A View of Thirukoneswaram

Another view of Thirukoneswaram

Devotees entering temple

Thirukoneswaram is one of the five Eswarams- Sivan temples in Sri Lanka. The temple is situated on the top most pinnacle of the Swamy rock. And it's known as the Southern Kailasam.

Thirukoneswaram is one of the five Eswarams- Sivan temples in Sri Lanka. Thirukoneswaram is a "Padal Petta Sthalam"- Thirugnanasampanthar Nayanar has sung a series of ten Thevaram compositions.

The entrance to the Lord Sivalingam

The entrance to Goddess Mathumai Ambal

"Thuvarapalagar" on the left hand side. It is believed that the devotees need the permission from the "Thuvarapalagar" at both the sides of the temple entrance, before entering

"Thuvarapalagar" on the right hand side. It is believed that the devotees need the permission from the "Thuvarapalagar" at both the sides of the temple entrance, before entering

Lord Ganesh under the "Kodimaram". Lord Ganesh worshiped first and foremost.

"Thiraseelai" of "Moolasthanam".

"Thiraseelai" of Lord Nadesar

"Thiraseelai"

"Thiraseelai" of the "Vasantha Mandapam"

Lord Sivalingam is dressed in red in the "Moolasthanam".

Lord Sivalingam is dressed in red in the "Moolasthanam".

Goddess Mathumai Ambal

Lord Nadarajar

Lord Nadarajar

"Somaskanda Moortham", means the Sivan family together

The chief priest of the temple Sivasri. Sivakugarajah Kurukkal explains about the old and new statues.

The old statues of Lord Ganesh, Lord Thirukoneswarar and Goddess Mathumai Ambal in the "Vasantha Mandapam"

The new statues of Lord Thirukoneswarar and Goddess Mathumai Ambal.

The new statues of Lord Kumaran, and his two wives Goddess Valli and Theivayanai.

"Kalanchi" and "Kaal Thattam"

Lord Sivalingam in "Moolasthanam" is dressed in pure silver on Friday.

The Lord Sivalingam in "Moolasthanam" is dressed in pure silver on Friday.

The "Pancharaththi" is being offered to the Lord Sivalingam in the "Moolasthanam", by the temple chief priest Sivasri. Sivakugarajah Kurukkkal.

The "Pancharaththi" is being offered to the Goddess Mathumai Ambal , by the temple chief priest Sivasri. Sivakugarajah Kurukkkal.

Floral pooja is being perfomed to the "Somaskanda Mootrham" ,by the chief priest of the temple Sivasri. Sivakugarajah Kurukkal.

"Katpoora Neeranjali" to the "Somaskanda Moortham"

The "Pancharaththi" is being offered to the "Somaskanda Moortham", by the temple chief priest Sivasri. Sivakugarajah Kurukkkal.

The devotees worship the "Pancharaththi", which is lit on camphor

The "Pancharaththi" is lit on camphor

The devotees worship the Lord Nadarajar

Devotees in the temple

Fruits to be offered to the Lord

The flowers to be offered to the Lord

A devotee is worshipping

A devotee is worshipping

"Attanga Namaskaram"- the men have to lye down on the floor and worship, while eight parts of the body should touch the floor. Whereas the women have to lye down on the floor and worship, while five parts of the body should touch the floor.

An "Archchanai" was performed on behalf of the devotees

"Thiruneeru", "Santhanam" and "Kunkumam"

"Thiruneeru", "Theertham", "Santhanam" and "Kunkumam"

Blessed thread being tied on the wrist of a devotee

Blessed thread being tied on the wrist of a female devotee

Devotees in the temple

Devotees in the temple

Devotees in the temple

A view of the "Moolasthanam", Main Deity

The "Maha Nanthi" and the "Kodimaram"

The "Kodimaram", where the flag is hoisted during the annual festival of the temple.

The "Kodimaram", where the flag is hoisted during the annual festival of the temple.

"Palipeedam"

Thirugnanasampanthamoorthy Nayanar, Thirunavukarasa Nayanar, Sunatharamoorthy Nayanar and Manikkavasaga Suwamigal

"Sekkizhar"

"Thirumuraikal"- "Thevaram", "Thiruvasagam" and "Thirupugazh"

Historians believe Ravanan worshipped Thirukoneswaram

Lord Ganesh on the outside compound

Lord Kumaran on outside compound

Lord Ganesh on the outer wall of the main temple

Lord Thatchanamoorthy on the outer wall of the main temple

Lord Linkotpavar on the outer wall of the main temple

Lord Pramma on the outer wall of the main temple

Goddess Thurga on the outer wall of the main temple

The Sun

The Moon

Lord Nagathambiran

Lord Sandeswarar

"Navakiraganagal"

Historians believe Raman worshipped Thirukoneswaram

The main "Kopuram" of Thirukoneswaram, along with the bell

The other side of the "Kopuram" of Thirukoneswaram

The main "Kopuram" of Thirukoneswaram

A part of "Navagraga" nine planets' shrine

A part of "Kopuram " of Tirukoneswaram

A view of Thirukonesawaram

Ravanesawarar mandapam being built

These sacred stones will be installed on Swamy rock

Sivasri. Sivakugarajah Kurukkal explains, where the earlier temple was situated.

This is where the earlier Thirukoneswaram temple was situated The old temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1624 on Tamil New Year in April. And this new temple was built fifty years ago. And daily pooja is performed, where the old temple used to be. Thirukoneswaram is situated in the direction of Rameswaram, accoring to Thirukoneswaram chief priest Sivasri, Sivakugarajah Kurukkal

This is where the earlier Thirukoneswaram temple was situated

A pillar of "Ayiram Kaal Mandapam", (A Thousand pillared Chamber) belonging to "Pallavar" era.

Arunagirinathars Thirupugazh on Thirukoneswaram

"Kalvettu" belonging to "Pandiyan" era

Thirugnanasampanthar's Thevaram

Thirugnanasampanthar's Thevaram

Thirunavukarasar's Thevaram

Baby cots tied on a tree, by the couple who made vows

Crows on veppa maram on Swamy Malai

Male crow, kakam on Swamy malai

Monkeys on Swamy rock

View from swamy rock

View from swamy rock

Devotees before entering the temple

Seventy six years old Murugaiah Velupillai, from Yatinuwara, Kandy sells coconut, camphor and incense to the devotees of Thirukoneswaram for the past eight years. He says that his daily income is rupees 100/= or more, depending on the number of devotees visit the temple.

Sixty eight years old Alexander Fernando met with a road accident in 1978. And he has been living here for the last three years.

Forty five years old T.A.Gunathilaka from Serunuwara says that, he has been doing business for five years.

Devotees shopping

The Palmyrah fruit- "Nungu" is sold for rupees 20/=

The Palmyrah fruit- "Nungu" is sold for rupees 20/=

Conch for sale

Conch for sale

"Thearmutty". Temple chariot's shelter The new "Thear"- Chariot was built by the sculptors from Jaffna, after the Portugese destroyed the old temple in 1624. And the first chariot festival took place in April 2003, after 1624.

The "Nanthi" flag symbolises the religion Hinduism. This "Nanthi" flag was installed on the auspicious day of "Thaipoosam" in January 2005