Knowledge

Munneswaram temple

Source 📝

923:, the cult of Kali reached Sri Lanka via South India. Although Kali shrines may have been part of Tamil Hindu temples prior to the 12th century CE, the Sinhalese Buddhist population came to revere Kali as a village demon at least by the 12th century CE. The first known Hindu temple with a shrine to Kali to become popular with the Sinhalese Buddhists is Munneswaram. A myth that has Kali landing at the town of Chilaw, and residing in Munneswaram, has made the temple a popular place of visit for cursing and sorcery purposes. In the early 1970s, the majority of the Sinhalese visitors were there for sorcery purposes, but by the 1990s more than half have been visiting the temple for general veneration purposes, demonstrating the transformation of the deity from a malevolent demigod to a 904: 510: 126: 960: 747:(1581–1593), who continuously harassed the Portuguese during his reign. Rajasinghe I rebuilt the temple again, but due to continuous conflict most of the area around the temple was depopulated, and proper cultivation of lands abandoned. Irrigation tanks, which provided water for cultivation, fell into disuse. The Portuguese again destroyed the temple in the early 17th century, but the temple was rebuilt by the local people. It was nominally in usage when 1024: 680:. In his thirty-eighth regnal year (1450 or 1453) he summoned the chief priest of the temple, Vijasamagava Panditha(r), and reaffirmed the lands that had belonged to the Siva temple. The villages mentioned as belonging to the temple are Ilupaideni(ya), Kottaipitti and Tittakatai. Revenue accrued from this land grant was exempt from tax. The grant was inscribed on a granite slab and installed as part of the renovated temple. The conquest of 800:
equivalent myth amongst the Sinhalese people indicates that the diseased king was Rajasinghe or Bhuvanekabahu and the king prayed to the presiding goddess who cured him of his affliction. There were at least two kings called Rajasinghe in Sri Lanka, and both of them were involved in the actual renovations of the temple, and at least seven kings named Bhuvanekabahu, thereby making it difficult to identify the right king.
133: 31: 844:. His family maintains the hereditary priestly position of the Siva temple, and controls all temple properties. A Tamil family from Munneswaram village controls the priestly position of the Kali temple. The Siva temple was renovated in 1875 by the personal efforts of Cumaraswamy Kurukal. Improvements were effected again in 1919 and 1963 through public support from Tamil Hindus from Colombo and 556:, as well as the landed gentry of the surrounding villages who provided the resources to maintain the temple. Proximity to the trading routes and to the port provided an opportunity for transmission of ideas and people from India to Sri Lanka. The Pattuva has many temples dedicated to the higher echelons of Hindu or Buddhist deities, and to village guardian deities such Ayyanar or Ayyanayake, 980:. Until the 1830s the festival lasted up to 18 days but since the 1960s it lasts for 28 days in the months of August and September. The festival begins with the hoisting of the temple flag. This is followed by 13 days of internal temple processions conducted in the outer pathways of the Siva temple. On each day of the festival, the images of Ganesha, 731:. Jesuits recorded that they used iron bars to destroy the presiding deity. According to a 1640 Portuguese records, they were able to convert 500 people from the village of Munneswaram as Roman Catholics. However, the locals and temple administrators were able to hide many of the idols of the temple complex before the destruction. 317:. Although the Jesuits built a Catholic chapel over the temple foundation, locals reconstructed the temple both times. Due to religious and demographic change after the late 18th century, most surrounding villages and towns are not directly associated with the temple administration and maintenance. However, the villages of 336:. The former is a nine-day long festival in honour of the presiding Goddess, while the latter is an overnight observation in honour of Lord Shiva. In addition to these two Hindu festivals, the temple has a festival of its own, the Munneswaram festival, a four-week-long event attended by Hindus and Buddhists. 799:
king, Kullakotan. According to that myth, the king, who was afflicted with an incurable skin disease, was cured after taking a bath in the ruined temple's holy pond. Following the miracle, the king went on to renovate the temple and created a community of temple caretakers to maintain the temple. The
575:
that was transformed into a major Siva temple due to royal patronage. The temple was already an established temple by the 11th century CE, as it had issued coins by then. The temple began under the patronage of Pattuva chiefs and was probably constructed during the early part of the 10th century CE.
521:
Munneswaram temple is situated in Munneswaram village, the center of the spiritual and religious life of the people dwelling in a medieval administrative division called Munneswaram Pattuva ("Munneswaram division"). For most of the temple's existence, Munneswaram Pattuva has had over 60 villages for
991:
and make their offerings. Booths are erected outside for the sale of food, drink, brassware, pottery, cloth and holy images. On the penultimate day of the festival there is a procession, when the image of the goddess is placed upon a huge wooden chariot and pulled around the temple by devotees. On
975:
functions. Navaratri lasts for nine days and is dedicated to various aspects of the presiding goddess, whereas Sivarathri is dedicated to Siva. Both these functions primarily attract Hindus to the temple. The annual Munneswaram festival is an important part of the temple calendar and it attracts
775:
Most of the myths associated with the temple are not dated and vary with the different religious and ethnic groups as well. One set of myths deals with the creation of the temple, and the other deals with various reconstruction efforts. For the Hindu Tamils, the Munneswaram temple is primarily a
875:
The Siva temple is surrounded by various other temples and shrines. To the southeast of the Siva Temple is a shrine dedicated to Ganesha. A temple dedicated to Ayyanayake, a Sinhalese Buddhist deity, is situated in the northeast corner of the third pathway of the Siva temple. The popular temple
828:
plantations quickly covering all suitable Pattuva lands. Establishments of large-scale plantations also led to population increase due to migration and settlement of plantation workers from the interior of the country. This led to a demographic change, and the local Pattuva people became
724:, after their arrival in Sri Lanka in 1505, began a campaign of forced conversion and destruction of many Buddhist and Hindu temples around the island. They destroyed the Munneswaram temple completely in 1578 CE with the exception of the basement, and used the core of the building as a 927:. The veneration of Kali has completely overtaken the previously popular veneration of Pattini. Since the 1960s a number of Sinhalese Buddhist shrines dedicated to Kali have sprung up all over the island, especially in urban areas. These are managed by Sinhalese priests who are 808:
It has been recorded that in 1830 the temple festival attracted thousands of people from the surrounding Pattuva, but by the 1870s the temple was abandoned again. One of the reasons was the depopulation of the Pattuva, due to various causes, and the conversion of
984:, and the presiding consort goddess are paraded around the temple. Local Pattuva village deity temples also have festivals that coincide with the annual festival. Villagers belonging to Maradankulama and Uddappu sponsor a day each of the 28-day festival. 708:("Beautiful City") in the North of Sri Lanka. It mentions the Munneswaram temple. The second set of grants to be recorded were by another Kotte King, Parakramabahu IX (1509–1528), who donated extensive lands to the temple and recorded the deed in a 996:("holy bath") ceremony when the images are dipped into the river. At the same time thousands of devotees also jump into the river. After the holy bath, the procession goes back to the temple along a route through Chilaw, accompanied by traditional 692:("Message carried by Kokila bird") written in the 15th century by the principal monk of the Irugalkula Tilaka Pirivena in Mulgirigala. The book contains a contemporary description of the country traversed by the road taken by the 767:(consecration) ceremonies were performed in the year 1753, and for the performance of daily and special rites of the temple, Kirti Sri Rajasinghe made a grant of lands to the priests, recorded through a copper plate in 1753. 1410: 951:("Personal veneration of deity") aspect of Hinduism. Following protests by Buddhist monks and animal rights activist, the government banned the age old custom of animal sacrifices at the Kali temple in 2011. 623:
is a post-19th century CE addition. The Ganesha temple, located to the south west of the main temple is the newest amongst the Hindu temples and was built during the early 19th century by artisans from
880:
stands in the northern part of the pathway. In the southwest of the outer courtyard is another temple dedicated to Ganesha. Within the Siva temple there are shrines dedicated to the
1814: 615:. Spirit possession of devotees was noted by the Jesuit priests who left behind records of it in the 16th century. The temple dedicated to the Sinhala deity Ayyanayake ( 282:. The Kali temple is also popular with Buddhists, who frequent the complex. Post-19th century, most of the devotees of all temples in the complex belong to the majority 1498: 788:. Sinhalese myths say that Munneswaram is the place where the deity Kali landed from India. The legend further postulates that another Sinhalese female deity, 780:
temple. According to a Tamil legend, Sinhala Buddhists who hail from outside of Pattuva, Munneswaram is primarily a goddess temple, currently associated with
522:
which Maradankulama provided political leadership. The Pattuva belonged to an even bigger medieval division called Demala Pattuva ruled by semi-independent
1571: 410: 156: 305:. The main Shiva temple owns extensive property in the surrounding villages, ownership of which was affirmed when the region was part of the medieval 1374: 1540: 286:
Buddhist ethnic group; the temples, excluding the Ayyanayake and the Buddhist temple, are administered by families belonging to the minority
840:
accepting temple properties as belonging to a newly created temple trust. The trust came under the control of one Cumaraswamy Kurukal from
1804: 557: 848:. The temple has become very popular amongst the Sinhalese and they make up over 78% of the pilgrims to both the Siva and Kali temples. 561: 46: 1713: 1564: 755:
had the superstructure rebuilt in the 1750s. The Kalasam or Kotha on top was made of silver, a work of art displaying affinity to
247:. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic 125: 1640: 569: 1757: 1232: 868:. The Siva temple faces east and has three pathways around it. A sacred pond is situated in front of the Siva temple and a 1182: 1737: 1557: 872:
tree stands by the side of it. The main sanctum and the structure above the sanctum are one of the largest in Sri Lanka.
817:. By 1816, Munneswaram village had hardly 64 people, and the entire Munneswaram Pattuva had 1008 people in 63 villages. 1809: 669: 1508: 1448: 1420: 992:
the final day of the festival, two large chariots are drawn by the devotees to the Deduru oya, a local river for the
820:
The temple properties were no longer cultivated, and tanks were not maintained. Thus the population was surviving on
71: 748: 1674: 266:
The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to
1747: 1708: 270:(Siva) is the most prestigious and biggest, and is popular amongst Hindus. The other temples are dedicated to 864:. The Siva temple's architectural details conform to what is written down in the Hindu scriptures known as 149: 1382: 1004:
musicians. The procession then passes the Ayyanayake and Kali temples prior to entering the main temple.
603:
The Siva temple is historically attested in grants and in local literature. The Kali temple is a popular
310: 568:. Anthropologist Rohan Bastin speculates that the main Siva temple was once a minor shrine dedicated to 1718: 509: 1679: 1537: 655:), forms the five ancient temples (Ishwarams) dedicated to Shiva in the region including Sri Lanka. 517:
is one of the few surviving idols from the days prior to the temple's destruction by the Portuguese.
1742: 1703: 903: 832:
A few villagers from Munneswaram village filed a case in the Chilaw district courts to prevent the
744: 440: 364: 739:
Following the destruction, the Munneswaram Pattuva area came under the control of the expanding
668:
The first known reconstruction of the temple was recorded in a grant made by Kotte Kingdom King
760: 196: 1013: 619:
to the Tamils) is administered by a local Sinhalese family. The Buddhist temple Pushparamaya
294: 99: 1438: 824:
agriculture. British colonial policies favored the conversion of these lands into lucrative
920: 467: 959: 8: 1752: 1650: 1615: 1600: 814: 740: 648: 640: 963:
A chariot carrying images of the deities in procession, as part of the temple festivals.
865: 944: 604: 795:
Another myth current amongst Tamils says that the temple was renovated by a legendary
792:, prevented Kali from devouring human beings and made her settle down in Munneswaram. 1698: 1655: 1605: 1514: 1504: 1486: 1478: 1454: 1444: 1426: 1416: 1412:
The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka
936: 932: 721: 709: 652: 632: 612: 429: 399: 302: 287: 61: 931:
specialists and act as intermediaries between the deity and the devotee while being
1620: 1592: 1028: 916: 764: 685: 581: 283: 256: 232: 596:
kingdoms of Tamilakam, stopping at Puttalam of the Jaffna kingdom and sailing the
1645: 1544: 988: 752: 705: 1532: 1240: 1466: 1190: 924: 837: 821: 725: 681: 673: 597: 535: 298: 224: 530:("Lord of antiquity" alluding to its ancient roots) and the goddess is called 1798: 1549: 1490: 1482: 593: 589: 545: 318: 306: 297:, a village with mixed Sinhala and Tamil population situated in the historic 171: 158: 1518: 1458: 1430: 1580: 523: 240: 1154:
The adventures of Ibn Battuta, a Muslim traveler of the fourteenth century
688:, a military leader sent by the Kotte king in 1450, was celebrated in the 861: 756: 701: 697: 636: 625: 585: 577: 1781: 997: 972: 869: 785: 644: 572: 368: 333: 329: 1467:"Munnicuvaram (Munnesvaram) Kovil: Its History, Ceremonies and Layout" 935:. The popular veneration of previously Hindu deities such as Kali and 1584: 968: 892: 881: 833: 538: 244: 113: 526:
chiefs subject to Sinhalese kingdoms. The presiding deity is called
888: 677: 616: 248: 51: 1689: 1665: 981: 977: 940: 885: 841: 825: 789: 565: 549: 314: 275: 271: 1772: 1762: 1001: 948: 928: 857: 845: 728: 693: 620: 553: 514: 486: 322: 103: 1440:
Sri Lanka in the Modern Age: A History of Contested Identities
704:(referred to as Devi Nuwara - "City of Gods") in the south to 576:
A ferry transported traders, pilgrims and chroniclers such as
30: 1728: 1631: 908: 796: 777: 608: 379: 267: 260: 83: 78: 967:
The Munneswaram temple is well known for its celebration of
907:
Panel View within the Munneswaram temple, depicting goddess
836:
of temple properties by outsiders. The case resulted in the
544:
The temple has historically been associated with the nearby
877: 810: 781: 279: 252: 325:
are associated with organizing the main temple festival.
1815:
Archaeological protected monuments in Puttalam District
829:
disassociated from the temple and its administration.
856:
The presiding deity Siva is installed in the form of
496:
Animal sacrifices banned by the Sri Lankan government
943:) have fundamentally altered the rational nature of 328:
The main festivals celebrated at the temple include
1500:
Buddhism Transformed: Religious Change in Sri Lanka
420:
Animal sacrifices banned by Portuguese missionaries
1538:Buddhist monks protest animal sacrifice In Chilaw 1176: 1174: 1796: 313:officers, who handed over the properties to the 1579: 1181:Maniccavasagar, Chelvatamby (14 August 2009). 1180: 1171: 987:Devotees visit the temple to attend the daily 534:("goddess of beautiful form" another name for 1565: 1436: 1261: 891:saints, various aspects of Siva, Ganesha and 658: 611:shrine associated with animal sacrifices and 1471:Uppsala Studies in the History of Religions 1296: 1294: 1226: 1224: 1222: 1220: 1572: 1558: 1464: 1124: 1122: 1098: 1049: 1047: 132: 29: 1496: 1360: 1291: 1230: 1217: 958: 902: 672:(1412/1415–1467). The grant was made in 508: 309:. The temple was destroyed twice by the 1119: 1044: 1797: 1408: 1366: 1348: 1336: 1324: 1312: 1300: 1285: 1273: 1231:Schokman, Derrick (6 September 2003). 1211: 1165: 1140: 1128: 1113: 1077: 1065: 1053: 976:Hindus, Buddhists, Catholics and even 939:(the latter identified with the Hindu 898: 1553: 1437:Wikramesinghe, Nira (November 2005), 1109: 1107: 1094: 1092: 1090: 1088: 1086: 1372: 450:Second destruction by the Portuguese 390:The Siva temple issues its own coins 1497:Gombrich, Richard (December 1999), 255:. The temple is one of the ancient 13: 1805:Hindu temples in Puttalam District 1104: 1083: 477:Renovations by Cumarasamy Kurukkal 14: 1826: 1533:The cursing practice in Sri Lanka 1526: 301:("Tamil division") region in the 1022: 884:(nine planets), the sixty three 851: 803: 206:Earliest date 1000 CE (probable) 131: 124: 1465:Velupillai, Alvapillai (1995), 1409:Bastin, Rohan (December 2002), 1354: 1342: 1330: 1318: 1306: 1279: 1267: 1255: 1205: 1443:, University of Hawaii Press, 1375:"Mervyn Bans Slaughter Houses" 1159: 1146: 1134: 1071: 1059: 784:, and also a popular place of 251:, and its legendary hero-king 1: 1477:, Uppsala University: 68–71, 1401: 1183:"Munneswaram Annual festival" 915:According to anthropologists 1621:Thennesvaram (Thondrisvaram) 954: 600:during the 14th century CE. 7: 1007: 838:British colonial government 813:land into plantations from 458:Restored by local villagers 239:) is an important regional 10: 1831: 1233:"The Munneswaram Festival" 659:Renovation and destruction 339: 1810:Siva temples in Sri Lanka 1771: 1727: 1688: 1664: 1629: 1591: 485:Renovations by concerned 293:The temple is located in 236: 228: 210: 202: 192: 187: 148: 140:Location in Sri Lanka 200 119: 109: 95: 90: 77: 67: 57: 45: 40: 28: 23: 16:Hindu temple in Sri Lanka 1675:Ariyalai Siddhivinayakar 1037: 770: 631:Munneswaram, along with 378:Temple converted into a 172:7.5807778°N 79.8166722°E 1503:, Motilal Banarsidass, 365:village guardian shrine 1543:27 August 2010 at the 1152:Ross E. Dunn. (1986). 964: 933:possessed by the deity 912: 761:Dravidian architecture 570:village guardian deity 518: 197:Dravidian architecture 150:Geographic coordinates 1738:Nainativu Nagapushani 1641:East Thanthonrisvaram 1014:Hinduism in Sri Lanka 962: 906: 512: 177:7.5807778; 79.8166722 1775:Temples & others 1385:on 23 September 2011 1029:Sri Lanka portal 921:Gananath Obeyesekere 670:Parakrakrama Bahu VI 532:Sri Vativampika Devi 468:Kirti Sri Rajasinghe 1758:Thambiluvil Kannaki 1656:Jaffna Saddainathar 899:Center of Kali cult 815:subsistence farming 751:(1747–1782) of the 749:Kirti Sri Rajasinha 741:Kingdom of Sitawaka 311:Portuguese colonial 229:முன்னேசுவரம் கோயில் 168: /  1415:, Berghahn Books, 1363:, pp. 133–162 1262:Wikramesinghe 2005 965: 945:Theravada Buddhism 913: 743:, led by its king 649:Thiruketheeshwaram 519: 350:Munneswaram temple 237:මුන්නේශ්වරම් කෝවිල 221:Munneswaram temple 24:Munneswaram temple 1790: 1789: 1782:Vallipuram Vishnu 1753:Nuwara Eliya Sita 1704:Nallur Kandaswamy 1193:on 19 August 2009 1031: 937:Kataragama deviyo 862:sanctum sanctorum 613:spirit possession 507: 506: 503: 502: 491:(1919 & 1963) 428:Destroyed by the 411:Parakrama Bahu IX 400:Parakrama Bahu VI 354:(1000–1963) 303:Puttalam District 218: 217: 1822: 1743:Trinco Badrakali 1593:Pancha Ishwarams 1574: 1567: 1560: 1551: 1550: 1521: 1493: 1461: 1433: 1395: 1394: 1392: 1390: 1381:. Archived from 1373:Samantha, Jude. 1370: 1364: 1358: 1352: 1346: 1340: 1339:, pp. 35–38 1334: 1328: 1322: 1316: 1310: 1304: 1303:, pp. 45–52 1298: 1289: 1283: 1277: 1271: 1265: 1259: 1253: 1252: 1250: 1248: 1239:. Archived from 1228: 1215: 1209: 1203: 1202: 1200: 1198: 1189:. Archived from 1178: 1169: 1163: 1157: 1150: 1144: 1143:, pp. 20–22 1138: 1132: 1126: 1117: 1116:, pp. 21–23 1111: 1102: 1101:, pp. 68–71 1096: 1081: 1080:, pp. 17–18 1075: 1069: 1063: 1057: 1051: 1027: 1026: 1025: 1020: 917:Richard Gombrich 765:kumbhabhishekham 690:Kokila Sandesaya 686:Sapumal Kumaraya 582:Tenavaram temple 528:Sri Munnainathar 360: 359: 352: 344: 343: 257:Pancha Ishwarams 238: 230: 203:Date established 183: 182: 180: 179: 178: 173: 169: 166: 165: 164: 161: 135: 134: 128: 33: 21: 20: 1830: 1829: 1825: 1824: 1823: 1821: 1820: 1819: 1795: 1794: 1791: 1786: 1767: 1763:Udappu Draupadi 1748:Mutwal Mahakali 1723: 1684: 1660: 1625: 1587: 1578: 1545:Wayback Machine 1529: 1524: 1511: 1451: 1423: 1404: 1399: 1398: 1388: 1386: 1371: 1367: 1359: 1355: 1347: 1343: 1335: 1331: 1327:, p. 30–31 1323: 1319: 1311: 1307: 1299: 1292: 1284: 1280: 1272: 1268: 1260: 1256: 1246: 1244: 1243:on 30 June 2009 1229: 1218: 1210: 1206: 1196: 1194: 1179: 1172: 1164: 1160: 1151: 1147: 1139: 1135: 1127: 1120: 1112: 1105: 1099:Velupillai 1995 1097: 1084: 1076: 1072: 1064: 1060: 1052: 1045: 1040: 1023: 1021: 1010: 957: 901: 854: 806: 773: 753:Kandyan Kingdom 661: 466:Renovations by 415:(1509–28) 409:Renovations by 398:Renovations by 353: 347: 342: 263:in the region. 176: 174: 170: 167: 162: 159: 157: 155: 154: 144: 143: 142: 141: 138: 137: 136: 36: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1828: 1818: 1817: 1812: 1807: 1788: 1787: 1785: 1784: 1778: 1776: 1769: 1768: 1766: 1765: 1760: 1755: 1750: 1745: 1740: 1734: 1732: 1725: 1724: 1722: 1721: 1716: 1711: 1706: 1701: 1695: 1693: 1686: 1685: 1683: 1682: 1677: 1671: 1669: 1662: 1661: 1659: 1658: 1653: 1648: 1646:Adi Konesvaram 1643: 1637: 1635: 1627: 1626: 1624: 1623: 1618: 1613: 1608: 1603: 1597: 1595: 1589: 1588: 1577: 1576: 1569: 1562: 1554: 1548: 1547: 1535: 1528: 1527:External links 1525: 1523: 1522: 1509: 1494: 1462: 1449: 1434: 1421: 1405: 1403: 1400: 1397: 1396: 1365: 1353: 1341: 1329: 1317: 1305: 1290: 1278: 1266: 1254: 1216: 1204: 1170: 1158: 1145: 1133: 1118: 1103: 1082: 1070: 1058: 1042: 1041: 1039: 1036: 1035: 1034: 1016: 1009: 1006: 956: 953: 925:mother goddess 900: 897: 853: 850: 822:slash and burn 805: 802: 772: 769: 737: 736: 735:Reconstruction 726:Roman Catholic 718: 717: 682:Jaffna kingdom 674:Grantha script 666: 665: 660: 657: 598:Gulf of Mannar 536:Mother goddess 505: 504: 501: 500: 497: 493: 492: 489: 482: 481: 478: 474: 473: 470: 463: 462: 459: 455: 454: 451: 447: 446: 443: 436: 435: 432: 425: 424: 421: 417: 416: 413: 406: 405: 404:(1450 or 1453) 402: 395: 394: 391: 387: 386: 383: 375: 374: 371: 356: 355: 341: 338: 299:Demala Pattuva 216: 215: 212: 208: 207: 204: 200: 199: 194: 190: 189: 185: 184: 152: 146: 145: 139: 130: 129: 123: 122: 121: 120: 117: 116: 111: 107: 106: 97: 93: 92: 88: 87: 81: 75: 74: 69: 65: 64: 59: 55: 54: 49: 43: 42: 38: 37: 34: 26: 25: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1827: 1816: 1813: 1811: 1808: 1806: 1803: 1802: 1800: 1793: 1783: 1780: 1779: 1777: 1774: 1770: 1764: 1761: 1759: 1756: 1754: 1751: 1749: 1746: 1744: 1741: 1739: 1736: 1735: 1733: 1730: 1726: 1720: 1717: 1715: 1712: 1710: 1707: 1705: 1702: 1700: 1697: 1696: 1694: 1691: 1687: 1681: 1678: 1676: 1673: 1672: 1670: 1667: 1663: 1657: 1654: 1652: 1649: 1647: 1644: 1642: 1639: 1638: 1636: 1633: 1628: 1622: 1619: 1617: 1614: 1612: 1609: 1607: 1604: 1602: 1599: 1598: 1596: 1594: 1590: 1586: 1582: 1581:Hindu temples 1575: 1570: 1568: 1563: 1561: 1556: 1555: 1552: 1546: 1542: 1539: 1536: 1534: 1531: 1530: 1520: 1516: 1512: 1510:81-208-0702-2 1506: 1502: 1501: 1495: 1492: 1488: 1484: 1480: 1476: 1472: 1468: 1463: 1460: 1456: 1452: 1450:0-8248-3016-4 1446: 1442: 1441: 1435: 1432: 1428: 1424: 1422:1-57181-252-0 1418: 1414: 1413: 1407: 1406: 1384: 1380: 1379:Sunday Leader 1376: 1369: 1362: 1361:Gombrich 1999 1357: 1350: 1345: 1338: 1333: 1326: 1321: 1314: 1309: 1302: 1297: 1295: 1287: 1282: 1275: 1270: 1263: 1258: 1242: 1238: 1234: 1227: 1225: 1223: 1221: 1213: 1208: 1192: 1188: 1184: 1177: 1175: 1167: 1162: 1156:. pp. 242-243 1155: 1149: 1142: 1137: 1130: 1125: 1123: 1115: 1110: 1108: 1100: 1095: 1093: 1091: 1089: 1087: 1079: 1074: 1068:, p. 158 1067: 1062: 1055: 1050: 1048: 1043: 1033: 1032: 1030: 1017: 1015: 1012: 1011: 1005: 1003: 999: 995: 990: 985: 983: 979: 974: 970: 961: 952: 950: 946: 942: 938: 934: 930: 926: 922: 918: 910: 905: 896: 894: 890: 887: 883: 879: 876:dedicated to 873: 871: 867: 863: 859: 852:Temple layout 849: 847: 843: 839: 835: 830: 827: 823: 818: 816: 812: 804:Modern temple 801: 798: 793: 791: 787: 783: 779: 768: 766: 762: 758: 754: 750: 746: 742: 734: 733: 732: 730: 727: 723: 715: 714: 713: 712:inscription. 711: 707: 703: 699: 695: 691: 687: 683: 679: 675: 671: 663: 662: 656: 654: 650: 646: 642: 638: 634: 629: 627: 622: 618: 614: 610: 606: 601: 599: 595: 591: 587: 583: 579: 574: 571: 567: 563: 559: 555: 551: 547: 542: 540: 537: 533: 529: 525: 516: 511: 498: 495: 494: 490: 488: 484: 483: 479: 476: 475: 471: 469: 465: 464: 460: 457: 456: 452: 449: 448: 444: 442: 438: 437: 433: 431: 427: 426: 422: 419: 418: 414: 412: 408: 407: 403: 401: 397: 396: 392: 389: 388: 384: 381: 377: 376: 372: 370: 366: 363:Founded as a 362: 361: 358: 357: 351: 346: 345: 337: 335: 331: 326: 324: 320: 319:Maradankulama 316: 312: 308: 307:Kotte Kingdom 304: 300: 296: 291: 289: 285: 281: 277: 273: 269: 264: 262: 259:dedicated to 258: 254: 250: 246: 242: 234: 226: 222: 213: 209: 205: 201: 198: 195: 191: 186: 181: 163:79°49′00.02″E 153: 151: 147: 127: 118: 115: 112: 108: 105: 101: 98: 94: 89: 85: 82: 80: 76: 73: 72:North Western 70: 66: 63: 60: 56: 53: 50: 48: 44: 39: 32: 27: 22: 19: 1792: 1719:Ukanthamalai 1709:Maviddapuram 1651:Choleeswaram 1616:Nagulesvaram 1610: 1499: 1474: 1470: 1439: 1411: 1389:19 September 1387:. Retrieved 1383:the original 1378: 1368: 1356: 1351:, p. 28 1344: 1332: 1320: 1315:, p. 30 1308: 1288:, p. 23 1281: 1276:, p. 18 1269: 1264:, p. 21 1257: 1245:. Retrieved 1241:the original 1236: 1214:, p. 36 1207: 1195:. Retrieved 1191:the original 1186: 1168:, p. 21 1161: 1153: 1148: 1136: 1131:, p. 15 1073: 1061: 1056:, p. 35 1019: 1018: 993: 986: 966: 947:towards the 914: 874: 855: 831: 819: 807: 794: 774: 745:Rajasinghe I 738: 719: 710:copper plate 702:Tevan Thurai 689: 667: 641:Naguleswaram 630: 602: 586:Tevan Thurai 543: 531: 527: 520: 441:Rajasinghe I 423:(After 1505) 349: 348:Timeline of 327: 292: 288:Hindu Tamils 265: 241:Hindu temple 220: 219: 188:Architecture 160:7°34′50.80″N 18: 1714:Thirukkovil 1699:Kathirkamam 1611:Munnesvaram 1601:Kethisvaram 1349:Bastin 2002 1337:Bastin 2002 1325:Bastin 2002 1313:Bastin 2002 1301:Bastin 2002 1286:Bastin 2002 1274:Bastin 2002 1212:Bastin 2002 1166:Bastin 2002 1141:Bastin 2002 1129:Bastin 2002 1114:Bastin 2002 1078:Bastin 2002 1066:Bastin 2002 1054:Bastin 2002 757:South India 716:Destruction 696:bird, from 637:Trincomalee 626:South India 578:Ibn Battuta 439:Rebuilt by 295:Munneswaram 243:complex in 175: / 100:Munneswaram 47:Affiliation 35:Siva temple 1799:Categories 1606:Konesvaram 1402:References 1247:5 December 1237:Daily News 1197:5 December 1187:Daily News 998:Nadeswaram 973:Sivarathri 722:Portuguese 664:Renovation 645:Keerimalai 633:Koneswaram 573:Munisvaran 430:Portuguese 369:Munisvaran 334:Sivarathri 330:Navarathri 1585:Sri Lanka 1491:476421554 1483:1400-4763 969:Navaratri 955:Festivals 882:Navagraha 834:land grab 698:Tenavaram 558:Viramunda 245:Sri Lanka 211:Completed 114:Sri Lanka 1666:Pillayar 1541:Archived 1519:17871961 1459:65538901 1431:50028737 1008:See also 994:thirtham 889:Nayanmar 678:Sanskrit 617:Aiyyanar 562:Kadavara 552:town of 546:pearling 249:Ramayana 96:Location 91:Location 68:Province 62:Puttalam 58:District 52:Hinduism 41:Religion 1731:Temples 1692:Temples 1690:Murugan 1680:Manipay 1668:Temples 1634:Temples 978:Muslims 886:Saivite 860:in the 842:Colombo 826:coconut 790:Pattini 786:sorcery 609:cursing 605:sorcery 588:to the 566:Bandara 550:fishing 340:History 315:Jesuits 284:Sinhala 276:Aiyanar 272:Ganesha 233:Sinhala 110:Country 102:, near 1773:Vishnu 1630:Other 1517:  1507:  1489:  1481:  1457:  1447:  1429:  1419:  1002:Thavil 982:Skanda 949:Bhakti 941:Skanda 929:trance 866:agamas 858:Lingam 846:Jaffna 763:. The 729:chapel 706:Nallur 694:cookoo 653:Mannar 621:Vihara 554:Chilaw 515:Lingam 499:(2011) 487:Tamils 480:(1875) 472:(1753) 461:(????) 453:(1600) 445:(????) 434:(1578) 393:(1100) 385:(????) 382:temple 373:(1000) 323:Udappu 104:Chilaw 86:(Siva) 1729:Amman 1632:Shiva 1038:Notes 989:pujas 909:Durga 893:Amman 811:paddy 797:Chola 771:Myths 594:Chola 590:Chera 580:from 539:Ambal 524:Tamil 513:This 268:Shiva 261:Shiva 225:Tamil 84:Shiva 79:Deity 1515:OCLC 1505:ISBN 1487:OCLC 1479:ISSN 1455:OCLC 1445:ISBN 1427:OCLC 1417:ISBN 1391:2011 1249:2009 1199:2009 1000:and 971:and 919:and 878:Kali 782:Kali 778:Siva 720:The 607:and 592:and 564:and 548:and 380:Siva 332:and 321:and 280:Kali 278:and 253:Rama 214:1753 193:Type 1583:in 870:fig 759:'s 684:by 676:in 647:), 639:), 541:). 367:to 1801:: 1513:, 1485:, 1473:, 1469:, 1453:, 1425:, 1377:. 1293:^ 1235:. 1219:^ 1185:. 1173:^ 1121:^ 1106:^ 1085:^ 1046:^ 895:. 700:, 628:. 584:, 560:, 290:. 274:, 235:: 231:, 227:: 1573:e 1566:t 1559:v 1475:2 1393:. 1251:. 1201:. 911:. 651:( 643:( 635:( 223:(

Index


Affiliation
Hinduism
Puttalam
North Western
Deity
Shiva
Munneswaram
Chilaw
Sri Lanka
Munneswaram temple is located in Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates
7°34′50.80″N 79°49′00.02″E / 7.5807778°N 79.8166722°E / 7.5807778; 79.8166722
Dravidian architecture
Tamil
Sinhala
Hindu temple
Sri Lanka
Ramayana
Rama
Pancha Ishwarams
Shiva
Shiva
Ganesha
Aiyanar
Kali
Sinhala
Hindu Tamils
Munneswaram
Demala Pattuva

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.