Thirukkovil Sithira Velayutha Swami Kovil

Thirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil
The view of Thirukkovil Temple
Front View of Temple
Thirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil
Location in Sri Lanka
Name
Proper name Thirukkovil Arulmigu Citra Velayudha Swami Aalayam
Tamil திருக்கோவில் அருள்மிகு சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம்
Geography
Coordinates 7°08′0″N 81°51′0″E / 7.13333°N 81.85000°ECoordinates: 7°08′0″N 81°51′0″E / 7.13333°N 81.85000°E
Country Sri Lanka
Province Eastern
District Ampara

Thirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil (Tamil: திருக்கோவில் சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம்) is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. It is situated about 71 km south of Batticaloa town. Lord Murugan with the name "Sithira Velayuthar" (literally "One with elegant spear") here is considered as the primary deity of Batticaloa chieftains and people of the country from historical time. This temple is the one and only temple referred as "Tecathuk Kovil" (litt. "Temple of Country") which is claimed as the common temple for whole "Mattakkalappu Desam" (Batti - Ampara districts nowadays).

Etymology

"Thirukkovil" which means "Great/prominent Temple" is the term usually referred to a Hindu temple in Tamil Language. This temple was called "Thirukkovil" as it was the first temple constructed in Agamic tradition in Batticaloa region and was the ancient temple which is also praised by Batticaloa chieftains ruled from old Mattakkalappu Town situated near Sammanthurai. The village erected around "Thirukkovil" temple also got the same name and considered as sacred for its religious significant name "Thirukkovil" - "Great Temple" which can't be seen even in Tamilakam where lots of venerable Hindu temples are located.[1]

A latter chronicle of Batticaloa region "Mattakkalappu Purva sarithiram"[2][3] mentions two alternative names for this temple "Nagarmunai" and "Kandapaana Thurai" which also used in poetic works on Thirukkovil. The term Nagarmunai or Nagamunai confirms that this region was the ancient settelment of Naga tribe from immemorial time.[4] and Kandapaana Thurai ("Port of weapon of Kandan") assumes that there was an ancient harbor with a shrine of Vel or Spear (Weapon of Skanda).

History

There is a folktale on the formation of Three old temples of Batticaloa region - Thirukkovil, Ukanthai and Mandur goes like "The holy Vel of Murugan after killing the demon Surapadman in Katirkamam, divided itself into three spears and stand in three different sacred places of eastern coast of island.

The origin time of this temple is unknown and the temple was the shrine of Vedda and Naga tribes long ago as a small hut where Vel and Lingam were worshipped.[5] It is assumed that temple seen today might be constructed during the Chola invasion to Sri Lanka (993-1070 CE). Batticaloa chieftains ruled under Kandyan Kings usually comes to the state temple and donated lots of lands belongs to the temple even nowadays. Many Dutch maps of Ceylon indicates this temple as "Trincloy Pagoda", "Tricoy Pagood" "Pagood de Trincoil" and so on.

The temple was looted and destructed by Portuguese in 1620s and it could only resurrect after two centuries. However, the rituals and its state importance through Batticaloa region were continued in its grievous period also. Thomas Christie, an Inspector of Hospitals of British Ceylon describes the antiquity of Sanctum, the sculptures and chariot belonged to Thirukkovil during his journey to Tangalle on 1802.[6]

Tecathuk Kovil

Inscriptions and Sandstone pillars preserved at Thirukkovil temple.

Thirukkovil is usually referred as "Tecathuk Kovil" (தேசத்துக் கோவில். Tēcattuk kōvil) means temple of the whole (Batticaloa) country. There is a misconception among historians that confusing seven Thiruppadai Kovils with Tecathuk Kovil. Thiruppadai Kovil (திருப்படைக் கோவில் Tiruppaṭaik kōvil Literally "Holy Temple of Soldiers' Camp or weapons") is the term referred to seven popular temples in Batticaloa region - Kokkadichcholai, Sithandy, Thirukkovil, Mandur, Kovil Porativu, Verugal and Ukanthai. They are believed to respected by the Chieftains ruled the country. Some historians consider the term "paṭai" in Thiruppataik kovil refers to weapon of Murugan - Vel, and ignores Kokkadichcholai from Thiruppataik Kovil list as it is a Sivan temple. Nowadays the term "Tecathuk Kovil" is used to mention these Thirupadaik Kovils and the other popular temples in the region like Mamangam, Punnaicholai Kali Kovil, Kallady Pechi Amman Kovil though Tecathuk Kovil was the term significantly used to mention Thirukkovil only.

Old Batticaloa District was divided into 8 "pattu"s (Administrative divisions) - Akkaraipattu, Karaivakupattu, Eruvilpattu, Manmunaippattu, Sammanthuraipattu, Porativupattu, Eravurpattu, Kiriwittipattu (now Kilivetti region in Trincomalee District) along with three other adjacent pattus - Koralaipattu, Panamaipattu and Nadukadupattu.[7] Ritual rights in Thirukkovil Annual Festivals were shared with whole inhabitants of 7 main pattus and Panamaipattu of Batticaloa region.[8] According to Temple records, it can be confirmed that this custom was continued till 1950s.

The structure of Sanctum is identified with Pandyan architecture. Inscriptions and Segments of broken sandstone pillars can be observed in the courtyard around the temple. Two main inscriptions are preserved in a small room south to temple entrance. One of them - Thambiluvil Inscription found in Thambiluvil Sri Kannaki amman temple tells about the donation of "Vovil" (probably an irrigation water source) by King Vijayabahu VII of Kotte kingdom (1507-1521) while the purpose of another inscription is unclear which is also donated by same King.

Annual Festival

Sanctum of Thirukkovil Temple believed to manifest Pandyan Architecture.

Annual Festival of Thirukkovil is called as "Aadi Amavasai theertham" ("ஆடி அமாவாசைத் தீர்த்தம்""Āṭi amāvācait tīrttam" simply "tīrttam") which is a mega festival of South-East Sri Lanka. It is celebrated for 18 days and finished on Aadi Amavasya, the new moon day comes on Aadi month (July–August) of Tamil Hindu Calendar. Necrolatry carried out in the shore of Thirukkovil sea on an Adi Amavasai is considered to give peace to the spirits of ancestors. A Dutch merchant Johann Herman Von Bree states about the Annual Festival of Thirukkovil where the assembly of "Dessave" (Chieftain) and the thousand of people of Batticaloa happened in July month of 1603 CE.[9]

Deterioration of Administration

Even after the colonial period, Temple was administrated by a conservative method based on clan system - பண்டு பரவணி ("Paṇṭu paravaṇi"). The "ஊர்ப் போடியார்" (Ūr pōṭiyā -Village Head) of Akkaraipattu region belongs to Mukkuvar caste played a main role in the administration while வண்ணக்கர் (Vaṇṇakkar, the Batticaloan equivalent post to President and Treasurer), belongs to Vellalar caste of Thambiluvil village supervised the rituals and other main activities of temple. Vaṇṇakkar is expected to be from prominent matriclans of Thambiluvil village - Kantan kuty and Seruvili Kuty while another majority clan of that village - "Kattapattan Kuty" enjoyed the Vannakkar post of the nearest Thambiluvil Amman Kovil.

A post named "வட்டாரப் பிரதிநிதி" ( Vaṭṭārap piratiniti, Regional representatives) was given to each villages and "Pattus" of Batticaloa from Panama to Kallady. Nur Yalman, a Turkish anthropologist observed "Kudukkai Kuruthal", a ritual based on Caste and Clan system, which can be still seen in another Thiruppadaik Kovil Kokkadichcholai.[10]

The reliability of Paṇṭu paravaṇi was questioned in the mid 20th Century and had to face many court cases. The inhabitants of Thirukkovil raised their voice for the right to rule their own temple as the old settlement around the temple was started to distinguish as two villages separately - Thirukkovil and Thambiluvil where the latter had the post of Vannakkar.[11] And the old Mattakkalappu Desam divided de facto two new districts in 1961 - one remained in the same name while latter got the name "Ampara". As the results of these facts, Vaṭṭārap piratinitis north to Kalmunai ignore their responsibilities on temple. At last, Thirukkovil lost its primitive state significance permanently.

However,the Vannakkar-based Paṇṭu paravaṇi system still continues compromised along with the modern administration system of President, Secretary and Treasurer and Thirukkovil Temple could maintain its position as "Tecathuk Kovil" with the homage of the Tamil inhabitants of Southern Batticaloa - known as Ampara District today. They praise the Lord Murugan at Thirukkovil and celebrate his Mega fiesta "tīrttam" Festival annually with full of devotion and harmony.

See also

References

  1. ↑ V.C.Kandiah (1983) "Mattakkalappu Saivak Kovilkal I" p.60 (Tamil) p.
  2. ↑ F.X.C.Nadarajah (1962) "Mattakkalappu Manmiyam"
  3. ↑ S.E.Kamalanathan - Kamala Kamalanathan (2005) "Mattakkalappu Purva Sarithiram"
  4. ↑ Nirmala Ramachandran (2004) "The Hindu Legacy to Sri Lanka" p.103
  5. ↑ V.C.Kandiah (1983) "Mattakkalappu Saivak Kovilkal I", pp.49-64
  6. ↑ James Cardiner (1807) "A Description of Ceylon" Vol II p.137
  7. ↑ "Jacob Burnand (1794) "Memorial Compiled By Late Chief Jacob Burnand for his scuccessor Johannas Philippus Wambeek" p.284
  8. ↑ http://www.thinakkathir.com/?p=51606#sthash.TQeirveF.dpuf
  9. ↑ Donald Ferguson,(1998) “The Earliest Dutch Visits to Ceylon”, pp.112,113)
  10. ↑ Nur Yalman (1967) "Under the Bo Tree", pp/326,327
  11. ↑ "Dennis B.McGilvray, (2008) Crucible of Conflict

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