Trincomalee Sri Thirukkoneswaram Temple, Srilanka

Address

Trincomalee Sri Thirukkoneswaram Temple, Trincomalai , Sri Lanka- 31000 Telephone No : +94 26 222 6688

Deity

Thirukkoneswaram Amman: Mathumaiyal

Introduction

• Location: Thirukoneswaram, also known as the Holy Koneswaram Temple, is a Hindu temple in Thirukonamalai (Trincomalee) on the east coast of Sri Lanka.
• Geography: The temple stands on a high rocky promontory, surrounded on three sides by the sea.
• Historical Significance: It has a history spanning over three millennia, with records tracing its origins to 1580 BCE.
• Former Glory: Once a grand temple city comparable to ancient Madurai, only parts of its historical structure remain today.
• Main Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as Eeshwar or Eeshwarar.
• Etymology:
  • Thirukoneshwarar is derived from Tamil words:
    • Thiru (Holy)
    • Konam (Peak)
    • Malai (Mountain)
  • Konam is believed to mean ‘peak’ in Old Tamil.
• Alternative Names:
  • Dakshina Kailayam (Sanskrit: “Mount Kailash of the South”)
  • Aathi Koneswaram (Aathi means “ancient” in Tamil)

Puranic Significance

• Ramayana Connection:
  • The temple was built by Rishi Agastya on Lord Shiva’s instructions, impressed by King Ravana’s devotion.
  • Lord Rama installed a second lingam here to atone for Brahmahatya Dosham (sin of killing Ravana, a Brahmin).
  • Rama is believed to have prayed here to rid himself of this Dosham.
• Religious Significance:
  • Considered one of the Pancha Ishwarams of Sri Lanka.
  • Recognized as a significant Ramayana-related site in Sri Lanka.
• Historical Background:
  • Mentioned in Vayu Purana, Konesar Kolvettu, and Tevaram hymns by saints Sambandhar and Sundarar.
  • It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam (sung in Tamil Saiva hymns).
  • Built during the Tamil Pallava, Chola, and Pandya dynasties.
  • Destroyed by the Portuguese between 1622 and 1624.
• Architectural Features:
  • Development traces back to 205 BCE.
  • Designed with Dravidian architecture, featuring a thousand-pillared hall (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam).
  • King Elara Manu Needhi Cholan contributed to its expansion.
  • Once regarded as the greatest architectural marvel of its time.
  • Featured elaborate sculptural bas-reliefs on black granite and gold-plated gopuram towers, expanded in the medieval period.

Special Features

• Part of the Pancha Ishwarams:
  • Koneswaram is the easternmost shrine among the five ancient Iswarams of Lord Shiva in Sri Lanka, along with:
    • Naguleswaram (Keerimalai)
    • Thiruketheeswaram (Mannar)
    • Munneswaram (Chilaw)
    • Tenavaram (Tevan Thurai)
• Historical & Religious Importance:
  • Mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata (400 – 100 BCE).
  • Recognized as one of the 275 Shiva Sthalams glorified in Tevaram (600 – 660 CE).
  • Swami Rock is revered as a Shiva Upa Peetha in the Sivacharita and Pithanirnaya texts.
• Shakti Peetha & Additional Shrines:
  • The temple housed shrines for multiple deities as per Tamil Hindu temple traditions.
  • The Shakti temple on the promontory, known as Tirukkamakkottam, was one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, referenced in Adi Shankara’s Ashta Dasa Shakti Peetha Stotram.
  • Three Pagodas of Thirukonamalai, reconstructed by Kullakottan, included shrines for:
    • Vishnu (Thirumal)
    • Shiva’s consort Shankari Devi (Ambal, Uma, Shakti)
• Additional Deities in the Complex:
  • Smaller shrines dedicated to:
    • Ganesh
    • Durga
    • Murukan (praised in Thiruppugazh)
    • Agastya
    • Navagrahas (Nine Planets), including Surya (Sun God)
• Temple’s Layout & European Documentation:
  • The Vishnu-Thirumal temple was likely the first temple encountered on the promontory, as recorded in Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (1726) by François Valentijn.
  • The Goddess temple, once near the sea, stood where the reconstructed Shiva temple is now located.

Festivals

1. Ther Chariot Festival (Thirukoneswaram Ther Thiruvilah Festival)
   • A 22-day annual festival held in April.
   • Begins with the hoisting of the Nandi flag at the temple.
   • The main deities, Lord Konesar and Mathumai Ambal, are taken in an ornate chariot.
   • Lord Pillayar (Ganesha) and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Theivayanai are taken ahead in separate chariots.
   • The festival is linked to Puthandu (Tamil New Year) and is observed in Trincomalee and nearby villages like Sambaltivu.
   • Traditionally conducted until 1624 and revived in 2003 after 379 years.
2. Theertham Thiruvilah (Water-cutting Festival)
   • Held during the Ther Chariot Festival.
   • Takes place at the Papanasachunai holy well (Papanasam Theertham) on Swami Rock.
   • The deity and holy artefacts are bathed in sacred waters, and devotees are sprinkled with the holy water.
   • Other Hindu temples in Trincomalee, like the Bhadrakali Amman Temple, also conduct their Theertham Festival in the Back Bay Sea (Theertha Kadatkarai).
3. Theppath Thiruvilah (Boat Festival)
   • The deities Lord Konesar and Mathumai Ambal are taken in a boat procession from Swami Rock via the Back Bay Sea to the Dutch Bay Sea.
   • Religious discourses and cultural performances take place at Dutch Bay Sea Beach throughout the night before Puthandu.
   • Early the next morning, the deities are returned to the temple via Fort Frederick.
4. Poongavanam Festival (Temple Garden Festival)
   • Celebrated during the 22-day Ther Festival period.
   • Focuses on the temple gardens, worship, and community participation.
5. Navaratri Festival
   • A 9-day festival dedicated to the various forms of the presiding goddess.
   • Includes special pujas and offerings at the temple.
6. Maha Shivaratri Festival
   • A 3-day festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
   • Started in 1951 after the rediscovery of bronze idols in 1950.
   • Takes place in three stages:
     • Day 1: Procession from Swami Rock to the entrance of Fort Frederick.
     • Day 2: Procession to Pathirakalai Ambal Temple, where deities rest for the evening.
     • Day 3: Large chariots carrying deities are pulled back to Koneswaram Temple, accompanied by traditional Nadaswaram and Thavil musicians.
   • Devotees hold Poorna Kumbham outside their houses and worship along the procession route.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Managed By

Government of Srilanka

Nearest Bus Station

Trincomalee

Nearest Railway Station

Trincomalee

Nearest Airport

Jaffna

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