History:

is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Lord Vairavar. It is believed that the temple was built around the 12th century by the Pandya Kings of South India. It has been a revered shrine of Saivism since then. There are many legends associated with the temple such as the finding of a wonder’s stone in Vairavar’s feet by the Pandya King, which led to the Pandya’s victory in battle and praised Lord Vairavar for his grace. Blessing gifted to the king. The temple is also said to have been blessed by Lord Shiva himself. The other legendary event associated with the temple is the curse of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Lord Ganesha cursed the Pandya King for mistreating his devotee and turned him into stone. The temple has also been mentioned in many ancient scriptures. A 101 verse Kanda Puranam was composed praising the greatness of Lord Vairavar at Ariyalai by Sundarar about 850 years ago. The temple is said to have 28 shrines with sculptures of various gods. The annual temple festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aadi (15th July- 15th August) and witness a large crowd of devotees. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Gnanavairavar Temple is a Hindu temple located in Ariyalai, Nallur, Sri Lanka. 2. The temple is dedicated to Gnanavairavar, a form of Lord Shiva. 3. The main shrine of the temple houses a 4 feet tall statue of Gnanavairavar. 4. The temple has been in existence since the 12th century CE. 5. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. 6. The main festival of the temple is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (mid January - mid February) and is known as Gnanavairavar Thiruvizha. 7. During the festival, devotees from all over the country visit the temple to seek spiritual blessings from Gnanavairavar. 8. The temple is managed by Thirukovil Pathakam, a board appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka. Here are some facts about the SriLanka temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in SriLanka

Worship Method:

Gnanavairavar temple in Ariyalai is an ancient religious site dedicated to Saivite worship. The temple follows a traditional style of Saivite worship with its elaborate array of offerings and rituals. Rituals performed at the temple include daily recitation of prayers, novenas and rituals during special occasions such as Thaipusam, Navratri and Dasara. During festival days, devotees perform special rituals such as abishekam, appearance of the deity in processions and seeking his blessings. Devotees also offer special prayers and offerings to their respective deity. Special offerings are made to Lord Ganesh, known as the ‘Ganapati Pooja’, a special kind of puja performed with deep respect and devotion. Every Tuesday, devotees also take part in special rituals such as oil bath, annadanam and pujas to Lord Shiva. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The temple generally opens at 6 AM and closes at 7 PM every day. top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

The Gnanavairavar Temple in Ariyalai is located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and can easily be reached via the Sri Lanka Railway Network. The nearest station is the Ottamavadi Railway Station which is about 8 km away from the temple. From the station, visitors can hire local transport to reach the temple. Another option is to hire a car from the airport or from any main city in the province. famous temples in SriLanka