Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil - Verugal
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| Pada Yatra foot pilgrims at Verugal |
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| Pada Yatra pilgrims worship at Verugal |
Cittira Vêlāyuta Cuvāmi Kovil is situated at the banks of the river Verukal at Killivetti in
Trincomalee district. It is a temple of ancient legend with a fascinating
history.
During the epoch of Kantapurana during the epic war of Murukan with
asura king Cûrapatman, Murukan's sacred arrow from his bow is said to have
fallen on the place called Katira Vel. Like all ancient shrines and temples,
the origin of this Verukalam Pati Muruka Vel is also legendary. The
Vedda tribes revered the location and the Vel for worship and ever since it
has been a shrine. This had become a recognized temple in the Kulakoddan era.
and in the regime of the Vanniyars. Tradition has it that a hidden treasure was
revealed by Murukan to a Cettiyar on his pilgrimage to Kataragama from South
India. With the proceeds he built a grand temple later demolished in the 16th
century by the Portuguese. There are many inscriptions regarding the history of
the temple from ancient times.
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