Koneswaram Temple, Sri Lanka

   During the colonial period between 1622 and 1624, the complex was destroyed by some religious attacks and there was a fort built using the complex' ruins at the site. In 1632, away from the city, a temple was built and it included some of its original idols. The temple has attracted international attention after the underwater and land ruins of the temple were discovered by Arthur C. Clarke and other archaeologists. However, some restorations have been made to preserve the remains as much as possible; the last one was in the 1950s. The locals now are taking the temple's revenue as a source of service and food.

   The exact time of Koneswaram’s construction has not been clear so far. However, historians have compared the ruins of the temple, literature on the shrine that was commonly scripted from the 5th to the 18th century in royal charters. They had the conclusion that it may be built before 400 B.C still with no confirmation. Archaeologists refer to its early phase to be in the form of a rock cave with a brick shrine with multiple layers. This style was common in constructions related to Tamil idols of a range of faiths during the Sangam period.  

   In the seventeenth century on the Tamil New Year’s Day on 14 April 1622, the Portuguese general Constantino de Sá de Noronha attacked the temple and this attack led to huge destruction to the temple complex. They took the main statues out to the town and the Portuguese soldiers got the chance during the festive period and started to steal the temple's contents. Some priests managed to escape and hide some of the temple's statutes in the nearby areas while the other priests and employees who did not make it were brutally massacred. In 1624, the last monument of the temple complex was destroyed as well.  

   During the Dutch–Portuguese Wars, the Portuguese used the temple stones and pillars to build a new fort which is known now by Fort Fredrick or Trincomalee Fort. It was like an enhancement to the coast against the other colonist European troops including the Dutch navy. They also expanded and built a church and a village near the fort. Moving to the 18th to 20th century, the fort was dominated by the Dutch and no ceremonies were allowed to take place on Swami Rock till the British entered the island. This is when also the pilgrims were allowed to worship Shiva again at the temple.  

   Accidently in 1950, the Urban Council of the area was digging for water in the nearby area to the temple and they miraculously found the gold and bronze statutes for Hindu gods and goddesses Shiva, Mathumai Ammal, Parvati, and Ganesha. These statutes that were buried by the fleeing priests during the Portuguese attack on the festival procession mentioned earlier. In another strange coincidence after the discovery, the remains and ruins of the temple were found underwater by the author Sir Arthur. C. Clarke and the photographer Mike Wilson on a scuba diving trip in the area. The discoveries have been greatly celebrated and they are gradually reinstalled to the site. The restoration continued till 1963 with reinstalling all the discovered pieces and nowadays the site is reborn and new additions are being constructed as well. The result is not matching the original temple, but it still can be inspiring for its visitors leaving them in awe.

   On your way to the Koneswaram Temple, you'll go through a long road that was originally used by pilgrims. Once you reach the entrance, you will find a huge old arch most probably goes back to the Portuguese time. Before there were some shrines that you could see along the road but now they are surrounded by barbed wire and high walls as it belongs to the Sri Lankan Army. On your visit to the temple, vehicles can maximum reach the summit of the promontory. After that point, you have to take off your shoes and start touring. You can spot near the entrance an ancient high sculpture carved into the rock and painted. This sculpture is for god Shiva, Parvati, Murukan, and Ganesha. Moving inside, after a few stairs, you see the temple at the end of a sandy courtyard.

    Inside the Temple, you will be captured by the beautiful bas reliefs that show different forms of the god Shiva and his vehicle the bull Nandi with other gods. Visitors always get fascinated with the awe-striking sight of the ancient Avayambu Lingam. This is in the main shrine room in the center point. You can see another shrine that belongs to Koneswarar’s consort Goddess Mathumai Ammal and both shrines are combined in the moolasthanam. The roof is also painted with beautiful colors. On your left, you will find an image on the wall that shows the original construction as it was 400 years ago and before its massive destruction.  

    Outside the temple, there are also other interesting things to see. There is the sacred tree of the temple, a Vilvam tree. The devotees hang wooden cradles all over that tree wishing for children.  After you take down the stairs facing the temple from the ocean, a giant golden idol of King Ravana stands in the worship of the Svayambu Lingam in the temple. The statue has hundreds of coins scattered by devotees at its feet and stands on a risible metal platform and. However, some places of the temples are only allowed to visit at the annual festival in April.

• Avoid visiting Sri Lanka during its 2 monsoon seasons (rainy seasons).
• You have to dress properly and cover your knees before entering the temple.  
• Try to wear socks in case the ground is hot.
• Enrich your day by adding one of these beautiful nearby places as well. You can add Sri Pathrakali Amman Temple, Fort Fredrick, and Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara to Koneswaram Temple.