Splendour of Munneswaram Hindu Temple | Sunday Observer

Splendour of Munneswaram Hindu Temple

2 July, 2023

Multi-religious and multi-cultural reality we experience in our country add colour and variety to our society. That variety, which is the antithesis of religious or cultural hegemony, is brought about by the four major religions we, Sri Lankans, are blessed with - Buddhism, Catholicism or Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Every month, we enjoy with reverence a culturally rich, traditionally important treat thanks to various religious festivals and practices.

Sri Munneswaram Devasthanam, a historically significant Hindu religious place of worship which speaks volumes about cultural and religious diversity, is almost two kilometres away from the city of Chilaw, on the Chilaw- Kurunegala main road.

King Rama from the famous Hindu epic Ramayanaya is said to be associated with the temple which Hindus believe dates back to 1000 BC. However, there is no archaeological evidence to support that belief, but it is clear that the origin of the temple belongs to a remote past.

Pancha Ishwara Hindu Kovils

The Munneswaram Hindu Kovil is known as one of the sacred Pancha Ishwara Hindu Kovils. They are Munneswaram Temple, Koneswaram Temple (Trincomalee), Naguleswaram Temple (Kirimalai), Thiruthikeswaram Temple (Mannar), Rameswaram Temple (India). All these temples are dedicated to Ishwara in the form of God Shiva. In Tamil, Mun means a long time ago and “Eswaram” means Shiva temple and hence the name Munneswaram, an ancient Shiva temple, by extension, the first Shiva temple to be built in Sri Lanka.

The presiding deity Shiva is not a statue here but has been installed in the form of Lingam (Shiva Linga) in the sanctum sanctorum, which is built in granite stone keeping to the traditional Tamil art of Kovil building. The roof of the garbhagriha also made of granite is supported by giant granite columns on which beautiful designs are engraved. The ancient architectural marvels, especially in the Kovil hold whoever enters the sacred inner chambers spellbound.

The awe-inspiring temple complex which stands majestically as a great monument in a picturesque environment includes five temples, the main complex of which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Three of them are dedicated to Lord Ganesha or Ganesh,  Goddess Kali, God Ayiyanayake and the last one is a Buddhist temple.

In front of the Kovil is a sacred Bo tree worshipped by devotees of every religion. An ancient square pond built with granite blocks is behind the Bo tree. About 30 feet away from the pond is the Munneswaram tank (Wewa), which covers over 80 hectares. The enchanting view of the Munneswaram lake intensifies the grandeur and beauty of the nearby sacred Munneswaram Hindu Temple.

During the Portuguese era, a tragic fate befell this historic Hindu temple. The Portuguese destroyed many statues among other things in the temple. They used this Hindu temple as a Catholic church for some time.

Pristine glory

However, in 1753, King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe rebuilt the historic temple vandalised by the Portuguese and brought it back to its pristine glory and grandeur. Sixty-four surrounding villages were also assigned to the temple.

King Parakramabahu VI of the Kotte Kingdom, having known about the miraculous power of the temple, visited and worshipped the temple in 1448 and donated lands to the Kovil by recording it in a copper plate inscription. The Kovil is also mentioned in the Kokila Sandesaya which was written during his reign.

There are two main religious festivals celebrated at the temple. They are Navaratri and Maha Shivarathri celebrations attended mainly by Hindus. A four-week festival known as the Munneswaram Annual Festival is also held in August and September with the participation of pilgrims of all faiths from all parts of the country. Ninety percent of the devotees who worship the Munneswaram temple are Buddhists

The Sri Munneswaram Hindu Kovil, which has been an embodiment of religious harmony for centuries, will continue to be a centre for theology, spirituality and mental health for thousands of Hindus and other worshippers from different faiths and different walks of life.

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