Tirukkovilur Temple enshrines Vishnu in a mammoth form of Trivikrama dominating the three worlds, subduing Mahabali, the demon king. The stone image is 35 feet high x 24 feet wide. This temple is one of the Panchakanna "Krishnaranya" Temple with which the five holy temples are associated by Shri Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
History of Tirukkovilur Temple
States Vishnu placed his foot upon Mahabali during his Trivikrama Avataram, dominating the three worlds - desired to worship Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama (he was not been able to see this form as Vishnu`s foot had been placed on his head). Vishnu is said to have answered his prayers by appearing in front of him as Trivikrama at Kanchipuram (Satyavrata Kshetram). As Mahabali was not able to comprehend the immensity, Vishnu manifested himself as Aadi Seshan in a small shrine next to the Ulagalanda Perumaal, at Oorakam. Legend has it that Vishnu gave Anjaneyar a vision of Trivikrama and Vamana here.
Architecture of Tirukkovilur Temple
This is a vast temple with an imposing Rajagopuram seen from a distance and the temple occupies 60000 sq feet and has two prakarams and a three-tiered rajagopuram. The Nagatheertham tank is located opposite to the temple. Inscriptions from the Chola period can be seen here. There are also shrines to Aandaal and, Manavaalamaamuni.
Tirukkovilur Temple was initially a brick and a big gun structure in the period of Parantaka Chola I which was early 10th century; it was utilized by the great Chola rulers Raja Raja Chola I and Raja Raja II. In the 11th century, Rajendra Deva rebuilt it of granite.
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