History:

is one of the oldest and most important Hindu temple in the country. Located in Jaffna District of Northern Province, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha or Sri Muthu Vinayagar, the elephant-headed form of Lord Shiva. According to ancient beliefs, Sri Muthu Vinayagar Temple is the first in the world to be constructed in Ganesha's name. It is believed that in ancient times, when Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati were performing a puja, a demon by the name of Jambavan was interfering in the ritual. In order to stop the demon, Lord Shiva sent his son Ganesha to protect them and defeat the demon. When Ganesha succeeded in his mission and destroyed the demon, Lord Shiva was so pleased that he decided to install a temple in Ganesha's name in Jaffna. Since then, the temple has grown in popularity and has become a site of pilgrimage for many Hindus. The temple features various idols and sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The temple also houses a museum displaying amazing artifacts and antiques. Thousands of devotees come to this temple each year to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Lord Ganesha. The temple is open for devotees from 6 am to 6 pm daily. Devotees also perform special pujas during special occasions. The temple is visited by people from all over Sri Lanka and also from other countries. The Ariyalai Sri Muthu Vinayagar temple is a historic shrine and a popular pilgrimage center. This temple is one of the most visited Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Sri Muthu Vinayagar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Ariyalai, Sri Lanka. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, also known as Vinayagar or Pillaiyar. 2. The temple is believed to have been built in the early nineteenth century CE, by a wealthy businessman of the same name. 3. The temple was greatly revered by the local population, who made frequent pilgrimages to it for religious ceremonies and celebrations. 4. The temple is known for its beautiful architectural designs, which reflect a mix of traditional Sinhalese and Dravidian architecture. 5. Every year a huge festival is held to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha, known as the Vinayaga Chaturthi. People come from far and wide to take part in the festivities, which include special prayers and offerings, and decorations. 6. The temple is also home to several other shrines dedicated to different gods and goddesses, including Shiva, Siva Nandhi, and Subramanian. 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 Sri Muthu Vinayagar Temple, Ariyalai in Sri Lanka follows Saivite-Hindu traditions. Devotees typically begin their worship with offering prayers, including floral offerings, and then proceed to offering food before engaging in other forms of devotion (e.g., singing devotional songs, circumambulating Lord Gan patham, offering ghee lamps, lighting camphor and then finally offering water from a holy source). All of these acts of devotion, along with special hymns and worship services held on festival days, combine to create a loving atmosphere in this temple. Visitors often leave the temple with a sense of joy and peace. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The temple is open from 8am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 8pm daily. top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

Sri Muthu Vinayagar Temple can be reached via a short 3 km taxi ride from Jaffna Town. It is located in Ariyalai, a village in the district of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Alternatively, the temple can also be reached by local bus services available from Jaffna or several towns in the region. famous temples in SriLanka