Bhoologa Vaikuntham

Trivikrama Perumal Koil

Moolavar : Trivikramar

Thaayaar : PoongOval Naachiyaar

Uthsavar : Aayanar, Kovalan

Sthala Vriksham : Punnai maram

Pushkarini : PeNNai River, Krishna Theertham, Sri Chakra Theertham

Vimaanam : Srikara Vimaanam

Perumal ThirukkOlam : Nindra ThirukkOlam

MangaLaasaasanam : Poigai Aazhwar, Bhoothathaazhwar, Thirumangai Aazhwar

The temple built by the Pallava kings is estimated to be more than 2000 years old and is known as one of the Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetrams along with ThirukkaNNapuram, ThirukaNNangudi, ThirukaNNamangai and Thiru Kapisthalam.

Sage Mrigandu who had made this place his home prayed to Lord Brahma wishing to witness the Trivikrama avataram of Lord Mahavishnu. On Lord Brahma’s advice, the sage performed penance on the banks of the PeNNar river and was granted his wish. Here, the Lord appears with his right leg lifted up as if measuring the heavens and his left leg placed firmly on the earth. The Lord who holds his Chakra in his right hand and the Shankha in his left hand, was so eager to bless the sage that he hastened to appear before him with the Chakra in his left hand and Shankha in his right hand.

This is the holy place where the mudhalazhwars (first 3 azhwars) met coincidentally. The azhwars, all three born in different places were on a pilgrimage and happened to reach ThirukkOvalur at the same time. That night there was a storm and Poigaiazhwar sought shelter at the abode of sage Mrigandu. There was just enough place for one person to lie down. In some time, Bhoothathazhwar reached there seeking a place to rest. Now there was just enough place for two people to sit. Soon, Peyazhwar too reached there and requested to be accomodated. The three azhwars spent the night standing and singing the Lord’s praises. All of a sudden, they had the strange sensation of a fourth being pressing against them. Unable to see anything in the dark, Poigaiazhwar sang a poem describing the entire universe as the lamp, the vast ocean as the ghee and the bright sun as the flame. Bhoothathazhwar described love for all beings as the lamp, yearning for knowledge as the ghee and the mind filled with happiness as the wick. So bright was the light created by the lamps lit by these 2 saints that dispelled the darkness of ignorance, that Peyazhwar was able to see clearly the fourth being who had joined them. Realizing that it was no other than the Lord Himself who had joined them, he described Lord Narayana in all His glory accompanied by his consort Mahalakshmi and adorned with the Sudarshana Chakram and Panchajanyam.

The three saints thus blessed with divine vision composed 100 songs each praising the Lord. Thirukovalur thus became the birthplace of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.

The moolavar here is made of Dharu wood and is the tallest moorthi in south India.

Uthsavams :

Brahmothsavam – March/April

Pavitrothsavam – September/October

Mudhalazhwar Uthsavam – October/November