SRI MUNNESWARAM DEVASTHANAM

The Munneswaram temple is dedicated to Shiva. This important Hindu place of worship boasts fine remains dating back to the ^14th century, and is well worth a visit for its mysterious atmosphere. Believed to have existed since the year 1000, the temple brings together the region's Hindu minority. The complex actually houses 5 separate temples, earning it the title of Pancha Ishwaram(panch meaning 5 in Hindi). The main temple, the largest, is dedicated to Shiva, while the others are dedicated to Ganesh (the elephant god), Aiyyanar (the guardian god of the village) and Kali (the goddess of destruction). The fifth temple is a Buddhist temple.

Different myths exist among the communities. According to Tamil Hindu legend, the temple is located where King Rama of Ayodhya (India), the hero of the Râmâyana epic, prayed to Shiva after his battle with the demon king Ravana of Lanka. According to Sinhalese myths, the deity Kali landed in the town of Chilaw from India, before taking up residence in the temple of Munneswaram. Since then, the place has been associated with witchcraft in the popular consciousness.

The temple was destroyed twice by the Portuguese colonists, who donated the site to the Jesuits. They built a chapel on the temple's foundations. But each time, the faithful rebuilt the temple.

Every year, between August and September, the Munneswaram Festival is held here for 4 weeks, bringing together thousands of Hindu and Buddhist devotees.