Kokkadicholai Thaanthonreeswarar Temple

Kokkadicholai Thaanthonrichcharar Kovil (also known as Kokkadicholai Thanthonrichcharam) is the most significant Shaivism Kovil located in Kokkadicholai, 15km southwest Batticaloa District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka.[1] It is also one of the oldest and five most important Kovils in Sri Lanka and it is believed to be one of the two Kovils in Sri Lanka to have naturally built Sivalingam. The chariot festival of the temple is held annually usually in the month of September.[2] One of the main chariots used in the festival was constructed with wooden sculptures in the 18th century.[3]

Kokkadicholai Thaanthonreeswarar Temple
Kokkadicholai Thanthonrichcharam Kovil
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictBatticaloa
ProvinceEastern
DeityLord Shiva
FestivalsUtsava, annual chariot festival
Location
LocationKokkadicholai
CountrySri Lanka
Architecture
Typethamizh or tamil architecture

History

The temple is believed to have been originated in the 4th century BC and built by Ulaga Naachi who belonged to the Chola Empire.[4] The temple is also well known for its miracles. One of them famously witnessed during the Portuguese era in Sri Lanka. A bull statue which is located inside the temple ate grass and chased the Portuguese soldiers away from the temple who were aiming to destroy the temple at that time.[5]

References
  1. "Kokkadichcholai Siva Thondan richcharam". kataragama.org. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  2. Packiyanathan, Picture by Sivam; corr, Batticaloa special. "The Kokkaddicholai Thanthondreeswarar temple's annual flag-hoisting ceremony". Daily News. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  3. "Kokkadicholai Thanthonreeswarar Temple chariot festival". tamilnet. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  4. "கிழக்கின் வரலாற்றுப் புகழ் மிக்க புண்ணியத்தலம் கொக்கட்டிச்சோலை தான்தோன்றீச்சரர் கோவில் | Thinakaran". தினகரன். Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  5. "History of Kokkadicholai Temple". books.google.lk. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
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