The Most Popular Temples in Jaffna

 01. Nallur Kandaswamy Temple

In the hot parched terrains of Nallur, in Jaffna, rises the great Hindu sanctuary for Skanda/Murugan – the lord of adoration, war and magnificence. It has ruled over the land for quite a long time, drawing in aficionados from different backgrounds. The sanctuary itself epitomizes a sort of harmony that must be felt in the most perfect of spots.

History 

The sanctuary was initially established in 948 AD. Be that as it may, it arrived at notoriety when it was modified in the thirteenth century by Puvaneka Vaahu, a pastor of the Jaffna King Kalinga Maha. The Nallur Kandaswamy Temple was worked for a third time by Senpaha Perumal (a.k.a Sapumal Kumaraya) who was the embraced child of the Kotteking. Nallur filled in as the capital of the lords of Jaffna, and was an exceptionally guarded fortress and city. There were elegant structures, the castles, organizations and significantly more. 

The third fabricated sanctuary was decimated by the Portuguese in 1624 AD; and numerous holy places worked over the vestiges. The area of the first sanctuary is currently covered by the St James Church, Nallur. Part of the first Sivalingam from the sanctuary stayed in the vicarage, yet was demolished during the ongoing common war. Presently just the stage where it was mounted remaining parts. 

The current sanctuary was implicit 1734 AD by Don Juan. Be that as it may, the 'Brilliant Era' of the Nallur Temple started in the last 1890s with the takeover of the sanctuary organization by Arumuga Maapaana Mudaliyar; who began redesigning it to take it back to its previous heavenliness.

02. Naguleswaram Temple

Naguleswaram sanctuary is an exceptionally old sanctuary accepted to be one of the five Iswarams (divine living arrangements) of Shaivism. This sanctuary was constructed where the Sadhu Nagulaswami used to revere a lingam (generally an elliptical molded stone, speaking to the male quality and seen additionally as a fire, image of life and creation. The lingam is frequently positioned on a base, the yoni, which represents the female). In the same way as other others in the area, the sanctuary was pulverized during the Portuguese occasions and the current sanctuary, very much kept up and directed, dates from 1859. 

The principle entrance faces east and in strolling separation towards the northwest is Keerimalai Spring. Inside the sanctuary are the sculptures of the moorthies (gods) which decorate the sanctum. A multi day celebration is held in February-March which finishes with the Sivarathri (Shiva's night) for the disclosure of the divinities. Like Mavvidapuram, Naguleswaram is in the 'High Security Zone' and the entrance is confined. From the fundamental street, take the street on the left which is before Mavvidapuram Temple and drive 2.7 km. The sanctuary will be to your left side and the Keerimalai Spring marginally further on the right.

03. Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple 

A sanctum committed to Lord Skanda or Murugan, divine force of war and the second child of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Kovil is found near Kankesanthurai, which was once in the past known as Gayathurai. Nonetheless, since the picture of Lord Skanda, otherwise called Kankesan, first showed up in Gayathurai, it is accepted that the name changed to Kankesanthurai. 

Maviddapuram, where the sanctuary is arranged means 'the heavenly city where the pony face was eliminated' (Ma – horse, vidda – eliminated and pura – blessed city). It is accepted that this amazing sanctuary was worked by a Chola Princess from Tamil Nadu. As indicated by history princess Maruthapuraveegavallli, had a distorted face taking after that of a pony. It is said that Maviddapuram is where the divine beings addressed her supplications and changed her appearance to that of a lady. 

The design of the Kovil is amazing with extravagantly enhanced segments and a transcending gopuram. The six confronted sculpture of Lord Murugan is joined by sculptures of his spouses Valli and Devanai. Fans visit the Kovil throughout the year around to look for the favors of Lord Murugan.

04. Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple 

Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple (Tamil: நயினாதீவு நாகபூசணி அம்மன் கோயில்) is an old and memorable Hindu templelocated in the midst of the Palk Strait on the island of Nainativu, Sri Lanka. 

It is committed to Parvati who is known as Nagapooshani or Bhuvaneswari and her partner, Shiva who is named here as Nayinaar. The sanctuary's notoriety is licensed to Adi Shankaracharya, a ninth century Hindu savant, for distinguishing it as one of the noticeable 64 Shakti Peethams in Shakti Peetha Stotram and its notice in the Brahmanda Purana. The sanctuary complex houses four gopurams (entryway towers) going from 20–25 feet in tallness, to the tallest being the eastern Raja Gopuram taking off at 108 feet high. The sanctuary is a huge image for the Tamil public, and has been referenced since vestige in Tamil writing, for example, Manimekalai and Kundalakesi. 

The current structure was worked during 1720 to 1790 after the old structure was obliterated by the Portuguese in 1620. The sanctuary pulls in around 1000 guests every day, and roughly 5000 guests during celebrations. The yearly 16-day Mahostavam (Thiruvizha) celebration commended during the Tamil month of Aani (June/July) - draws in more than 100,000 explorers. There is an expected 10,000 models in this recently remodeled sanctuary.

05. Tellippalai Thurkkai Amman Temple 

Tellippalai or Thellippalai (Tamil: தெல்லிப்பழை Tellippaḻai ) is a modest community in the northern Jaffna District of Sri Lanka. It is situated around 15 kilometers north of Jaffna town along the Kankesanthurai street. 

In the center piece of twentieth century Tellippallai town had become a managerial and business center point for the encompassing towns of Ampanai, Kollangkaladdi, Veemankamam, Varuthalaivilan and Mathanai. Tellippalai railroad station is situated at around 100 meters east of Tellippalai intersection.

06. Selva Sanniti Murukan Temple 

Respected as Sella Katirkāmam of the North, Selva Sanniti Murukan Temple at Thondaimanaru is
arranged around twenty miles north of Jaffna. Here as well, as at Katirkamam, a free non-agamic climate for love invades the spot, people of different doctrines and positions assemble here for darshan of the Vel introduced at this favored cannitānam(Celva Canniti). 

The waters of Thondaimanaru, a tîrtham where new water streams into the ocean past the site, raises the area to a sthalam, favored with the triple subordinates of tîrtham, sthalam and mūrti. This stream said to have been unearthed under the oversight of Karunakara Thondaiman. He was sent here for acquirement of salt supplies, by Kulatunka Colan, who reigned in South India from 1070 to 1118 A.C. The sanctuary by the side of the recently cut stream would have been the spot of love of this settlement that got established in the area. The sanctuary anyway endured the destiny of decimation, similar to all other Hindu sanctuaries, in the possession of the outsiders of the sixteenth century. 

At this stage, the story movements to one Kadirkamar, a sharp aficionado of Murukan, who continued bewailing to Katirkamam, and was compensated there with the endowment of a silver Vel . He brought this consecrated Vel and introducing it in a madam at the hallowed site, performed day by day pujas to it. Afterward, he was allowed to utilize the sanctuary itself, which he dominated. He and his gathering have been overseeing and directing from that point onward, with devotion and fulfillment to all enthusiasts.