Magnificence of Sri Munneswaram

Among the Shiva temples in Sri Lanka, Sri Munneswaram is preeminent and is one of the five ‘pancheswarams’, the five most hallowed Shiva shrines, believed to have existed from prehistoric times, showering blessings on all devotees, low and high alike. The Temple is located just two miles off Chilaw on the Chilaw-Kurunegala road and is popularly known as the ‘Munneswaram Maha Devale’ among local devotees. National leaders including the world’s first woman Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, former Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Ranasinghe Premadasa were frequent visitors, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. President Maithripala Sirisena, according to temple priests, has also become a VVIP returnee. Novice pilgrims often mistake Sri Munneswaram for the Munneswaram Badrakaliyamman Temple, ignorant of the historic and significant difference of the two places of worship. For one, the consecration of the Munneswaram Badrakaliyamman Temple happened significantly later than Sri Munneswaram, and in recent years has received much media flak over its controversial animal sacrifice traditions. Many other temples surrounding the Munneswaram Temple are also relatively new additions.

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