History:

is one of the ancient and most sacred Hindu temples of Sri Lanka. Located in the Mannar district, the temple is thought to have been built during the second century BC by kings from the Pallava Dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is of great religious significance to both Sri Lankan and Indian Hindus. It is one of five Pancha Ishwarams (five Shiva temples) of Sri Lanka, and is believed to have been destroyed by the Portuguese during their colonization of the region in the 16th century. It was then rebuilt by Hindus in the 18th century, and the temple continues to stand today as a reminder of the Hindu heritage of Sri Lanka. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

1.The Ketheeswaram (Ketheshwaram) temple is located about 5km from Trincomalee town in Eastern Sri Lanka. 2.The temple complex was built in the 16th century by the Nayakkar rulers of Tamil Nadu. 3.The Ketheeswaram temple is dedicated to Shiva, the god of destruction in Hinduism. 4.The temple is built in a grand style with several beautiful structures and courtyards. 5.The temple complex houses a series of shrines with each devoted to different gods and goddesses. 6.The temple is believed to have been built by King Ravana, the legendary ruler of Lanka. 7. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees, drawing crowds from across India. 8.The Ketheeswaram temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture. 9.The temple has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 10.The main shrine of the temple is home to a 50 feet tall tower featuring multi-leveled statues of Lord Shiva. 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:

Ketheeswaram Temple, located in Mathottam Sri Lanka, is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus in the country. The form of worship in the temple is in accordance with the rituals of Shaiva Agamas, which is the ancient source of doctrinal authority for Hindus. Devotees can perform poojas (ritual offerings), abhishekas (ritual bath), pathabishekas (rites that invoke power into an idol or symbol), archana (offering of flowers, rice, and coins), homams (fire rituals), and other religious offerings to the deity. Devotees also offer incense, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deity as part of their worship. Devotees may also receive prasadam (blessings in the form of rice and sweets) from the priests at the end of the worship session. During special occasions such as festivals, devotees may also attend special prayers and religious ceremonies at the temple. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The Ketheeswaram Temple in Mathottam, Sri Lanka, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

The Ketheeswaram Temple is located near Mannar in Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is located at a distance of 150 Km from Colombo City and located between Mannar Island and Talaimannar. One can reach the temple by taking a bus from the Colombo bus station or taking taxi or auto-rickshaw. The roads are good and the route is scenic. It’s a 6-7 hour journey if you are travelling by vehicle. Alternatively, one can also take a flight from Colombo to Palk Strait. From the Palk Strait airport, taxis and auto-rickshaws are available to reach the temple. The journey takes only 1-2 hours. famous temples in SriLanka