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Munneswaram Kovil is one of the three praised old Isvarams of Lord Siva - the other two being Thirukethiswaram close Mannar and Konneswaram in Trincomalee. It is arranged about a large portion of a mile east of Chilaw.
We first become aware of this kovil in the Ramayana or the story of Rama and Sita, when Śrī Rama Bhagavan is said to have discovered comfort there of his vigorously weighted inner voice in appreciation of the numerous passings that had been brought on in the Ramayana scene. He stayed for a moment, performed poojas and different functions.
We next become aware of Munneswaram in the Kokila Sandesa in the time of Parakrama Bahu VI of Kotte, when the fledgling emissary making a trip from Matara to Jaffna passed the kovil. The sanctuary prospered amid the rule of Parakrama Bahu VI. He talented a few towns and ricelands for its upkeep. Interestingly a sannas to this impact was found at some point back and its legitimateness was maintained in the Chilaw courts.
The Portuguese, when they governed the oceanic locales, most likely pulled in by the presumed abundance of the kovil, demolished it totally in 1578, all with the exception of the storm cellar and utilized the center of the building as a house of prayer.
Lord Kirti Śrī Rajasinghe of the Kandyan Kingdom had the superstructure revamped in the 1750s. The Kalasam or kotha on top is made of silver, a fine gem and society showing the best of South Indian Hindu construction modeling.
The kovil was revamped again in 1875 by the endeavors of Brahma Sri Cumaraswamy Kurukal. Enhancements were effected again in 1919 and 1963 by open backing from Hindus everywhere throughout the island.
We first become aware of this kovil in the Ramayana or the story of Rama and Sita, when Śrī Rama Bhagavan is said to have discovered comfort there of his vigorously weighted inner voice in appreciation of the numerous passings that had been brought on in the Ramayana scene. He stayed for a moment, performed poojas and different functions.
We next become aware of Munneswaram in the Kokila Sandesa in the time of Parakrama Bahu VI of Kotte, when the fledgling emissary making a trip from Matara to Jaffna passed the kovil. The sanctuary prospered amid the rule of Parakrama Bahu VI. He talented a few towns and ricelands for its upkeep. Interestingly a sannas to this impact was found at some point back and its legitimateness was maintained in the Chilaw courts.
The Portuguese, when they governed the oceanic locales, most likely pulled in by the presumed abundance of the kovil, demolished it totally in 1578, all with the exception of the storm cellar and utilized the center of the building as a house of prayer.
Lord Kirti Śrī Rajasinghe of the Kandyan Kingdom had the superstructure revamped in the 1750s. The Kalasam or kotha on top is made of silver, a fine gem and society showing the best of South Indian Hindu construction modeling.
The kovil was revamped again in 1875 by the endeavors of Brahma Sri Cumaraswamy Kurukal. Enhancements were effected again in 1919 and 1963 by open backing from Hindus everywhere throughout the island.