Ketheeswaram temple or Thiruketheeswaram Hindu Temple in Manner is one of the most venerated Hindu Temples in Sri Lanka located in Mannar District, Nothern Province of Sri Lanka.
This is also one of the five Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes of God Shiva) temples in Sri Lanka dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva. And also this temple was venerated by Shaivas throughout the continent. According to the Hindu natives of the Manthota, Thiruketheeswaram is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Shiva glorified in the poems of the Tevaram. Its is believed that there is a direct link between Ketheeswaram Temple and Ramayana trail Sri Lanka. 

Relationship to Ramayana Story Sri Lanka 

According to the Ramayana Yatra Sri Lanka, this temple was built by Mayan, the king of Manthai who is also the father of Mandothari who was the wife of king Ravana. According to the Hindu legend, Maharishi Bhrigu worshiped Shiva at this shine. Another tradition also hold that the Hindu Planetary got Ketu worshipped shiva at this shine, thus this shine is named as Ketheeswaram. Visitors can be visited this Hindu temple during your Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka. There are approximately 50 plus Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka including Ketheeswaram temple in Mannar.

History of Thiruketheeswaram Hindu Temple

This has been laid in ruins, been restored, renovated and enlarged by various royal people and devoted throughout its history. This has been proved by overlooking to the ancient period of Tamil port towns of Manthai and Kudiramalai. Throughout the history it is stated that this temple has been administered and frequented by Sri Lankan Hindu Tamils.
Some ancient places including famous tank, Palavi tank was restored from the ruins. Palavi tank is considered one of the most spiritual one by the Hindu devotees.
This temple is an ancient Dravidian architectural design. This is a Sri Lankan Hindu temple with two and half millennia long tradition as a place of worship for shiva. But it has the earliest reference of 6th century BC and reconstructed latest at 1903 AD after the destruction by Portuguese invaders and religious fanatics in 1575.

Current situation of Ketheeswaram Temple Mannar 

At present the temple has been renovated well and the colorful Gopuram of the temple attracts the everyone’s eye and many Hindus and natives visit this temple to worship and to carry out the traditional pooja for their Lord.

Location of Ketheeswaram Hindu Temple

Navathkuli – Karativu – Mannar highway
Old port town of Mannar district which is only few km from the North of Mannar town.

Contact number of Ketheeswaram Hindu Temple

023 20 50 800 If dial from outside Sri Lanka +94232050800

Minimum time needed at the site.

One hour

Distance from Colombo.

275 KM (4 to 5 Hrs drive from Colombo)