Koneswaram Temple, Sri Lanka - कोनेस्वरम मंदिर, श्रीलंका

Koneshwaram Temple is an ancient Hindu Shiva temple located in Sri Lanka. The Koneswaram Temple is a religious pilgrimage site, and one of the five \"Panch Iswarams\" (abodes of Shiva) that were built in the coastal regions of Sri Lanka to honor the supreme deity of Hinduism. It is on top of Konesar Malai (Swami Rock) on the dramatic Gokarna Bay. The temple is situated on a high rocky hill surrounded on three sides by the sea.

Details of Koneswaram Temple:
The deities worshiped are: Konanatha Swamy (Shiva) and Mathumai (Parvati). The main temple of Koneswaram, on the summit of a rocky promontory, was built with hard black granite (karungal), skillfully carved with classical temple bas relief sculptures by Indian temple architects and sculptors. One of its best features was its thousand-pillared hall which was used to host religious and cultural events.The hall was so famous that the Portuguese who visited the temple called it the Temple of a Thousand Pillars.

Koneshwaram temple and Shakti Peeth of Shankari Devi. Orderly and peaceful, with ample space to pray peacefully. Its Pallava, Chola, Pandian and Jaffna designs reflect a continuous Tamil Shaivite influence in the Vannimai region from the classical period. The temple city is at par with the ancient city of Madurai in India.

Meaning of Koneswaram Temple:
Koneswaram is named after the main deity of the temple, the Hindu god Shiva. Shiva, also called Ishwar or Ishvarar, rules the mountain of the sacred Konam (Thirukonmalai (Tamil): Thiru - holy; Konam- name; Malai - mountain) hence named Thirukoneshwara (Thiru-Kona-Iswara) Is. The name 'Konam' is believed to have come from the old Tamil word 'peak'.

Another name given to the temple is 'Dakshina Kailayam'; A Sanskrit name which means 'Mountain of Kailash of the South'. Some also call it 'Aathi Koneswaram', where 'Aathi' is the Tamil word for ancient.

Ancient Story Behind Koneswaram Temple:
The legend states that King Ravana, along with his mother, was a devotee of Koneswaram. Ravana is believed to have built the Kanniya hot springs as part of Thirukoneshwaram for his mother's last rites. King Ravana was a great emperor of Sri Lanka who is believed to have lived 5000 years ago. If this legend is true, it would indicate that the temple was alive and thriving for more than 5000 years.

The city was built as a huge temple town with the Thirukoneshwaram temple at its centre. There were separate temples and shrines for deities such as Ganesha, Padarkali, Vishnu/Thirumal, Shakti, Surya Surya, Murukan and King Ravana.

A strict dress code is followed for both men (shorts, sleeveless tees) and women (short dresses, sleeveless tops etc.) to enter the temple. If you are a Hindu or see the religious value of this complex, then definitely include it in your visits.