Tirukkôvil Citira Velâyuta Cuvâmi Kôvil 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 Kôvil. The temple is located very close to the sea, where a port may have once existed, which was referred to as Kantapânan Turai. Tirukkôvil on the eastern coast is an important resting point for foot pilgrims on their way to Katirkâmam for the annual festival.
The carefully preserved vimânam 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.
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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-Ântavan. Its location is at this Kantapananturai, (the port of Skanda's arrow). In recent times, several additions and improvements have been made. The Vel remains installed as the mûlamûrti to this day.
Rev. Queroz, a historian and Portuguese priest, describes the temple structure as having had three gopurams 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 Râvana is said to have worshipped here on his way to Kôneswaram 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 Vâkura hill sheltered. Later the Murukan temple was constructed at this site. History relates the origin of the temple to Cholan and Pandyan rulers.
Temple Structure
The sanctum sanctorum faces eastwards to the sea and has an unusually large vimânam (dome over the sanctum). The temple architecture is typically Pandyan. In the inner courtyard are two shrine rooms for Pillayâr and Nâkatambiran.
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 Mâhôn 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 pûjas are held according to Âgamic 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 Ârati Pen is very popular and is often quoted to show the might of the God. A pious Ârati Pen was very old and one evening she failed to come in time for the evening pûja. The vannakar became angry and gave the Ârati 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 Ârati Pen. Even now, devotees come to this temple when they are in difficulties, particularly due to military operations in the area. They feel that it is only God who can give protection.
