Hindu Temples of India: Aathi Koneswaram Temple, Thampalakamam, Trincomalee, Srilanka

Aathi Koneswaram Temple, Thampalakamam, Trincomalee, Srilanka

Aathi Koneswaram Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thampalakamam Village very close to port town of Trincomalee in the Trincomalee District of Sri Lanka. The Temple is also called as Ati Konanayakar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Konanayakar / Aadhi Konesar and Mother is called as Hamsagamanambikai.

Etymology

The name of the temple in Tamil means the "temple of the original lord of Koneswaram".

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2018/10/aathi-koneswaram-thampalakamam-trincomalee-history.html

The Temple

The temple is built of stone and is surrounded by two enclosed path ways. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Konanayakar / Aadhi Konesar and Mother is called as Hamsagamanambikai. These names are reminiscent of the original presiding deity of the Koneswaram temple, Konesar and Annam Mennatai. The idol of the presiding deity is dated to the later Chola period (1070-1279 CE) and the consort to that of early Chola period based on the composition of metals and styles.

The temple has as its main components, Garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum, most probably the only original building left over from the days when the temple was established. There are number of halls called as Mandapam, such as Artha Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam, Snapana Mandapam and Stampa Mandapam where the flag of the temple is erected. The entrance tower or Rajagopuram is of recent addition and was added in 1953. the smaller structures have been renovated or reconstructed from time to time since the inception of the temple in the 17^th century.

The temple, which is of stone construction is surrounded by a circumambulatory enclosed by a brick walls. The temple’s name and the separate shrine to Aathi Konanayakar allude to the tradition that this temple was built to accommodate the idols that were saved from the destruction of the Temple of Thousand Pillars in Trincomalee by the Portuguese colonial officers. The Temple also houses shrines of Pattini Amman and Kathirkama Swami accommodated within the main premises. The temple also has minor shrines to Pillaiyar, Navagraha, Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devayani.