History:

: This ancient Temple is believed to be 2062 years old and was built by a Pandyan King and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that this temple was built some time during the reign of King Elara who ruled the island during the 2nd century BC or the first century AD. This temple is widely known and worshipped by the Pandyan community of Sri Lanka. This temple has become one of the most important centres of Pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. The temple has been accorded the ‘Sacred Place of Shiva’ status by the Government of Sri Lanka in recognition of its antiquity and historical significance. As per ancient tales, this temple was also used by Murugan (the son of Lord Shiva) for his worship of Lord Shiva. It is believed that, during one of these visits of Lord Murugan, he left a sacred stone, known as the ‘Vannar Pecadorinthilum Viduthalai’, at this temple, which is believed to bring good luck and protection to devotees. The architecture of this temple is unique compared to other temples of the same period. It is a mixture of Dravidian and Pallava styles. The temple walls have intricate carved designs of pilasters, motifs and figurines. In addition to the main deity, there are a few other shrines dedicated to other gods such as Kantakari Amman (an incarnation of Kali Amman), Kodi Amman, Murugan, Viswanathan and Veeran. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Vannarpannai Vaitheeswaran Temple is a Hindu temple located in Vannarpannai, the northernmost village in Sri Lanka. 2. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vaitheeswaran. 3. The temple is believed to be over 300 years old, and is one of the important temples in the Jaffna region. 4. The temple is famous for its religious festivals and ceremonies, which attract thousands of devotees from across the country. 5. The temple is also known for its teak wood carvings and the five concentric cloisters enclosing the inner sanctum. 6. The temple offers a variety of religious services such as puja (prayers), homa (fire rituals) andarchana (chanting sacred mantras). 7. The annual Maha Kumbabhishekam festival is celebrated to commemorate the consecration of the temple, which takes place every December. 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 practiced in Vannarpannai Vaitheeswaran Temple is derived from the Hindu tradition. Worship to the presiding deity is performed by offering prayers, reciting Vedic mantras and/or stotras, performing homam (fire ritual), and offering flowers, fruits, and other items. Additionally, devotees can participate in a special ritual conducted in the temple called "Annabhishekam," which involves offering cooked food to the deity. The temple also follows a unique custom of offering devotees to take a seven day holy bath in the sacred tank Kudamurutti as a form of offering to the temple deity. This ritual is believed to bring special blessings and prosperity. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The temple is open every day from 5am-10am and 4pm-8pm. top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

The Vannarpannai Vaitheeswaran Temple is located in the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. The temple is located about 14 km (9 miles) from Mannar town. The closest airport to Mannar town is the Jaffna International Airport, which is about 140 km (87 miles) away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to reach the temple. If you are travelling by bus, you can take a bus from Colombo to Jaffna via Mannar. From Mannar, you can take another bus or a local tuk-tuk to the temple. You can also travel to the Vannarpannai Vaitheeswaran Temple by train. If you are taking the train from Colombo, you must alight at the Thalaimannar station. From here you can take a tuk-tuk or bus to reach the temple. famous temples in SriLanka