of RamayanaRelations with Sri Lanka are famous throughout India. The connection of Tevaram (a collection of devotional hymns of Shiva) with that country is not so well known. Of the 275 Paddle Petra Sthalams consecrated in Tevaram, the collective names of the works of three – Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar – two are in Sri Lanka. Traveling to these places with those verses in hand gives a pleasurable experience of devotion and history.
Given that Sri Lanka was and is a Buddhist stronghold, it is not surprising that Hindu temples were built along the perimeter, practically hugging the coast. Five temples dedicated to Shiva are especially sacred, and these Pancha Ishwarams, as they are referred to, seem to form a protective chain around the island. Starting from the north and moving in a clockwise direction, we have Naguleshwaram in Jaffna, Koneswaram in Trincomalee in the north east, Thondeswaram in the south, Munneshwaram in the west and Kethishwaram in Mannar in the north west. The second and fifth of these pedestals are Petra Stalum.
Rock in Koneswaram Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Both temples have a shared history through mythological origins, Tevaram Bhajans, expansion by the Cholas and later kings of Sri Lanka, destruction by the Portuguese in the 17th century and eventual reconstruction under the leadership of Shaiva Agama scholar Arumuga Navalar in the 19th century. Recent history has also not been kind to the temples, they were affected by civil war. They are now enjoying a revival, as reflected in the reconstruction and worship by large crowds of disciplined devotees.
Koneswaram is more picturesque, as it is situated on a dramatic promontory overlooking the sea. Once known as Dakshina Kailasam and now famous for its lost thousand-pillared hall, it is related to the many Gokarnas in India where Shiva was worshiped by a cow carrying water in its ear for anointment. Sambandar in his Tevaram hymns, of which one stanza is missing, states that the sea deposits fragrant woods, gold, shells and precious stones on the shores of this Konamalai, and describes the mighty waves of the sea and the moisture-laden air. Most importantly he mentions Sunai or natural spring. The Papanasam waterfall here is very sacred.
Ketheeswaram Temple in Mannar is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Sri Lanka is called the Emerald Isle and greenery is the first aspect that comes to your mind when you are there. Sambandar also seems to have taken note of this, for he says, in Koneswaram, the Lord is pleased with the trees of Malli, Madhavi, Vengai, Punnai, Serunthi, Champakam and Mullai. Standing on a dramatic cliff from where the water falls into the sea, you feel thrilled that you are where Sambandar was. You see the same waves crashing against the rock and breathe air that has the scent of the ocean, as he described.
Naguleshwaram Temple in Keerimalai Photo Credit: Getty Images
It is well known that Kathirakam in Sri Lanka received Tiruppugazh verses from Arunagirinathar. He seems to have visited Koneswaram also. set, beginning with Vilaiku Maini, The six-tiered gopuram at Tirukkonmalai is dedicated to Muruga. There are no other details but it is possible that such a tower once stood here.
Although completely renovated in recent times, Koneswaram has a connection to its ancient past. The Somaskanda Icon belonging to the Chola period was discovered and rescued in the sea. Now it has started being worshipped. Most of the underwater discoveries were made possible thanks to science fiction author Sir Arthur C. Clarke, an avid deep sea diver.
Sambandar’s visit to Konamalai
Sambandar must have come by sea from the mainland to Konamalai. Another busy port was Mahathitta on the north-west coast in Mannar. This was the place where the great seafaring nations of ancient times came to trade. The ancient Shiva temple here was expanded by the Cholas. port was called in tamil Mathottam, And Sundarar sings it with this name. While this occurs in eight of the 10 verses, the significance in them is that the Palali River or Pali Aru flows through Mullathivu and Mannar to reach the Palk Gulf. In many of his verses, Sundarar describes the natural beauty of the place – the waves, the bees flying among the flowers and the mango trees laden with fruits. He mentions a harbor anchored with ships, as it would have been in his time in the eighth century.
Munneshwaram Temple is considered to be the oldest Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Although not as dramatic as Konamalai, Kethishwaram is also attractive. In recent years the Government of India has helped in the restoration of this temple. A notable feature, along the perimeter, is the inclusion of various symbolic representations of Shiva.
The Tevaram and Tiruppugazh verses reinforce the long association between the two countries in spiritual matters. The repeated revival of the shrines establishes the triumph of faith in the face of great tribulation.
published – October 22, 2025 05:19 PM IST