Munneswaram

Among the temple in Sri Lanka one of the temples that is with the three essentials as Moorthy Thalam and Theerththam is Muneswaram. This is in Chilaw at the North West of Eelanadu. This temple is mentioned in the name as Alakeswaram in Siva Maha PUranam. Puranas says that this Thalam was worshipped by Raman, Viyasar and many other hermits. Also it is specially mentioned that King Parakkiramabahu the 6th also worshipped this holy temple and got blessings and great benetits. Kulakkaddumanan worshipped this temple renewed it, and donated 64 villages to this temple. Katpiddy Kuda, 12 miles land surrounding from Chilaw up to Udappu belonged to this temple at that time. These villagers did service needed to this temple. Among the Kings of Koddai (Fort) Parakremabahu the 6th was considered to be the best King and he donated many villages to this temple and services too.

Maruthankulam, Veerapandiam, Iraddaikulam, Thamaraikulam, Kakkappali, Poththuvil, Manatkulam, Mandaikondaan, Kaluvamadu, Theerthakarai, Manavari, Kusalai, Karukkapanai, Koddaippiddy, Aanaivilunthan, Muththupanthy and Mathurancholai, are places where Hindu Saiva Tamils lived in good number.

When the Portuguese conquered Ilankai, they destroyed this temple, and got hold of all properties belonging to the temple including all the jewels. Then in the year 1953 the Kandy King Keerthy Shree Rajasinghan rebuilt this temple. He also brought Sitpa artist from Tamil Nadu and did all what needed for the temple and Kudamulukku too took place and the holy idols of Vinayakar, Subramaniam, Nadarajar and Arumugaperuman which were in the wells, were renewed and placed at temple fit for worship when God His almighty created the world the idol of Sivalingham is found at present, is said to appear as, Suyambulingham in this temple itself so the Sivalingha Peruman here is named as Suyambu Kesar. Now the Poojas are properly conducted here and a good number of villagers are living here. Among the Hindu Festivals Navarathri is specially conducted here yearly.

Again in 1963 this temple was renewed and Kuda Mulukku was ell conducted.

The statues of all the 63 Nayanmar are kept in this temple and regular Pojas are conducted to them. This is the only such temple found in Eelam.

The name of the good God here is Munnainathar and Devy is Vadivambikai Theertham is Mayavanaru (alais) Thethuru Ooya. The following Puranas narrate the history of this famous temple. The are:-

Thadchina Kaiyalaya Puranam, Muneshwara Manmiam, Muneswaa Anthaty Muneswara Pamalai, Munnainatha Swamy Vadivalakammai and Munnainatha Swami Nava Thoothu.