Thirukoneswaram

This temple is situated on the hill top at Sri Lanka’s North East sea coast. Another name of this hill is “Swamimalai”. Other names of this place are as follows:- Koneswaram Thadchana Kayilayam, Thirikoodam, Thenkalai Kaikegi Koil etc.

Thirumoolar in his “Thirumanthiaram (2747) has mentioned Ceylon as “Sivapoomi” as “Meruvin Kuri” denotes Koneshar hill. Koneswaram is one of the ancient temple of God Shiva. It is also mentioned that both Mohanthanchatharae civilization and Koneswara civilization belong to one and the same period. Thus says some of the researches.

Ancient history says that Konesapperuman was the favorite God of the Eelaththu King Ravanan. The very temple which Ravana worshipped during his time is under the sea says, researches as the South Indian Kavirippoompadinam was washed away by the sea, so the thing must have happened to Thirukoneswaram also. One Paali text named “Rajavali” remains a proof to such message two big took place after Ramayana period, in B.C. 3524 and after which during the region of Vihara Madevy’s father Kalanitheesan says history.

Following the Chola King named Kulakkoddan did the necessary Thiruppany and rebuilt the same temple says certain Sasanankal. This temple was well planned and built with many halls and big surrounding pathset.

Later, Jaffna Kings contributed their Perumpaani to this temple and worshiped. Such an ancient great temple was demolished by the Portugal general in 1924, and he built a fort on the area history says so. But a photo of that particular temple was found in the “Adsuda” literary at “Lisben” town. This photo was of great at help to Dr.Balednra who did a lot of service for the re-newal of the temple. He also published in 1953 a book named “Trincomalee Vikirakankal which could give maximum details about the same temple.

While renewing the temple on the 9th of July 1950, the temple Thiruppani Sapai dugged a well, and they found under the ground the statues of Somaskandar, Parwathy and Chandrasekarer.

Owing to the hard efforts of the Thiruppani Sabai a temple was built with a wide road way surrounding the temple on the 3rd of April 1963 and Nithiya Naimithiya Poojas started immediately. Thus the present temple which we see now is the 3rd one of the Konesar temple.

Thirugnanasambandha Nayanar has sung a Thevara Thiruppathikam on this temple also the greatness and religious importance of this popular temple is seen in Gnanasampantha Peruman’s Thiruppathikakovai 2nd song as “Annamalai Eenkoyumaththu…” and in Sunthara Swamikal’s Thiruppathikam section Urththokai Pathikam 3rd song which starts as “Niraikkaaddanae Nenchathanae..” the word “Makonam” Thirukkoneswaram. Also Arunakirinathar has composed Thiruppukal on this temple.

As, the former worhippers of this famous temple, who got the blessings of Konesapperuman can be mentioned as follows:- Thevendran Ravana’s mother, Vijayan, and King Kayapahu etc.

The name of the Moorthy here is named as Koneswarar, Godess Mathumai, holy Theerththam Pavanasam, Thalaviduchcham Kailaya Puranam Thirukkonesala Vaipavam, Thirukkonainathar Vaipavam, Thirukkonemalai, Anthathy are books that narrates the history of this famous temple.

On March Full Moon day, Uththara Nadchathiram the annual festival of this great temple occures and the Theerththa festival follows on the Thiruthiya Parani Naal.