| Kirimalai in the very north of the Jaffna Peninsula is famous for one of Sri Lanka’s four most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the supreme deity venerated by Tamil Hindus. The Naguleshwaram Kovil, also known as Thiruthambaleshwaram Kovil, attracts pilgrims from India, too, particularly in the Tamil month of Aadi. Hindus believe, that the Keerimalai springs have curative properties due to their miraculous origin. Indeed, it’s a natural phenomenon to find such an amount of freshwater only a few meters from the ocean. Legend has it, that the sage Nagula Muni had had a face that likened that of a mongoose (Kiri in Tamil), but was cured from it when taking a bath in the pond. The original Naguleshvaram temple of Kirimalai was destroed by Christian fanatics during the Portuguese colonial period. The sanctuary was revived during the period of Hindu revivalism of Jaffna Tamils in the late 19th century. Read our detailed report about Kirimalai here... |
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