Trincomalee's ancient history is more mystery and legend and sometimes highly debated. On the eastern promontory is the famous Swami rock on which stands the celebrated Koneswaram temple. It is believed that on this same holy spot had stood a very ancient Hindu shrine, a Great Pagoda or the temple of 1,000 pillars, which was destroyed in the 17th century by the Portuguese.
It is documented that Constantine de Sa demolished the glorious Koneswaram temple with its "thousand columns" in 1624. De Queyroz, the Portuguese historian not only describes the exact location of the temple but goes further by describing it as the " Rome of the Orient more frequented by pilgrims than Rameshwaram or Jeganath in Orissa". The Pallavas, the Pandyans and Cholas were closely associated with the building, repairs, extensions and endowments to the Koneswaram temple.
Trincomalee's ancient history is more mystery and legend and sometimes highly debated. On the eastern promontory is the famous Swami rock on which stands the celebrated Koneswaram temple. It is believed that on this same holy spot had stood a very ancient Hindu shrine, a Great Pagoda or the temple of 1,000 pillars, which was destroyed in the 17th century by the Portuguese.
One interesting legend regarding this area celebrates King Ravana who, when his mother was ailing, wanted to remove the temple of Koneswaram. As he was heaving the rock God Siva made him drop his sword. As a result of this a cleft was created on the rock, which is today called Ravana Vettu-meaning Ravana's Cleft.
|
Loading....
Visitors Most Rated Property of the Sri Lanka ..
The most picturesque in the world. Soft sound of waves lapping in to the beach, endless strip of white sandy beaches.
Sri Lanka's famous historical sites have become the staple of many a travel programme - Sigiriya.
The Sri Lankan highlands enhance the country's richly-varied landscape. Only a few hours from the coast, here is a land of rushing waterfalls.