Nallur Kandaswamy temple is a very popular Hindu temple located in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This temple was built in the 15th century by the Sanpaha Perumal. He was the adopted son of the king Bhuwanekabahu who was then ruling in the kingdom of Kotte. Sanpaha Perumal settled in Jaffna and made Jaffna his kingdom. He built many temples and buildings in Jaffna and developed it as a city. Finally he appointed Vijayabhahu as the king of Jaffna and returned back to his kingdom in Kotte.
The present structure of the temple was restored in the 17th century during the Dutch colonial. The entrance wall of the Nallur Kandaswamy temple is painted in red and white strips. As you enter the kovil you can witness the southern Indian influence been inherited into the architecture of the temple. A traditional Hindu five storey gopuram is then attached to the main entrance. As you pass these you can then see the iron gates of the temple painted with the statues of the Lord Murugan. Who is famous as the god of war. From this point onwards all male worshippers must enter the temple without a shirt.
The main shrine is where the pooja happens and the worshippers lay plates of fragrant flowers. The main idol of this temple is Lord Murugan to whom to kovil is dedicated to. There are many colourful statues of Lord Murugan everywhere in the Nallur Kandaswamy temple. The most vibrant mural is the one which depicts the Lord Murugan receiving the “Vel” (a weapon). The temple also consists of a courtyard, residents of the priests, dance hall, conference hall, holy bathing well and few other small inner temples.
During the summer there is a famous festival. The Nallur Festival. It brings thousands of Hindu pilgrims around Sri Lanka together at the Nallur Kandaswamy temple. The festivals take place for 25 days in the summer months. Which is between August and September.
