| Thirukkovil Temple | |
|---|---|
திருக்கோவில் Thirukkovil Arulmigu Citra Velayudha Swami Aalayam | |
 Front View of Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Ampara |
| Province | Eastern |
| Deity | Sithiravelayuthar (his Vel) |
| Festivals | Utsava and Śrāddha centered on Aadi Amavasai |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
  Location in Sri Lanka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 7°7′6″N 81°51′22″E / 7.11833°N 81.85611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Tamil architecture |
| Inscriptions | Thambiluvil Inscription |
Thirukkovil Temple (officially Thirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil, Tamil: திருக்கோவில் சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம்) is the most significant Hindu temple in Thirukkovil, Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka.[1][2][3] It is dedicated to Chitravelayudhar (Cittiravēlāyutar, literally "One with elegant spear") who was once the guardian deity of Mattakkalappu Desam (Batti - Ampara districts nowadays) and this temple enjoyed the honor of Desathukkovil (Tēcattukkōvil, royal temple) of the Batticaloa region.[4] Archaeological and historical evidences suggest that Cholan, Kotte and Kandyan kings maintained strong relations with this temple in the past.[5]
- ^ McGilvray, Dennis B (1982). Caste Ideology and Interaction, Volume 9. Cambridge University Press. p. 82. ISBN 9780521241458.
- ^ University of Sri Lanka (1970). "The Ceylon Journal of the Humanities". The Ceylon Journal of the Humanities. 1–2: 133.
- ^ Holt, John (2011). The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke University Press. p. 770. ISBN 9780822349822.
- ^ V.C.Kandiah (1983). Maṭṭakkaḷappu caivak kōvilkaḷ, Vol I. Batticaloa: Ministry of Regional development, Hindu religious, Hindu cultural and Tamil affairs, Sri Lanka. pp. 49–64.
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