NARAYANA, purely out of compassion and mercy, wishes to redeem the mortals like us from the mundane cycle of birth and death and bless them with eternal bliss. For this purpose, he dwells in his favourite abodes called one hundred and eight Srivaishnava Divya Desams. Here, he reveals his luminous presence to us in lovable and enchanting forms so as to accept our lovable services and worship.Thirukkovalur is an ancient and holy Pilgrimage centre. The principal deity is Lord "Thrivikkrama" and His Consort is "Poongoval Thayar".

The Temple in this town dates back to 2,000 years and built by Pallava Kings. This place is called one of the "Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetras". The five Holy places are as below:

1. Thirukkovalur

2. Thirukannapuram

3. Thirukannangudi

4. Thirukannamangai

5. Thirukanna Kavithalam.

Sage Mrugandu had his abode in this place. His desire to see the lord mahavishnu in his "THRIVIKKRAMA AVATAR" Was fulfilled in this place.

"Maha Bali" was the King of Asuras. He performed a "Yaga". Mahavishnu adorned the Avatar of "Vamana" (Dwari) and wanted 3 feet of earth. Despite the interference of his 'Guru Sukrachariar', Bali willingly complied with the request of Vamana. Then Vamana transformed himself as 'Thrivikkrama and measured the whole universe by one foot and the sky by another foot. He wanted the King Bali to account for the 3rd foot. The King became Purified and bowed his head before 'Vamana'.  The Lord put his Lotus foot on the head Mahabali and blessed him. Sage Mrugandu who was not able to see the 'Thrivikkrama Avathar' of the lord did a penance and on the advice of Brahma, he came to the Bank of Pennar and prayed for lord's darsan in Thrivikkrama Avatar. The Lord was pleased at him and granted his desire. He showed him his "Thrivikrama Avathar' in this place. The Lord holds his right leg above, keeps his left leg on earth. Usually Mahavishnu holds his 'Chakra' in his right hand and the 'Sanka' in his left hand. In this place, this is changed vice-versa. This is because, the lord in his joy wanted to proclaim to the world about his 'Avatar'.

Naal aayira (4000) Dhivya Prabandham' is an ancient tamil literature comprising of 4,000 verses sung in praise of god by the twelve Alwars. This was inaugurated in this holy place, by Poigaialwar, Bhoothathalwar, and Peyalwar. The first was born in Kanchipuram, the second at Mahabalipuram and the third at Mylapore. These three Sages were on their pilgrimage. Poigaialwar was the first to arrive in this place. He wanted to stay at the Ashram of Mrugandu Maharishi. He was accommodated. There was heavy downpour then. Some time later Boothathalwar came and wanted shelter.  It was said that two people can sit and he was also allowed to sit with Poigaialwar. Now comes Peyalwar. He also wanted shelter. It was considered that 3 people can stand. Now all the Three Alwars are standing in the innyard and felt that a 4th person had entered their camp.

As it was dark, they could not find an explanation. They had no light. Then Poigaialwar sang a poem in Tamil wherein he said that the entire world of matter is a lamp. The ocean is the ghee and the bright sun is the flame. Bhoothathalwar responded by saying that the intense life is the moeptacle, yearning is the ghee and the mind pining away in bliss is the wick. Thus, the gnana deepa was lit so as to dispel the darkness of ignorance. As soon as he completed his song, the darkness vanished and the third visitor viz. Peyalwar had the vision of the Lord. He described what he saw and all the Alwars enjoyed this vision and the three bakthas began to sing the glory of the Lord in 100 verses each. They form part of Iyarpa, a portion of the Divya Prabhandam. Thus was born the Divya Prabandham at this sacred place viz. Thirukkovalur on a stormy night. 

The Vishnu temple here is very big. Bronzes of the first three Alwars are there in the garbagriha. It appears that the major portion of the temple was built during the Nayak rule.

Thirukovalur is famous in ancient Tamil literature as the headquarters of Malayaman chieftains who were known for their valour, generosity and love for literature. Avvaiyar and also Kabilar, two famous Tamil poets are connected with this place. The famous chieftain Pari's daughters Angavai and Sangavai were married here. Kabilar took charge of the girls after the death of his patron and their father Pari. It is said that after performing the marriage of the two girls to a Malaiyaman known as Deivigan, Kabilar committed suicide as he could not bear the separation of his patron Pari. Even now a small rock here is called Kabilar rock and there is a linga which according to tradition was worshipped by Kabilar.

Yet another significant aspect of this Divya Desam is that this is the place where Sri Desikar wrote his book "Dehalisa Stuti". The idol of Durga inside a vaishnavite temple is also a rather unusual phenomenon. It is believed that Durga came all the way from Vindhya mountains to this place in order to safeguard and protect Perumal. She is believed to be a great giver of boons. Even today as soon as neivedhyam and aaraadhana is performed to the Perumal and Thayar, it is done to Durga.

Moolavar in this place is Thrivikrama. He is seen  with the right leg lifted high as if it has measured the entire heavens. He is seen facing east. The Utsavar is known as Ayanar as also Gopala. The Thayar is known as Poongoval Nachiyar. There are several theerthams in this place. The important ones being Pennai river, Krishna Theertham and Chakra Theertham. The vimanam is Srikara vimanam. God appeared to Balichakravarthi, Mrukandu Rishi, Brahma, Sounaka Rishi,Kashyapa rishi, kusadwaja king and the first 3 alwars'

Another story connected with this place relates to the atrocities committed by the rakshasa Pathala Kethu who lived in this Krishna kshetras Once upon a time, in this kshetram, Kanvar Rishi with other Munis were doing penance and praying to Perumal. Pathala Kethu, an asuran, had earlier prayed to Brahma and obtained a boon that he would be invincible. Having attained this boon , he became arrogant. He started troubling the Devas as well as the Munis. Thrivikrama perumal assured them that he would protect them in course of time. One day, a King by name Kusadwaj came to this kshetram. He met Kanvar and other rishis. The rishis felt that the appearance of the King Kusadwajan was in response to their prayers to Perumal. They requested him to protect them from the asura Pathala kethu. The King assured them all help. Even as he assured them, suddenly from nowhere a horse by name Kuvalayam appeared. It was a gift from Sri Hari to Kusadwajan to perform the holy task of killing the asura. The king got on the horse, chased the asura. The asura took the form of a pig. He entered the Munis ashram and wanted to kill the rishis assembled there. Kusadwaj chased him into the ashram as well and killed him. Having successfuly completed this task, Kusadwajan wanted the rishi to tell him the sure path to attain moksha. The rishi advised him to stay on Krishna kshetram and worship Narayana in that temple. The king acted accordingly. In course of time, God appeared before him and conceded his wish.

It is also believed that Brahma came to Krishna kshetram. i.e., Thirukkovalur and prayed on the banks of the Krishnabadra river which is now known as Pennai Aru. God appeared before Brahma also in this place and assured him that he would continue to stay in this place in His Archa form and thus enable the rishis and other devotees to have his darshan.

There are a number of theerthams around this place. When God in His Thrivikkrama form covered this entire earth with one foot and the other foot covered Brahmaloka, Brahma washed the divine feet. The water with which he washed the feet later collected in this place. This is known as Chakra Theertham. It is believed that when Indra was cursed by Durvasa and he lost his Kingdom as well as his wealth, he came to Chakra Theertham, worshipped Thrivikkrama and regained his Kingdom through the blessings of Perumal.

Yet another theertham here is known as Sanku theer tham. Guhan prayed here and had darshan of Vasudeva. Near sanku theertham lie Pindasthana and Runamosana Theerthams and both these theerthams are of special significance for offering prayers to the pitrus i.e. forefathers.

Yet another theertham in this place is known as Karga theertham. A brahmin by name Sugunan is said to have prayed here and attained Brahmaloka. Another theertham is known as Akasa Ganga and it is believed that it is on the banks of this Akasa Ganga theertham that Brahma did his penance and realised Thrivikaram. On the banks of Badra nadhi, there is an other theertham by name Varsha Theertham. On its bank, Parasurama did deep penance, got rid of his sin resulting from the kshatriya Vadha done by him earlier. Closeby is Agasthiya theertham where Agasthiya rishi did penance and had the darshan of the Lord. Yet another , theertham closeby is known as Kalva theertham where the rishi Kalva did his penance. There is also a Mrugandu theertham. The Krishnabadra river which is now known as Pennai Aru emanates from Sahya Parvatham and is said to be the Ganga theertham with whih Brahma washed the feet of Ulagalanda Perumal (Thrivikkrama)

Srimushnam, which is not a divya desam, but is a purana sthala, is about 5 kms. from Tirukovilur. As it is one among the swayam vyaktha kshetras, a brief account will be given about the significant aspects of this purana sthalam. The Perumal here is known as Bhoovarahan. The Utsavar is known as Yagna Varahar. The thayar is known as Ambujavalli, It is said that once upon a time when Lord Narayana was in his yogic sleep in Tirupparkadal, Narada, the Triloka sanchari went there and asked god as to which was the kshetra where one could successfully worship Vishnu. The lord then replied that he is very fond of his abodes at Srimushnam and Krishnaranyam. The sthala puranam of Srimushnam refers to rescue by God of Bhoomidevi who was abducted by Hiranyakshan. To rescue her, god took on the form of a varaha. He went deep into the ocean and rescued Bhoomidevi. Hence in this kshetram, he is seen as a Bhoovarahamurthi. The kshetram is also known as Bhoovaraha kshetram. The visit to Thirukovilur can be combined with a visit to Srimushnam as well.