History:

, The Veerapathirar temple is located on an island in the Jaffna District of Sri Lanka, and is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built in the 7th Century by the Pandyan King Maravarman Kulasekaran and his son Prince Maravarman Sivanandan. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is located on the premises of a former Dutch fort. Thousands of devotees make their way to the temple during the Tamil festivals of Thiruvathirai, Chariot Festival, and Pongal. The temple is built in the Dravidian style, with intricate stone carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses. It has also been declared a protected monument by the Archaeology Department of Sri Lanka. As per the legend preserved by the temple custodians, the temple was said to be built on top of Lord Varathungar's temple, who is believed to have been the guardian deity of the island. The main shrine enshrines a Nandi, a bull that serves as the mount of Lord Shiva, along with carvings of Seetha and Tondaradippodiazhvar, the other guardians of Lord Shiva. Inside the temple, devotees perform a puja or offering of flowers, milk, and incense in the name of Lord Shiva, which is believed to bring prosperity and peace of mind to the devotee. It is one of the best temple in SriLanka which you must visit.

Facts:

The Veerapathirar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Pungudutivu, Sri Lanka. It is located on an island in the Jaffna Lagoon, about 14 miles off the mainland. The temple has a long history and is regarded as one of the most sacred shrines in the Tamil community. It is believed to have been built by the famous Tamil Chola king in the twelfth century and is dedicated to Lord Veerapathirar. Today, it is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus and other devotees who wish to seek the blessings of the Lord. The temple is known for its ornate architecture and is replete with colorful sculptures and intricate carvings. This temple is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and is said to be the only temple in Sri Lanka to have a large statue of Lord Veerapathirar in the centre of the compound. The highlight of the temple is the annual festival held here during the Tamil holy month of Maasi (February-March). Thousands of devotees from all over the island gather here to seek the blessings of the Lord and participate in various rituals and cultural celebrations. 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 Veerapathirar Temple, located in the island of Pungudutivu, Sri Lanka, follows the centuries-old tradition of venerating Veerapathirar, the Lord of Protection of the Sea. The tradition involves the daily morning and evening prayers to the lord and a ceremonial daily bath-or ablution-in the sacred temple pool. The temple also holds several annual religious festivals, which include offerings of flowers and food, as well as the offering of prayers and poojas. On festival days, devotees flock to the temple to offer their prayers and pay their respects to Veerapathirar. Additionally, there are special days during which sacred music is recited and hymns devoted to the Lord are performed. This most visited temple in SriLanka

Opening Timing:

The normal opening hours of the Veerapathirar Temple in Pungudutivu, Sri Lanka is 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and then again 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with the exception of on important festival days. top temples in SriLanka

How to reach:

Veerapathirar Temple, Pungudutivu can be reached by car or bus as there are decent roads connecting nearby major cities. The nearest major city to Veerapathirar Temple, Pungudutivu is Jaffna, which can be reached by taking the A9 road. Once you reach Jaffna, you can take the A14 road that leads to Pungudutivu. From there you can reach the temple by taking the local roads and it will take approximately an hour to reach the temple by car. If you plan on taking a bus, there are direct buses available from certain cities to Pungudutivu. You can search for available bus routes in the region and then take the local buses from the bus stop near the temple to reach your destination. famous temples in SriLanka