COURTESY:http://www.xomba.com/about_gnanananda_giri
Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam meaning, "forest of penance is a place of pilgrimage established by Swami Gnananandagiri. It is located on the northern bank of the river South Pennar (also called Dakshina Pinakini), 3KM away from Tirukoilur, on the Tirukoilur - Tiruvannamalai highway, Tamil Nadu, India.
Tirukoliur is the famous vaishnative pilgrimage center where presiding deities are Ulagalanda Perumal (Thiruvikrama Swami) and Pushpavallithayar.This. It is one among the 108 Divya Deshams for Vaishnavas.
There is also an ancient Shiva temple present in tirukoliur. Here Lord Shiva is called Veerateshwarar who is worshipped in the form of a Swayambhu Lingam. It is believed that hallowed grounds of this temple are the birthplace of "Vaasthu Purusha". Legend Says that Saint Avvayar herself has worshiped Lord Muruga and Shri Ganapathy of this temple and she reached Kailas directly from here with the help of Lord Ganapathy It is believed that Maharishi Mrigandu undertook penance at this holy place, having cluster of five old mango trees.
Swami Gnananandagiri identified this place for its spiritual potency and established his ashram here. Finally Thapovanam became his regular living place until he attained Mahasamathi in the year 1974.Shrine was constructed over his "Samadhi.We could feel his divine presence even today.