Nallur Kandaswamy Temple

About this place

Nallur Kandaswamy Temple is a large Hindu temple at Nallur, close to the centre of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. Dedicated to Murugan, it is the city's leading religious and cultural landmark, known for its carved tower, golden arches and the red and white stripes on its walls. The first Kandaswamy temple at Nallur is dated to 948 in the sources, the site was developed in the 13th century, and a third temple is credited to Sapumal Kumaraya. Nallur served as the capital of the Jaffna kings, with their palace close by. In 1624 the Portuguese conqueror Filipe de Oliveira destroyed the third temple, whose original site is now occupied by St James' Church. The fourth and present temple was built in 1734, in the Dutch colonial era. From the broad sandy yard you see the arched golden gateway with orange towers crowded with carvings behind it, and to one side the house of the temple's wooden chariot with its colourful tower. The striped walls complete the scene. A big annual festival takes place around August, when the yard fills with worshippers and processions and the nearby streets take on the feel of a large fair. The temple lies about 2.7 km from Jaffna Fort and 304.5 km from Colombo in a straight line. It is an active place of worship, so remove your shoes, dress modestly and expect men to be asked to take off their shirts inside. Photography is usually not allowed inside, so ask first. In the north generally, follow the authorities' instructions and warning signs away from the usual roads.