Naguleswaram temple
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Naguleswaram temple | |
---|---|
Kankesanturai | |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Geographic coordinates | 9°49′0″N 80°0′0″E / 9.81667°N 80.00000°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Dravidian architecture |
Completed | 6th century BCE [1] |
Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple (
Keerimalai is 50 feet above sea level, and situated west of
The temple was largely destroyed by Jesuit missionaries following the
History
Etymology
Keeri in Tamil and nagula in Sanskrit mean "mongoose". Keeri-malai in Tamil means "Mongoose-Hill". The temple is situated adjacent to the mineral water springs. The legendary sage Nagula Muni, shrunk by age and austerity while meditating at a cave in Keerimalai was likened to mongooses that frequented the area. The sage bathed in the springs and was cured of his mongoose face. In gratitude, Nagula Muni constructed a small shrine and worshipped the Lingam enshrined there. This became known as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai and also the Naguleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai alluding to the sage.[2]
Development
Naguleswaram temple of Kankesanthurai was restored during the reign of Prince Vijaya of Vanga (543-505 BCE). One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost shrine on the island of the Pancha Ishwarams of Lord Siva, venerated by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus around the world from classical antiquity.[3] Its adjacent water tank, the Keerimalai Springs attribution to curative properties has been related in irrigation scientific studies to its high mineral content, sourced from underground.[4][3]
The
Festivals
"Maasi Magam" and "Aadi Amaavaasai" festival days, the latter falling during the
Literature
Destruction by the Portuguese
Following destruction by the Portuguese in 1621, Naguleswaram's Brahmin priests hid the main icons in a well before fleeing, which were since recovered.
Reconstruction
After a gap of almost 400 years in 1894 ACE, local
Occupation and bombing by Sri Lankan Army
In 1983, the temple was occupied by the
Mahakumbhabhishekam in 2012
On Monday 6 February 2012, a major reconstruction of the temple was completed under the authority of the chief priest, Sivasri Naguleswara Kurukkal, and Naguleswaram's Mahakumbhabhishekam took place. It was a monumental event with thousands of devotees who came to pray and receive blessings.
Gallery
See also
- Hinduism in Sri Lanka
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
- Vallipuram
- Keerimalai
- Kantharodai
References
- ^ Lonely Planet Sri Lanka, p. 682, 2018
- ^ a b c d M.D. Rhagavan (1971). Tamil culture in Ceylon
- ^ a b c "Naguleswaram Temple". Time Out. 3 March 2015.
- ^ Dr. Arumugam. More Hindu temples in Sri Lanka
- ^ Nirmala Ramachandran (2004). The Hindu Legacy to Sri Lanka. pp. 17
- ^ "Case of the missing idols – vandalism or sacrilege?" (1997). Weekend Express.