Thiruketheeswaram Temple
திருக்கேதீச்சரம்
One of Sri Lanka’s five great Shiva temples, a thousand-year-old shrine near the old port of Mantai. Its tall, colourful gateway tower is a landmark of Mannar.
Thiruketheeswaram Temple lies near Mantai, the old port on the island side of Mannar Bridge. It is one of Sri Lanka’s “Five Great Shiva Temples,” praised in the Tamil scripture Thevaram, and its history stretches back more than a thousand years. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century and rebuilt after the 19th century. It was damaged again during the civil war, and a large-scale restoration has recently been completed. The newly built, brightly painted gopuram (gateway tower) is tall and eye-catching. Beside the temple, the Palavi Theertham tank is where devotees bathe. Pilgrims gather in large numbers for the Maha Shivaratri festival every year in February–March. Visitors must remove their shoes, men are usually required to remove their shirts, and modest dress is essential. Several pujas (rituals) are held each day. The temple is about 10 km from Mannar town.
Opening hours
Approx. 05:00–12:00 and 16:00–20:00 (per the temple)
Nearby sights
- Mannar Baobab Tree
- Mannar Fort
- Vankalai Sanctuary
- St. Sebastian's Cathedral, Mannar
- Giant's Tank
- Doric Bungalow, Arippu
- Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
- Talaimannar Pier & Lighthouse