Veerateeswarar Temple, Thirukovilur

Veerateeswarar Temple, also called Thirukoilur Veerattam, is a Shiva temple in Tirukoilur, a town on the banks of the Then Pennai river. It is believed to date from the Chola period of the 10th century. Here Shiva is said to have taken the form of Andhakasura Samhara Murthy to kill the demon Andhaka. Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar each sang ten verses to the deity, making it a Paadal Petra Sthalam. The place also appears in Sangam works such as Purananuru and Agananuru, and the medieval chieftain Rajanarayana Sambuvaraya restored its rituals and festivals.

Two parallel structures, each entered through a three-tiered rajagopuram, sit within granite walls: one for Veerateeswarar as a lingam, the other for the goddess Periyanayagi. Halls lead to each sanctum, and the first precinct holds metal images of Nataraja, Somaskanda and Andhakasura. A large rock called Kapilar Kal, with a small shrine, commemorates the poet Kapilar, and his story is re-enacted during the Maasi Magam festival. Karthigai Somavaram and the Manickavasagar festival are also celebrated.