Munneswaram temple (Tamil: முன்னேசுவரம் கோயில், Sinhala: මුන්නේශ්වරම් කෝවිල) is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of the ancient Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva in the region.
The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Shiva (Siva) is the most prestigious and biggest, and is popular amongst Hindus. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Aiyanar and Kali. The Kali temple is also popular with Buddhists, who frequent the complex. Post-19th century, most of the devotees of all temples in the complex belong to the majority Sinhala Buddhist ethnic group; the temples, excluding the Ayyanayake and the Buddhist temple, are administered by families belonging to the minority Hindu Tamils.
The temple is located in Munneswaram, a village with mixed Sinhala and Tamil population situated in the historic Demala Pattuva ("Tamil division") region in the Puttalam District. The main Shiva temple owns extensive property in the surrounding villages, ownership of which was affirmed when the region was part of the medieval Kotte Kingdom. The temple was destroyed twice by the Portuguese colonial officers, who handed over the properties to the Jesuits. Although the Jesuits built a Catholic chapel over the temple foundation, locals reconstructed the temple both times. Due to religious and demographic change after the late 18th century, most surrounding villages and towns are not directly associated with the temple administration and maintenance. However, the villages of Maradankulama and Udappu are associated with organizing the main temple festival.
The main festivals celebrated at the temple include Navarathri and Sivarathri. The former is a nine-day long festival in honour of the presiding Goddess, while the latter is an overnight observation in honour of Lord Shiva. In addition to these two Hindu festivals, the temple has a festival of its own, the Munneswaram festival, a four-week-long event attended by Hindus and Buddhists.
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Munneswaramtemple (Tamil: முன்னேசுவரம் கோயில், Sinhala: මුන්නේශ්වරම් කෝවිල) is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in...
Munneswaram may refer to the following topics related to Sri Lanka: Munneswaramtemple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva Munneswaram (village), where...
crabs, coconuts and Coreas. Tourists visit the well known Hindu temple located in Munneswaram, situated in the historic Demala Pattuva ("Tamil division")...
Naguleswaram temple in the North. Ketheeswaram temple in the Northwest. Koneswaram Temple in the East. Munneswaramtemple in the West. Tondeswaram in the South...
who had been a prolific benefactor of the Konesar temple. Kulakkottan visited the Munneswaramtemple on the west coast, before settling ancient Vanniars...
Nuwara Eliya, is believed to be the garden where Ravana confined Sita. MunneswaramTemple, attributed to Rama's construction, was established for worshipping...
Vikramsolishwaram temple near Kumbakonam built by Vikrama Chola (1118–35). The other images are at Darasuram and Kampahareshvarar temple, Thirubuvanam built...
of the Chola Kings. Temple shrine on the Koneswaram temple promontory extremity and the Ketheeswaram temple and Munneswaramtemple compounds contained...
Kandaswamy temple. Singai Pararasasegaram is credited with building the Sattanathar temple, the Vaikuntha Pillaiyar temple and the Veerakaliamman temple. He...
described as a temple servant and leather worker, who supplied straps for drums and gut-string for stringed instruments used in the Chidambaram temple, but he...
restored the Koneswaram temple at Trincomalee and the Kantalai tank after finding them in ruins. Kankan visited the Munneswaramtemple on the west coast of...
(like Munneswaramtemple, Koneswaram temple, Tennavaram temple, Ketheeswaram temple, Naguleswaram) are built in Dravidian architecture. The temple structure...
of the Chola Kings. Temple shrine on the Koneswaram temple promontory extremity and the Ketheeswaram temple and Munneswaramtemple compounds contained...
the time of Parakramabahu IV of Dambadeniya. He also rebuilt the Munneswaramtemple close to Chilaw. In 1761 King Kirti Sri Rajasinha attacked the Dutch...
was the restorer of the ruined Koneswaram temple and tank at Trincomalee in 438 CE, the Munneswaramtemple of the west coast, and as the royal who settled...
the time of Parakramabahu IV of Dambadeniya. He also rebuilt the Munneswaramtemple close to Chilaw. Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha (reigned 1782–1798) was a member...
Prabhakaran shot and killed the Mayor when he was visiting the Krishnan temple at Ponnalai. The LTTE was founded on 5 May 1976 as the successor to the...
restoration of the ruined Koneswaram temple and for building Kantale Dam at Trincomalee in 438 CE, and the Munneswaramtemple of the west coast. He is known...
was the restorer of the ruined Koneswaram temple and tank at Trincomalee in 438, the Munneswaramtemple of the west coast, and as the royal who settled...
damaged 175 properties before returning to their base. The Sivan Hindu temple on Thirugnasambandan Road also was attacked. One person was killed and several...
Centre and, in January 1998, detonated a truck bomb in Kandy, damaging the Temple of the Tooth, one of the holiest Buddhist shrines in the world. In response...
Madhu. Hindus have several temples with historic importance such as those at Ketheeswaram, Koneswaram, Naguleswaram, Munneswaram, Tondeswaram, and Nallur...
homes and killed at random. Many business establishments and a local Hindu temple were also deliberately destroyed. On the night of June 1, according to many...
Western Province. It is situated few miles north of Chilaw city and Munneswaramtemple. It is a coastal village bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean...
Shri Rama Pir Mandir Temple was located in this neighborhood demolished by a builder. The temple was the biggest Tamil Hindu temple in Karachi. In addition...
century, a special coastal route by boat was functioning to the Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee and Thirukkovil Sithira Velayutha Swami Kovil in Batticaloa...
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