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Thiruketheeswaram Kovil — Mannar

Cover photo: Vivek Vg (Unsplash)

District

Mannar

Province

Northern

Best for

Hindu pilgrims; one of the island's oldest Shiva temples

Map

See it on the map

About this place

Ancient coastal temple northeast of Mannar town, one of the Pancha Ishwarams of Sri Lanka. Morning or evening puja is the best time; cover shoulders and knees. Allow an hour and combine with the nearby Ketheeswaram tank.

Visitor brief

Good to know before you go

• Ancient coastal Shiva temple, one of the five Pancha Ishwarams; destroyed 1575 by Portuguese, rebuilt from 1903.
• Morning or evening puja is the best time; reported hours roughly 6am-1pm and 4-8pm - confirm locally.
• Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes; allow about an hour.
• Combine with the nearby Ketheeswaram tank.
• Maha Shivaratri draws big crowds - expect packed conditions then.

How to travel there

Northeast of Mannar town on the mainland side; tuk-tuk or hired car from Mannar town.

Where to stay

Stay in Mannar town (guesthouses to mid-range hotels); the kovil is a short ride out.

Nearby places

Ketheeswaram tank, Mannar Fort, Great Baobab Tree

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