Thirukoneswaram temple is a classical medieval Hindu temple complex located in Trincomalee the Eastern Capital of Sri Lanka which is directly linked to the Ramayana Yatra in Sri Lanka as well. This is also known as the Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple – the temple of the thousand pillars and Daskina, Then Kailasam. This is important Hindu religious pilgrimage center in Eastern Province which is famous Ramayana trail related site in Sri Lanka. Thirukoneswaram Hindu Temple is one of the important Pancha Ishwara Hindu kovil in Sri Lanka located in Trincomalee, rightly located on the summit of Swami Rock Trincomalee. Other Iswara Temples are Naguleswaram Temple Jaffna, Tondeswaram Temple Matara (Tenavaram), Munneswaram Temple Chilaw and Ketheeswaram Temple Mannar Sri Lanka.

Legend of the Temple

According to the Ramayana story in Sri Lanka , this is a wonderful temple located on a rock promontory which is built by Rishi Agastya on the instructions of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of king Ravana. It is also said in the epic of Ramayana that Lord Rama built the second lingam here to get rid of the Brahmahasthi Dosham which was caused by malediction of killing Ravana who was a Brahmin. It is also believed that Lord Rama has offered his prayers here too to get rid of this Dosham. This temple is respected as one among the Pancha Ishwarams in Sri Lanka and Ramayana related sites in Sri Lanka.

Historical Background

With related to the Sri Lanka Ramayana history, Koneshwaram has many strong historical associations where the shrine is described in the Vayu Purana, the Konesar Kolvettu and Tevaramhymns by Sambandhar and Sundarar a Paadal Petra Sthalam. This famous temple was built here during the glorious era of the Tamil Pallava and Chola and Pandya empires, was destroyed by Portuguese Christian between 1622 and 1624. It is believed that the temple was developed from 205 BC, the original Kovil combined key features to form its basic Dravidian temple plan, such as its thousand pillared hall – “Aayiram Kaal Mandpam” – and the Jagati expanses by King Elara Manu Needhi Cholan. Also this is regarded as the greatest building of its age for its architecture, elaborate sculptural bas – relief ornamentation adorned a black granite megalith while it’s multiple gold plated gopuram towers were expanded in the medieval period.

Lover’s Leap Trincomalee

Lover’s Leap is a cliff which is located few meters away from the Thirukoneshwaram Hindu Temple main shrine room. This is very deep cliff rightly located on the summit of famous Swami Rock of Trincomalee. There are different interpretation on this place. According to the Ramayana, the cliff is made by King Ravana. The mother of king Ravana had practiced the worshiping of God Shiva. When she was very ill, King Ravana lifted the shrine rock and at that time Lord Shiva made him to drop his sword. Therefore, this place was named as Ravana Cliff. Also a love story which says that a girl named Francina van Reed jumped from the top of the rock due to a broken relationship with a Dutch Officer during Dutch Colonial period of Sri Lanka then Ceylon.

Location

Inside the Fort Fredrick, Trincomalee town, Eastern Province of Sri Lanka

Minimum time needed at the site.

One hour

Thirukoneswaram Temple Contact details 

+94 26 222 6688

Note
Thiru Koneshwaram Temple is situated within the Dutch Fort. People are allowed to walk to the temple without any special approval. However to take vehicle need to obtain approval from the Army camp in Trincomalee.

Distance from Colombo.

260 KM

Nearest Railway

Trincomalee

Address

Thiru Koneshwaram temple, Trincomalee, 31000, Sri Lanka

For any other clarification,

please reach us Ramayana Tour Sri Lanka Help Desk
Email holidays@expeditions.lk
Hotline +94 717 88 44 99 WhatsApp / Viber +94 714 276 985

References

Mr. S. Kalaiselvam (Former Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority)
Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management – SLITHM
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (Ramayana Trail Sri Lanka) – SLTDA