திருக்கோவிலூர் வீரட்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில்Thirukovilur Veerateeswarar Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Veerateeswarar Temple at Tirukkovilur, on the banks of the South Pennar (Then Pennai) river, is the Ashta Veerattanam shrine of Andhakasura Samhara. According to the legend, the thousand-armed demon Andhaka, born of Shiva's sweat but raised in darkness, grew arrogant and sought to seize Parvati; Shiva impaled him on his trident and held him aloft until his pride was purged, whereupon the reformed Andhaka became a devotee. Shiva is worshipped here as Veerateeswarar (Andhakasura Samhara Murti, also called Andhakaanthakar) with his consort as Periyanayagi (Shivanandavalli). A Paadal Petra Sthalam sung in the Tevaram, the town is also revered for its association with the Saiva poet-saint Manikkavasagar. Chief festivals include Masi Magam in the month of Maasi, Karthigai Somavaram, the Manikkavasagar festival in Margazhi, Thiruvadirai, and Skanda Sashti with Soorasamharam in Aippasi.