Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple

My visit to Keerimalai Naguleswaram Kovil was an enriching and awe-inspiring experience. Situated in a serene coastal setting, this ancient Hindu temple exudes an aura of tranquility and spirituality.

The temple's architecture is truly remarkable, with intricate carvings and vibrant colors adorning its walls. Stepping into the inner sanctum, I felt a sense of reverence and peace wash over me.

The temple's sacred natural spring, believed to possess healing properties, adds to its allure. The crystal-clear waters provide a refreshing dip for both body and soul, making it a must-visit for spiritual seekers and travelers alike.

Naguleshwaram, also called Keeramalei Naguleswaram Kovil, is a revered Hindu temple with deep historical roots in northern Sri Lanka. Believed to have been constructed over 2,500 years ago by the sage Nagula Muni, it holds cultural significance. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, survived various historical upheavals and has undergone renovations. Its architecture reflects Dravidian influences. Pilgrims visit to seek blessings and perform rituals. The temple stands near the ancient port of Kankesanthurai, adding maritime historical relevance. Naguleshwaram remains a testament to the enduring spiritual and cultural heritage of the region.

❤ Loved my visit here! Me and a friend came and really did enjoy, both the temple and pond.

🚌 You can get a bus from Jaffna town and it will cost 150rs, ask locals for help to get the right one! The last bus heading back to Jaffna will be at 5:15pm. (As of 21/08/23)

🛕 The temple is gorgeous and is a known as a Pancha Ishwaram - one of five temples in Sri Lanka built to worship Lord Shiva. It is said that King Ravana of Sri Lanka built these as he was a huge devotee of Lord Shiva.

💪 The temple has been burned down by a fire, was taken over by the Portuguese and suffered damage during the civil war, you can see remains of the old temple and can witness the new one standing in all its glory!

💧 Walk down from the temple, there was vendors selling sweets etc, go all the way past them and you will reach the pond. The pool is separate for men and women and it cost 20rs to use the pool, there are changing rooms available.

📖 The pond gets its name from an old tale. Its said there was a sage who lived in cave near the pond. With his age, his face and body began to resemble a mongoose, after taking a bath in the pond, he was cured of this disfigurement. He was known as sage Nagula Muni. Nagula and Keeri means 'mongoose' in local scripture. So it is said that this water has healing properties!
It is alsio said that in the famous Ramayana tale, Rama came to this pond to cleanse himself before going back to India. 🙏❤🙏

Kerimalai boasts a captivating natural pool, making it a great place to visit. The water is remarkably clean, creating a serene environment. The added bonus of being able to have a bath enhances the overall experience. Highly recommended for those seeking a refreshing and picturesque destination.

A very ancient Hindu temple in the whole Northern region if Sri Lanka. Architecture of the temple is so nice.

One of pancha Eashwarams in Srilanka.
We just went to the beach and temple, and surprisingly, there were areas that looked like pools.
It's super fun and peaceful ✌It's separate for men and women. The water wasn't very clean, but that's okay; there's a shower, so we can clean up after swimming.

Beautiful Hindu temple next to the beach and Keerimalai Sacred Water Springs. Inside the temple area there is also a meditation center and there are several gurus living there.

This ancient historical Sivan temple (known as Keerimalai Sivan Kovil or Nakuleswaram Sivan Kovil) is one of the Pancha Eeswaram in Sri Lanka. This temple located near the palk strait. Which temple has biggest holy water pond. Elders home and Sivapoomi madam are situated withi this temple.

Sri Lanka's nother province very famous sivaperuman temple. Naguleswaram one of the temple in 5 eeswarams temples in srilnka. I love this temple. I feel inner peace inside of me when was there. Very spiritual temple. Everything perfect here.

A most Sacred Hindu Temple – visit and be blessed!!
Seventeen of us travelling together visited Naguleswaram Temple on 7th July 2019, accompanied by our guide. There is no entrance fee.
We first visited the Keeramalai Ponds, and then the temple located close by - almost opposite the ponds. It is a sacred Hindu temple venerated and worshipped from ancient times.
The temple had sadly been destroyed badly in 1990 during the civil war. It was reopened after reconstruction only in February 2012. The old temple entrance and some of the damaged can still be seen.
Being a sacred place, we were careful to dress modestly. Visitors are required to remove footwear (socks ok) and maintain appropriate decorum and respect. Males remove their shirts and enter the temple bare bodied to display respect. Although I am not a Hindu, in accordance with the tradition I purchased and made some offerings though it is not an absolute requirement. Hindus believe that their offerings to the deities would bring them blessings and aid them in fulfilling their wishes and needs.
We circulated through the temple, enjoying the pious atmosphere and looking at the many and various murals, monuments and statues. A priest placed a small mark on our forehead blessing us! I also made it a point to drop a small note into the donation box.
Thousands of Hindus from all over the world come here to pray and receive blessings. The Atmosphere was such that I felt I was blessed too!!

The temple has an interesting mythological history behind it. It's said to be one of the five Pancha Ishwaram's which was built by Ravana who was an ardent devotee of God Shiva. It's also believed that, after Rama killed Ravana to rescue Sita he was advised by few saints to visit all five sacred Shiva linga's to cleanse him from the sin he accumulated by killing Ravana, so as part of the process he had bathed in Keerimalai pond to cleanse his sins.

Initially this temple was known to be as Tiruthambaleswaram but later it was changed to Naguleswaram due to Sage Nagula. Sage Nagula was residing near the Shiva lingam and the pond and due to his age his face and body had shrunk to position where he looked like a Mongoose (Keeri). Thereafter, one day he had taken a bath in the pond where he had got instant cure. From then the temple was called Keeri or Nagula which means Mongoose. A Pandyan princess Maruthapura Veeravalli as also had a disfigured face and then came he to bathe in the pond a

King Vijaya had constructed a larger shrine to the temple. During the rule of Portuguese, they destroyed the temple. Arumuga Navalar reconstructed the temple during 1890's but a fire destroyed the temple again on 1910. It was rebuilt again but during war in 1990, a major bombing destroyed it again. It wasn't rebuilt until 1997 and gradually it was rebuilt and the 2012 Mahakumbabhishegam was done to invite all devotees. To go see the linga, Males need to remove their shirts/t-shirts and go inside bare body (top part only).

The Keerimalai pond, has said above is believed to provide healing power and analysis has said that it contains high mineral present in the water. While the water resource is believed to be deriving from Nilavarai bottemless well. There is only a wall which separates the pond and the sea.

A kovil with a history with water sprout(Ootru) which is believed to have the power to heal unknown diseases and is believed to solve problems you have in your life. It's a beautiful location by the sea.
Be careful with the slippery steps in the water sprouts.

It ia one of the 5 popular temples of lord siv in Srilanka. It is historically famous. Highly recommend to visit during Sivarathiri festival

A beautiful place colorful statues creative construction can make beautiful photos

Naguleswaram temple Keerimalai is a most venerated centuries old historical Hindu Temple in northern capitol of Jaffna Sri Lanka. This is Pancha Ishwarams of lord Shiva venerated by the Hindu community across the globe. Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple is also known as Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai Jaffna which is one of the oldest Hindu shrines of the northern province of Sri Lanka.😌😇

The very special thing is 👆

"Keerimalai Hot Springs pond "

: Keerimalai hot spring is a natural one. A bathing tank was constructed adjacent this pool and only the walls separate the waters of the spring and the sea. The water is not hot. Hindu believe the water of Keerimalai hot spring is having a healing power. As per the geological analysis, this water enriched with high mineral properties.

One more special facility : 👆

: There were so many comfortable rooms in lodge(மடம்) & you can contect to the owner to stay there

A temple with cultural and historical significance. It also has a sacred pond/pool adjacent to the sea.

Several final rites/rituals are performed here (in a separate hall).

• Keerimalai Springs ✓
This is part of the Naguleswaram temple (famous Hindu temple located North of Jaffna) which was restored during the reign of Prince of Vanga (543-505 BCE). It's attribution to curative properties has been related in irrigation scientific studies to its high mineral content, sourced from underground.

This is one of the biggest kovils in the Keerimalai area. This kovil was reconstructed after the war and presently it is one of the most beautiful kovils in the area.

The architecture and artistry is amazing and the locals in the vicinity are very friendly.

If you are ever in Jaffna, be sure to visit this kovil and the Keeramali pond.

Apart from Nallur Kandaswamy, this is the most venerated Hindu place of worship on the Jaffna peninsula. It's located at its northern shores, 17 km north of Jaffna city and 21 km west of Point Pedro.

Neguleshwaram hindu temple is a historicaly important place for hindus. Its combinedly famous with sippar madam and sacred pool.