History:

is an ancient Shiva Temple, located in the Kayts Island of Jaffna District in Sri Lanka. The temple is believed to have been constructed during the time of Chola dynasty between 850 and 1250. The main deity of the temple is Kanapattheeswarar, a form of Shiva. It is a very popular temple among locals and devotees from other parts of the island. Devotees visit the temple for its numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year. A large temple tank and an ancient banyan tree also add to the beauty of the place. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

Kanapatheeswaram Sivan Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kayts, Sri Lanka. This temple is centuries old and is considered one of the few ancient Hindu temples in the island. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati. The temple is said to have been built in the 5th century when the island of Sri Lanka was ruled by Chola kings. It is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus in the country and is visited by devotees during special occasions like Magha Shukla and Thaipusam. The temple houses a number of rituals and festivals throughout the year. It is believed that worshipping at the temple brings good luck. The main features of the temple are a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, a Nandi statue, a Shiva Lingam, an ancient shrine with carvings of gods and goddesses and a Veerashaiva shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is surrounded by lush greenery and a large pond, which adds to its serene and peaceful ambiance. It is one of the most important cultural heritage sites of Sri Lanka. The annual chariot festival is held here and attracts thousands of devotees from all over the island. 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:

The Kanapatheeswaram Sivan Temple is an important Hindu shrine in Kayts in Sri Lanka. The temple is renowned for its long-standing tradition of offering traditional Hindu puja services. Devotees come to the temple to offer prayers to Sivan, the supreme Lord of the Universe. The temple follows the Agama Sastra-based South Indian and Sri Lankan style of worship, as prescribed by the ancient Hindu scriptures. The temple priests offer poojas and homams to Lord Sivan every day. The topmost puja of the temple is to perform Aradhana (worship) and Abhishek (bathing) of Sri Kanapatheeswaram Sivan with the five sacred wats. This practice is believed to have been carried out since the 12th century. Devotees who come to the temple are expected to bring flowers, fruits, and coconuts as offerings to Lord Sivan. After the puja, offerings are distributed among devotees. The temple priests take part in the preparation of Naivedyam (food offerings) on special occasions. On certain days, special aartis (rituals of worship) and prasadam (food offerings) are also offered to Lord Sivan. The main festivals celebrated at the Kanapatheeswaram Sivan Temple are Shivarathri, Vaikunta Ekadesi, and Thaipusam. During the festivals, the temple is embellished with grand decorations and processions. Thousands of devotees come from all over Sri Lanka to offer their prayers and participate in the festivities. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The Kanapatheeswaram Sivan temple in Kayts, Sri Lanka is open daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

1. By Air: The nearest airport is Jaffna Airport, which is located approximately 40 km from the temple. There are quite a few domestic flights connecting the cities of Colombo and Jaffna. Once at the airport, tourists can avail a taxi or a bus to reach Kanapatheeswaram Sivan Temple, Kayts. 2. By Road: This temple is well-connected by road as well. Tourists can avail a direct bus from Colombo to Kayts and furthermore use other local transportation such as tuk-tuks and rickshaws to reach the temple. 3. By Train: The closest railway station is at Kayts, which is about 12 km away from the temple. Tourists can avail a train from Colombo to Kayts or Jaffna and reach the destination by hiring a tuk-tuk or a taxi. famous temples in SriLanka