Thirukkovil Sithira Velayutha Swami Kovil

திருக்கோவில் Thirukkovil Citravelayudhaswami Kovil
Front View of Temple
திருக்கோவில் Thirukkovil Citravelayudhaswami Kovil Location in Sri Lanka
Name
Proper name	Thirukkovil Arulmigu Citra Velayudha Swami Aalayam
Tamil	திருக்கோவில் அருள்மிகு சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம்
Geography
Coordinates	7°7′6″N 81°51′22″E / 7.11833°N 81.85611°E / 7.11833; 81.85611Coordinates: 7°7′6″N 81°51′22″E / 7.11833°N 81.85611°E / 7.11833; 81.85611
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Eastern
District	Ampara
Culture
Primary deity	Sithiravelayuthar (his Vel)
Important festivals	Aadi Amavasai
Architecture
Architectural styles	Tamil architecture
Inscriptions	Thambiluvil Inscription

Thirukkovil Citra Velayudha Swami Kovil (Tamil: திருக்கோவில் சித்திரவேலாயுத சுவாமி ஆலயம்) is one of the most significant Hindu temples in Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka which is situated about 71 km south of Batticaloa town. Thirukkovil is the temple dedicated to Siththiravelayuthar (Cittiravēlāyutar, literally "One with elegant spear") who was once the primary and gurardian deity of whole Mattakkalappu Desam (Batti - Ampara districts nowadays). Thus this temple was known as "'Thesathukkovil" (Tēcattukkōvil,"Temple of Country") of the "country" of Batticaloa.

Since Kovil is the tamil equivalent of shrine, "Thirukkovil" is the term usually referred to all Hindu temples in Tamil language. "Mattakkalappu Purva charithiram", the 18th century CE Tamil chronicle of Eastern Sri Lanka, describes that there was a Subramanya temple in Nagarmunai and it was known "Thirukkovil" since it was the first temple constructed in agamic tradition in Batticaloa region. Since "Thirukkovil" is an unusual sacred term to Hindus, and here it is also used itself to indicate the village the temple situated also, This temple and village both are still praised for their infrequent holiness among the inhabitants of southeastern Sri Lanka.

The old name Nagarmunai is interpreted as it was one of the ancient settlements of "Naga tribe of ancient Sri Lanka. Another name indicating Thirukkovil, Kaṇṭapāṇantuṟai, is also mentioned in Purva Charithiram manuscript.

The origin of this temple is unknown and it is assumed that the temple might be the shrine of Vedda and Naga tribes. There was a small hut housing a Vel and Lingam and it is erected as a big temple according to Hindu architechture during the Chola invasion of Sri Lanka (993-1070 CE). Batticaloa chieftains ruled under Kandyan Kings from old Mattakalappu town, venerated the deity Murugan here as the guardian deity of their Batticaloa Territory. Historic records show that even Kotte King Vijayabahu VII and Kandy knig Rajasinha II also came here to revere the deity. Many Dutch maps of Ceylon indicates this temple as "Trincloy Pagoda", "Tricoy Pagood" and "Pagood de Trincoil", the names indicated in the eastcoast of Ceylon in the Dutch maps, undoubtedly show that they mention non other than this Thirukkovil temple.