Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic society. The country is dotted with various religious places that belong to Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians. Sri Thirukoneswaram Kovil, located in Trincomalee, is a Hindu religious place venerated by the Hindu community in Sri Lanka, although the place is visited by other religious communities as well.
Sri Thirukoneswaram Kovil
Located 17 minutes from Trinco Blu by Cinnamon and sitting on a rock, the temple is bounded by the sea on three sides. The temple has a history going back to 1580 BC. It is believed that this was once a massive temple complex like the ancient city of Madurai. Sri Thirukoneswaram Kovil is dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. The temple thrived during Chola Empire, Anuradhapura Empire, Jaffna Kingdom, and the Pandyan Kingdom; however, in the 17th century, the Portuguese laid destruction to the temple, and the temple lost most of its valuable artefacts. During later periods, Dutch and British, the temple was rebuilt, and many of the lost artefacts were recovered.
At present
Today, the temple is one of the most visited places of worship in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Hindus hold the temple in the highest regard, and other communities have great respect for the temple too. The temple also brings amazing views of the area, which is one reason that it has become one of the religious highlights of Sri Lanka.
Getting here
Getting here from resorts in Trincomalee is quite easy; all you have to do is speak to your hotel’s reception for information, or you can get them to arrange transport for you. If you are travelling from Colombo, you can take the train to Trincomalee; the train ride is exciting and fun, but it takes about 6 to 7 hours to get to your destination. There are also overnight buses available. However, the best option for a tourist is to sign up for a tailormade tour.
