Nallur Kanthaswamy Kovil
by S. Pathmanathan
|
Courtesy: Dominic Sansoni (www.threeblindmen.com)
|
The historic Kanthaswamy Temple stands
in Nallur was built in the 15th century, by Sanpaha Perumal the adopted
son of Bhuvanekababhu, the king of Kotte, who led an expedition to the
North and brought Jaffna under the suzerainty of Kotte.
Having established himself as the ruler of the Jaffna Kingdom,
Sanpaha Perumal set about the task of building the city and erecting the
temple. Then he appointed Vijayabahu as the ruler and returned to Kotte.
After some time, the deposed king Kanagasuriyan attacked and drove away
the invader. He and his descendants managed the Nallur Temple up to the
arrival of the Portuguese. Bhuvanekabahu's name is still mentioned by
the usher on ceremonial occasions. The Portuguese defeated Sankili, the
last king of Jaffna in 1560.
The Portuguese General Philip de Olivera demolished the historic
Kandaswamy Temple in 1621.
The temple then stood at Sankili Thopu on the eastern side of the
Point Pedro Road (The site was later used for erecting a Christian
Church.) Jaffna like the other maritime districts, fell to the Dutch in
1658. The Dutch were more tolerant than the Portuguese. Don Juan
Ragunathan Mappana Mudaliyar who was shroff in the Kachcheri (and hence
an influential person) obtained permission from the Government to
rebuild the temple. The temple was built in stone and brick in 1734. His
decendants have, to-date been, trustees of the temple, the present
incumbent Kumaradasa Mappana. Mudaliyar enjoys a reputation for
punctuality and discipline. He has, during his period of office, been
effecting additions and improvements to the temple, making it spacious
and accessible to the very large crowds that throng during the festival.
The very atmosphere of the temple breathes holiness and peace. The
annual festival starts with Kodietram in the month of Adi (July) and
continues for twenty five days.
The deity goes round the inner precincts at noon and the outer
precincts in the evening daily. Lord Skanda or his Vel, as the case may
be, does the rounds accompanied by the consorts Valli and Thievayanai.
The Vahanams (vehicles) are of a rich variety ranging from Silver
Peacock, Silver Swan, Silver Rishapam, the Cobra, the Green Peacock, the
House etc.
The Kailaasa Vahanam the Manjam and the Ther are special attractions.
On the tenth day, Muthucumaraswamy and on the Twenty fourth day
Arumugaswamy, accompanied by the consorts do the rounds. All the other
days, the Vel is the main deity.
The water-cutting takes place on the twentyfifth day. The Vel, the
consorts Ganesha and Sandeswara grant dharasan to thousands of devotees.
The divine wedding marks the last day of the festival.
--------------------------
<< Back to main page |
