Ketheeswaram Temple, Mannar, Srilanka
Ketheeswaram Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Mannar, Northern Province Sri
Lanka. Thirukketisvaram
is one of the Pancha
Iswarams dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and is venerated by Shaivas throughout the
continent. It is located in Manthota, an old port town of Mannar District and
which is a few Kms North from Mannar town. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruketheeswarar
and Mother is called as Gowri Ambal.
Literary and inscriptional evidence of the post
classical period (300BC-1500AD) attests to the upkeep of the temple during
the ancient period by kings of the Pallava, Pandyan
Dynasty and Chola dynasties who contributed to its development up to
the late 16th century. In 1575, Thirukketisvaram
was largely destroyed by Portuguese colonials, with Pujas terminating at the shrine in 1589. Following an
appeal by Arumuga Naavalar in 1872, the temple was rebuilt at its original
site in 1903.
Throughout its history, the temple has been administered
and frequented by Sri Lankan Hindu Tamils. Its famous tank, the Palavi tank, is of ancient
antiquity and was restored from the ruins. Thirukketisvaram
is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Shiva glorified in the poems of the Thevaram. This is the 274th Devaram Paadal Petra
Shiva Sthalam and 2nd Shiva Sthalam in Eezha Nadu, the present Sri
Lanka. Tirugnanasambandar and Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva
of this temple.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Literary
Mention
Ketisvaram Temple and the waters of the Palavi tank by
its side are heralded in the Saiva work Thevaram in the 6th century CE by Sambandar. Along with Koneswaram
temple on Swami Rock, Trincomalee, Ketisvaram Temple and its deity are praised in the
same literature canon by the 8th century CE Nayanmar, Sundarar. Thirukketisvaram henceforth is glorified as one of
275 Shiva Sthalams of the continent, part of the Paadal Petra Sthalam group. The only other Sthalam from Eelam is Koneswaram.
Saint Tirugnana Sambandhar and later Saint Sundarar each
offered a Patikam of Thevaram verses to the Lord of Thiruketheeswaram. This is
the 274th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 2nd Shiva
Sthalam in Eezha Nadu, the present Sri Lanka. Tirugnanasambandar and Sundarar
has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. For this temple’s Devara
Thirupathikam meanings are written by Sri Ponnambalam Pillai, the son in law of
Sri la Sri Arumuga Naavalar.
Prayers
Thiruketheeswaram, near Mannar, is the Sthalam where
thousands gather on Shivaratri night for veneration of Lord Shiva. They perform
their sin dispelling ablutionary Theertham baths in the sacred waters
of Pal Theertham, the following morning. Theertha Kavadi is a special
ritual here. To be permitted to perform Linga abishekam is the
greatest aspiration of any pious Hindu. This is possible only in Kasi and Thiruketheeswaram.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Manthai
Junction Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Thiruketheeswaram Junction Bus Stop, 10 Kms
from Mannar CTB Bus Station, 12 Kms from Mannar Railway Station, 75 Kms from Vavuniya,
113 Kms from Anuradhapura, 170 Kms from Trincomalee, 235 Kms from Kandy, 307
Kms from Colombo and 278 Kms from Colombo Airport.
By Road:
Tourists can board the bus traveling to Mannar at the Colombo
Fort Bus Station or Colombo Central Bus Stand in Pettah. The Temple is located
at about 1.5 Kms from Thiruketheeswaram Junction Bus Stop and 10 Kms from Mannar
CTB Bus Station.
By
Train:
Tourists can take Trains 5452 (08.50 AM) and 5067 (07.40
PM) from Colombo Fort Railway Station to reach Mannar. These Trains are daily
trains. The Temple is accessible from Mannar Railway Station by means of local
Buses, Taxis and Autos.
By Air:
Nearest Airport is Colombo International Airport (278
Kms).
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