Koneswaram Temple lies in Trincomalee, perched high atop Swami Rock overlooking the sea. One of five ancient Ishawarams dedicated to Lord Shiva, its existence can be traced back to before 400 BC and is referred to in historical texts as the Kailash of the South. This is due to its placement at the mouth of the Mahaweli River which has its source at Adam’s Peak where Lord Shiva’s footprint is believed to be found being symbolic of the Ganges river flowing from Lord Shiva’s head on Mount Kailash, to his feet. Over the centuries, the original temple has seen destruction and reconstruction many times, and what stands today was inaugurated in 1963 using ancient pillars and artifacts found in the sea below the rock promontory by the legendary visionary Arthur C. Clarke.

The site of the Koneswaram temple also has mentioned in the Ramayana, with King Ravana said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. The legend also states that a deep fissure in the rock above the shoreline, known as Ravana Cleft, was created when Lord Shiva made Ravana drop his sword while he was trying to hurl the cliff into the sea.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass