Koil

Koil (Tamil: கோயில்) is the Tamil word for a temple, especially a Hindu temple. In English-language contexts, koil or kovil is used in transliterations of Tamil temple names and of places associated with temples.

The term designates not only the building but the religious community and the rituals conducted there. Tamil temples are part of the broader Dravidian architectural tradition, and common features may include a sanctum (garbhagriha) and a surrounding precinct or corridor. Koils vary in size and form, reflecting regional styles, local patronage, and the religious functions they serve.

Toponymy and cross-border usage: Koil appears in many temple names and in place names across Tamil-speaking regions in India and Sri Lanka. Examples include Nallur Kovil in Jaffna, a major temple site, and Meenakshi Amman Koil in Madurai. The form kovil is a frequent transliteration in historical and regional texts, and the term sometimes appears in town names such as Kovilpatti, signaling a historical association with a nearby temple.