Nallur Kanthaswamy Kovil

The Northern Province has many kovils that have embellished her history. Divine veneration has dominated their lifestyle for centuries. Worship has united and sustained these communities. Central among these sacred abodes is the legendary Nallur Kovil. It remains a pious magnet that draws his devotees from many parts of the world. This kovil has a rich heritage. The Nallur Kovil will remain the most prominent landmark of Jaffna, a testament of endurance and pious diligence.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Jaffna district.  Its history goes back to several centuries. It is believed that the first Temple was originally built in 948 A.D, due to foreign invasion the Temple had to be re-constructed number of times in different places. The third temple was built in the 15th century by Senpaha Perumal the adopted son of Bhuvanekababhu, the king of Kotte. It was destroyed by the Portuguese colonial Filipe de Oliveira in 1624 A.D. The fourth and the present temple was constructed in 1734 A.D. during the Dutch colonial era by Ragunatha Maapaana Mudaliyar, who served as a Shroff in the Dutch Katchery, in a place identified then as the 'Kurukkal Valavu. Krishnaiyar a Brahmin, served as the first priest of the temple.

The temple has the main entrance facing the East. It has an ornately carved five-storied tower or Gopuram in the Dravidian architecture style at the main entrance. In the Northern side a big holy garden is found. The Kalas Abhishekam of the nine-storied Gopuram ('Shanmuha Raja Gopuram') at Southern entrance was held on 21st August 2011. Another New Raja Gopuram was unveiled on 04 September 2015, creating a new Northern entrance to the temple complex. It is known as 'Gubera Raja Gopuram', and the entrance named 'Kubera Vaasal'.

Annual Grand Festival in every year commence with Holy Flag hoisting ('Kodiyetram') ceremony. The festival is spread over a period of twenty five days. Annual Chariot festival ('Ther') helds on 24th day and Water cutting ceremony ('Theertham') helds on 25th day.

Opening Hours of the main entrance of the Kovil:
Early morning 4.00am to 5.30am.
Morning 7.30am to 12.30 pm.
Evening 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
During Fridays, Early morning 4.00am to evening 6.00pm.

Pooja held six times a day.

Hours of Pooja: Early morning 4.30am, Morning 5.0am, Morning 10.00am, Noon 12.00, Evening 4.00pm, Evening 5.00pm and Evening 6.00pm.

For more information: visit http://www.nalluran.com/

Contact Person: Office Manager

Email address : nalluran2010@gmail.com

Contact no: 0212219353