Tirukoilur or Tirukkoyilur also called Thirukkovalur or Kovalur. is a Town Panchayat in kallakurichi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tirukkoyilur is located at 11.95°N 79.2°E. It has an average elevation of 73 metres (239 feet).
Demographics
As of 2014 India census, Tirukkoyilur had a population of 30212. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Tirukkoyilur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 73%. In Tirukkoyilur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Significance
Tirukoilur is one of the Ashta Veeratanams, Ashta – eight Veeratanam – Place of Bravery. As per legends, Shiva is believed to have destroyed eight different demons namely Andakasuran, Gajasuran, Jalandasuran, Thirupuradhi, Kaman, Arjunan, Dakshan and Taaragasuran. There are eight temples built signifying each of his victories in the war,[4] and also as places where he is believed to have performed with fury.[5] The eight temples are: Tiruvadigai Veerattaaneswarar Temple at Thiruvadigai, Tirukkovilur Veerateshwarar Temple at Tirukoilur, Veerateswarar temple at Korukkai or Thirukkurukkai, Amirtagateswarar Temple at Thirukadaiyur, Vazhuvur Verateswarar Temple at Vazhuvoor, Keelaparasalur Veerateswarar Temple at Tirupariyalur, Kandeeswarar Temple at Thirukkandiyur and Tiruvirkudi Veerataneswarar Temple at Thiruvirkudi.[6] Shiva in all these temples are described to have used bow and arrow, trident and spear.
