Thirakoil
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox Historic Site
| name = Thirakoil
| native_language = Tamil
| image = Thirakoil hill.JPG
| image_size = 250px
| caption =
| designation1 =
| designation1_date =
| designation1_number =
| designation1_criteria =
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_free1name = State Party
| designation1_free1value = {{IND}}
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2value =
| location = Tiruvannamalai, India
| elevation =
| built =
| architect =
| architecture =
| coordinates = {{coord|12.4525|79.4986|display=inline}}
| locmapin = India
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
}}
Thirakoil is a village in Tellar taluk in Tiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The major occupation of the people living in this place is agriculture.
Etymology
It is believed that this place got its name from the word "thurugal" ({{langx|ta|துறுகல்}}) meaning rock. Later it modified to "thirakol" ({{langx|ta|திறக்கோல்}}) then became Thirakoil ({{langx|ta|திறக்கோயில்}}).
Information
File:Thirakoil-cave and carving.JPG
- Name of the Place = Thirakoil
- Taluk = Tellar
- District = Tiruvannamalai
- State = Tamil Nadu
- Country = India
- Coordinates = 12°27'9"N 79°29'55"E
- Area = 1 km2
- Population = 953 (2011)
- Maximum People = Yadhava
Location
Thirakoil is located 15 km southwest of Vandavasi, 7 km from Ponnur Kundkundar Philosophical Center. Thirakoil hill runs 1 km in northeast direction.
Transportation
Only private bus facilities are available to the nearest place Desur and Kilputhur. One has to walk approximately one km to reach Thirakoil.
Thirakoil Hill and the Digambara Jain Temple
There are three small caves present in the hill. One at the mid-South, other two at west and east side of the hill. These caves were used as Jain abodes during 8th Century.These caves were naturally formed in which Jain Monks lived. There is a monolithic stone of 25 feet high in which idols of four tirthankars (Mahavira, Parshva or Parsavanathar, Rishabha or Kilaku Rishabanathar and Chandranathar) were carved nicely at the four sides. Until the 10th century this place was called Thandapuram ({{langx|ta|தண்டபுரம்}}). Raja Raja Chola I's inscriptions of 1007 A. D. quotes these cave abodes as Sankaraippalli ({{langx|ta|சங்கரைப் பள்ளி}}) and Mai Sutthappalli ({{langx|ta|மை சுத்தப் பள்ளி}}). Bhagavan Mahavira's idol is worshipped at the temple which is recently built.
File:Thirakoil-new and old steps.JPG
File:Thirakoil-mahaaveerar.JPG|Mahavira
File:Thirakoil-Parsava nathar.JPG|Parshva or Parsavanathar, 23rd tirthankar. This carving depicts Parsavanathar in meditating position and Dharanendiran, Padmavathy protecting him using umbrella from kamadan who was his past life enemy from throwing rocks to disturb him.
File:Thirakoil-kilaku rishaba nathar.JPG|Rishabha or Kilaku Rishabanathar
File:Thirakoil-Chandra nathar.jpg|Chandranathar (Chandraprabha)
See also
References
- Leaflet provided by Thirakoil Digambara Jain temple committee
- http://www.tamiljains.org/
- http://ddws.gov.in/ddwsimis/RuralWaterSupply/Reports/ReportYSRHabitationDistrict.aspx?districtId=0447&districtname=TIRUVANNAMALAI
- L. Kumar, "Battle of Wandewash-250" (வந்தவாசிப் போர்-250), Akani Publications, Compiled by M. Rajendiran and A. Vennila, 2010 (In Tamil)
External links
{{commons category|Thirakoil}}
{{external media
| float =left
| width =250px
| video1 =[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xile8dbZq_8 Documentary on the Jain heritage of Thirakoil]
}}
{{Jain temples}}
{{Jainism topics}}
Category:Archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu
Category:Villages in Tiruvannamalai district
Category:Jain temples in Tamil Nadu