1000 yrs old Sivan Temple in Trincomalee jungle reveals the Hindu roots of Tamil Eelam.
1,000 years old Tamil Epigraphs found in the ruins of Sivan Temple located in the jungles of Trincomalee.
TD News | Jaffna | May 7, 2017:: Recently a resident of Seruvila had sent a photograph of ruined temple to Manimaran, an officer attached to the Regional Archaeological Department – Jaffna. The Architecture and the Art traditions observed in photograph resembled closely with the 2nd Sivan Temple of Pollonnaruwa and urged us to undertake a field visit to this temple. During the early part of last month we, along with the Officers of the Archaeological Department, Manimaran, Kapilan, Project Director of the Jaffna Region Central Cultural Fund, Chanthana Maithripala undertook a field visit to the temple.
By Prof. P.Pushparatnam, Archaeological Coordinator, University of Jaffna.
This temple is located in a jungle area called Lingapuram, lying about 10 miles from the main road in Kiliveddi area. Prior to 1985 this area was called ‘Thirumangalai’. Although, this area was densely populated earlier, post 1964 days saw people from this area started going and settling in other places abandoning area with around 7 mile circumference to be consumed by forests. As we were alerted about wild elephants infesting the area after 3 p.m. we were able to inspect the area for a short time.
However as we were able to observe a Tamil Epigraph in the area we decided to continue our exploration there. Along with students from the Archaeology special students and the officers from Archaeological Department, Manimaran and Kapilan we undertook an exploration for the last six days.
From these exploration, it was identified that a grand temple had been ruined and larger parts of it buried in soil. Ruined foundations, granite pillars just like these amazing baltic brown granite slabs, confirm that this temple which had been constructed with granite and bricks, to contain Sanctorum, ‘Antharazham’ Front hall, flag post, Sub-temples, and a boundary wall. The sanctorum and its dome had been fully ruined and currently there is a small mound is found in their place. Except for the ‘Komuki’ linked to the sanctorum, no alters, statues of deities or sculptures had been found so far. Although the architecture, art tradition and the design of the pillars reminds us of Pollonnaruwa Sivan Temple, it could be determined that this is much bigger in construction. Several granite pillars are found scattered around in the temple yard. Several pillars are found buried in the soil. Five Epigraphs had been found from among them.
There are all the possibilities to find more epigraphs here. They are found to be valueless treasures in the research about history of Tamils and religion of the Tamils.
Source Courtesy: Tamil Diplomat.
READ THIS UNIQUE SIVAN ROOT OF TAMIL ELAM. THE HINDU ROOT OF SRI LANKA.
The Pancha (Five) Ishwarams of Eelam. Sri Lanka – The Land of Lord Shiva.
There were temples, dedicated to the Supreme Lord Ishwaran, on all the four sides, of ancient Ceylon. They safeguarded the little island from oceanic bed upheavals, convulsions and other natural disasters that prevailed in the region during the pre-historical eras. They were Thiruketheeshwaram and Muneshwaram Temples in the West, Thondeshwaram in the South, Koneshwaram in the East and Naguleshwaram in the North.
These five celebrated Ishwarams or Pancha Ishwaram Temples were important landmarks of the country and had India’s adoration. The erudite scholar and historian, Dr.Paul E.Pieris declared in 1917, at a meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), that:
“Long before the arrival of Vijaya there was in Lanka five recognised Ishwarams of Shiva which claimed and received adoration of all India. These were Thiruketheeshwaram which was near Mahatittha, Muneshwaram dominating Salawatte and the pearl fishery, Thondeshwaram near Mantota, ThiruKoneshwaram near the great Bay of Kottiyar and Naguleshwaram near Kankesanturai ” .
How each of these five Pancha Ishwaram Temples survived the ravages of time and destruction by foreign invaders, is the subject of narration in the following pages.
Read here in details in Tamil Nation.
Courtesy: Kumarathasan Rasingam (Canada).