Tirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil:

Velayudha: of veddah, and vel...

Selvarajan Rasiah

Overhead gable painting

Tirukkovil Citira Velayuta Cuvami Kovil is situated on the Eastern coast about sixty kilometres south of Batticaloa. It has a very ancient past and is categorised as the first Tiruppatai Kovil. The temple is located very close to the sea, where a port may have once existed, which was referred to as Kantapanan Turai. Tirukkovil on the eastern coast is an important resting point for foot pilgrims on their way to Katirkamam for the annual festival.

Vedda origin

The carefully preserved vimanam of this ancient temple is present to this day. Archaeologists have identified it as of Pandyan architecture of the 13th century. This shrine is also of Vedda origin where the Vel becomes a symbol or emblem of worship. Mythology attributes sanctity to this place as the spot where Ravana did his Siva puja. It is also as one of the places identified by Veddas where the splintering rays which originated from Vel of Murukan fell when it confronted the Vahura hill.

Consent for holding Kanta Puranam recitals was given by the Dutch Government in 1807 A.D. and a mudaliyar erected the present temple, dedicating it to Kantan Katirai-Antavan. Its location is at thisKantapananturai, (the port of Skanda's arrow). In recent times, several additions and improvements have been made. The Vel remains installed as the mulamurti to this day.

Rev. Queroz, a historian and Portuguese priest, describes the temple structure as having had threegopurams at the time of destruction by the Portuguese. Sometime in the later Dutch or early British period when there was a general renaissance of Hinduism in the island, merchants from India erected the temple at that site. Reference to Vedda chieftain Pulian associated with Tirukkovil is found in Tirukkovil temple manager (Taprobanion Nadu Kadu record. p. 127)

According to one myth, King Ravana is said to have worshipped here on his way to Koneswaram in Trincomalee and it was he who originally erected a Civan temple at this site. The Veddas venerated this place as the site where one of the rays which emanated at Vakura hill sheltered. Later the Murukan temple was constructed at this site. History relates the origin of the temple to Cholan and Pandyan rulers.

Tirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil

The sanctum sanctorum faces eastwards to the sea and has an unusually large vimanam (dome over the sanctum). The temple architecture is typically Pandyan. In the inner courtyard are two shrine rooms for Pillayar and Nakatambiran.

Administration

Tamil inscriptions discovered in the temple vicinity refer to a vast extent of paddy land donated to the temple by those who ruled the region in times past. Inscriptions of the Mahon period refer to the manner in which the temple should be managed. Each kuti is given a special task to perform; this contributes to the cooperation of all those concerned for an effective administration.

Worship patterns

Regular pujas are held according to Agamic traditions. The annual festival is celebrated for ten days, with the water-cutting ceremony (Tamil: tîrttam) on the new moon day in July-August. The story relating to Tankammai the Arati Pen is very popular and is often quoted to show the might of the God. A pious Arati Pen was very old and one evening she failed to come in time for the evening puja. The vannakar became angry and gave the Arati Pen post to another lady.

The old lady was very hurt and stood in front of the sanctum sanctorum for hours asking for redress. Murukan, moved by her devotion, transformed her into a young girl. The management, deeply moved by her piety, reinstated her as the Arati Pen. Even now, devotees come to this temple when they are in difficulties. They feel that it is only God who can give protection.