Forest of Penance

Known as the ageless sage of Sidhalingamatam, Thirukoilur he 

blessed the village of Sidhalingamatam with his effulgent 

presence for fifty long years in the early part of the last century 

before going over to establish Gnanananda Thapovanam on 

the northern banks of Dakshina Pinakini river three kilometers 

away from the temple town of Thirukoilur (Thirukovilur Taluk, 

Villupuram Distct.), Tamilnadu to stay there for the last fifteen 

years of his life. 

Tapovanam meaning ‘forest of penance’ is today a place of pilgrimage; a spiritual haven and an abode of peace and bliss for thousands of devotees as well as many great saints.    Thirukoilur has sacred temples as it contains temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu the presiding deities of which had been adored by the great Shaivite and Vaishnavite Saints known as Nayanmars and Alwars. The place has another importance as the seat of penance of the illustrious sage. Nearby flows the reputed Dakshina Pinakini winding its way through the sacred place with the range of hillocks at the background, cluster of green trees around and tapering towers to the Holy Shrines—all providing at once a picture of celestial beauty and atmosphere of transporting divinity.