History:

Sivan Temple, Kayts In SriLanka is a Hindu shrine located in Kayts, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sivan, the Hindu deity. According to the legend, the temple was constructed in the 7th century AD, by a local ruler of the Jaffna region. It is believed that the temple was built around the time when the region was under the rule of the Pandyan Empire. The temple is made up of several small shrines and is of a typical South Indian style. It consists of a gopuram (lit. gateway), mandapam (altar), sathrum (priest’s chamber), kutiram (pavilion) and dharapadai (deity slabs). There are also an array of statues and sculptures which depict various Hindu gods and goddesses, such as Ganesh, Brahma, Vishnu, Lakshmi and Mariamman. The temple is visited by Hindu devotees from all over the island, especially during its festivals. On the second day of the Hindu festival of Tamil New Year, thousands of people flock to the temple to take part in the festivities and celebrate the start of the year. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Sivan Temple in Kayts, Sri Lanka is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the country. It is located on the former Dutch fort island of Kayts, off Jaffna in the Northern Province. 2. The Sivan Temple was built in the 12th century in the reign of the Chola Dynasty and was used as a fortress and place of worship during the days of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka. 3. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also houses several smaller shrines dedicated to different Hindu deities. 4. The main temple structure is made up of two main towers, both of which stand around 11-metres tall, and are covered with intricate sculptures and icons depicting various Hindu and Buddhist deities. 5. The temple also has several smaller shrines in the area, and a mandapam, which is used for religious ceremonies and celebrations. 6. The Sivan Temple is one of the few temples in the region that remain relatively unscathed by the civil war that took place in Sri Lanka in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 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 worship method of Sivan Temple, Kayts is one of ancient and traditional temple worship. Devotees offer their prayers to Lord Sivan chanting the names of the deities such as Lord Ganapathi, Lord Karthikeyan and Lord Muruga. Lighting lamps and oil lamps is an important part of temple worship. Devotees also bring flowers and coconuts to offer at Lord Sivan’s altar. Other offerings such as fruits, milk, honey, ghee, incense, flowers and ghee wicks are also offered. Chanting mantras such as Nandi Vritham, Varuga Panchaksharam and Engal Nama Siva are an integral part of worship. Furthermore, devotees offer a Naivedyam to the Lord, which may include a variety of dishes such as fruits, sweets, appam, sambar, payasam, curd and ghee. A special feature of Sivan Temple, Kayts is the hoisting of the Divine flag with Vedic chants and rituals. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The temple is generally open from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. The temple is closed on Poya Days (full moon days). top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

The easiest way to reach Sivan Temple, Kayts in Sri Lanka is by bus. There are frequent buses available that run between the cities of Colombo and Jaffna. From Jaffna, catch a bus or a tuk-tuk to Kilinochchi and then a bus or tuk-tuk to Kayts. The temple is located about 3 km from the town. famous temples in SriLanka