Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee – Literary Mention

Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee – Literary Mention

Mention in Yalpana Vaipava Malai, Ramayana and Mahabharatha:

Koneswaram has attracted thousands of pilgrims from across Asia, its Shiva shrine mentioned in the Yalpana Vaipava Malai, Ramayana and the Mahabharata written from 400–100 B.C. describe at length its attraction to pilgrims from many countries

Devaram Paadal Petra Sthalams:

The temple is mentioned in the Saiva canonical work, Thevaram, by Thirugnana Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar, the foremost Saivite saints of 7^th – 8^th century CE and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This is the 273^rd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1^st Shiva Sthalam in Eezha Nadu, the present Sri Lanka. Tirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Thirukonasala Mahatyam:

The Thirukonasala Mahatyam, describing the origins of the world, Lanka and Koneswaram based on puranic legends is now lost. The historical literature Mattakallappu Manmiyam (Batticaloa Manmiyam) that chronicles the history of Tamil settlement in Batticaloa, follows the Dakshina Kailasa Puranam and Dakshina Kailasa Manmiam in describing Koneswaram as one of the nine most important and sacred sites in the world for all Hindus.

Sivacharita:

Swami Rock is heralded as a Shiva Upa Peetha (base) of Lanka in the Sivacharita, a Sanskrit work in praise of Shiva.

Maha Pitha Nirupana:

The manuscripts of the Pithanirnaya (Maha Pitha Nirupana) as a general Sakta Peetha of Lanka with a temple of the compounds dedicated to the goddess Indraksi Devi and a male deity Raksasesvara – a reference to Ravana.

Ashta Dasa Shakthi Peetha Stotram:

The temple to the goddess – Ambal/Uma/Shakti/Shankari Devi – was one of the 18 Maha Shakthi Peethas, those Shakti Peethas consecrated to the goddess which are mentioned in the Ashta Dasa Shakthi Peetha Stotram by the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara (788—820). 

Thirupugazh:

Lord Murugan of this Temple had been praised in Thirupugazh Hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar. 

Dakshina Kailasa Puranam:

The Dakshina Kailasa Puranam and Manmiam works note it as Dakshina / Then Kailasam (Mount Kailash of the South) for its longitudinal position and pre-eminence, it lies directly east of Kudiramalai west coast Hindu port town, while it is the easternmost shrine of the five ancient Iswarams of Shiva on the island.

Mattakallappu Manmiam:

Mattakallappu Manmiam confirms its sacred status for all Hindus. 

Kanda Puranam:

Kachiyappa Sivachariar's Kanda Puranam compares the temple to Thillai Chidambaram Temple and Mount Kailash in Saivite esteem.