Koneswaram Temple - The Majestic Site of the Temple of A Thousand Pillars
The Koneswaram Temple is one of Trincomalee's most popular attractions.
This ancient worship site lies atop a rocky outcrop that is known as the Swami Rock.
Dedicated to the Hindu idol Shiva, the Temple is said to have existed for over 2000 years.
It is reputed that the Temple was a majestic building in both size and grandeur, and was also known as the 'Temple of a Thousand Pillars' among many.
This historic site is reputed to have once been one of the most famous and richest temples in Asia.
Much of the splendour of the Temple and its structure was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1624.
Be sure to visit this top attraction in Trincomalee when holidaying in Sri Lanka! Historic evidence shows that the Koneswaram Temple was developed and built by several Indian kings of the Chola and Pandyan empires and various other Sri Lankan kings.
The hall of a thousand pillars that dominated the Temple was furnished and decorated by kings from the Jaffna Kingdom and the Pallava dynasty of India.
After a glorious existence that lasted for centuries, the Temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 17th century.
Hundreds of years later in the 1900's, a successor temple was built on the site where the once majestic Koneswaram Temple stood.
Several of the original sculptures and statues of the Koneswaram Temple were found buried in the azure waters just underneath the Swami Rock.
Today, these historic artefacts can be seen adorning the interior of the new Koneswaram Temple.
This ancient worship site lies atop a rocky outcrop that is known as the Swami Rock.
Dedicated to the Hindu idol Shiva, the Temple is said to have existed for over 2000 years.
It is reputed that the Temple was a majestic building in both size and grandeur, and was also known as the 'Temple of a Thousand Pillars' among many.
This historic site is reputed to have once been one of the most famous and richest temples in Asia.
Much of the splendour of the Temple and its structure was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1624.
Be sure to visit this top attraction in Trincomalee when holidaying in Sri Lanka! Historic evidence shows that the Koneswaram Temple was developed and built by several Indian kings of the Chola and Pandyan empires and various other Sri Lankan kings.
The hall of a thousand pillars that dominated the Temple was furnished and decorated by kings from the Jaffna Kingdom and the Pallava dynasty of India.
After a glorious existence that lasted for centuries, the Temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 17th century.
Hundreds of years later in the 1900's, a successor temple was built on the site where the once majestic Koneswaram Temple stood.
Several of the original sculptures and statues of the Koneswaram Temple were found buried in the azure waters just underneath the Swami Rock.
Today, these historic artefacts can be seen adorning the interior of the new Koneswaram Temple.
