Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple- Sri Lanka

Address

Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple, Kankesanturai, Jaffna Sri Lanka Phone: +94 217 900 470

Deity

Naguleshwara Amman: Naguleshwari

Introduction

• Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple, historically known as Thirutambaleswaram Kovil, is a renowned Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka.
• It is one of the oldest shrines in the region and the northernmost of Sri Lanka’s Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• The temple, a centuries-old historical Shiva temple in Jaffna, was destroyed during the Portuguese colonial period and later restored by Arumuka Navalar in 1894.

Puranic Significance

• According to Hindu legends, King Rama visited this place and bathed to remove the dosham (curse) after killing King Ravana. Hence, it is one of the Ramayana-related sites in Sri Lanka.
• Keeri in Tamil and Nagula in Sanskrit both refer to a mongoose, hence the name Keeri Malai or “Mongoose Hill.”
• The temple is located near the Keerimalai hot spring.
• Sage Nagula Muni, who had a mongoose-shaped face, meditated in a cave at Keerimalai and was cured after bathing in the springs. He then constructed the temple out of gratitude.
• Another legend speaks of Pandiyan Princess Maruthapura Veeravalli, who was cured of a horse-shaped head after bathing in the Keerimalai springs and constructed the temple.

Special Features

• Keerimalai hot spring is located near the coastal belt of Palaly, 50 feet above sea level.
• A bathing tank was constructed next to the spring, with only walls separating the spring’s water from the sea.
• The spring water is not hot but is believed to have healing properties due to its rich mineral content.
• It is said that the underwater resources are connected to the Nilavarai bottomless well, located about 10 km away.

Festivals

• The temple is famous for its festivals, especially Maasi Magam and Aadi Amavasai.
• During these festivals, which occur in mid-July to mid-August, Hindu pilgrims visit to perform rituals for their forefathers and take a holy dip in the natural springs.
• These rituals are typically performed by men, and Keerimalai is particularly well-known for these observances.

Century/Period/Age

1000- Years old

Managed By

Department of Archaeology

Nearest Bus Station

Kankesanturai

Nearest Railway Station

Jaffna station

Nearest Airport

Jaffna

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