Swami Rock and Koneswaram temple
The history of Trincomalee is a mixture of mystery, legend, and controversy. The celebrated Koneswaram temple, situated on Swami rock, is believed to have stood on the same spot as a very ancient great Pagoda, which was destroyed in the 17th century by the Portuguese. The Portuguese historian, De Queyroz, describes it as the “Rome of the Orient more frequented by pilgrims than Rameshwaram or Jeganath in Orissa”. The building, repairs, extensions, and endowments to the Koneswaram temple were closely associated with the Pallavas, Pandyans, and Cholas. An ancient phallus found by an underwater explorer is believed to have belonged to that ancient shrine. King Panduvasdeva is said to have founded the imposing temple on the rock of Trincomalee in the 5th century BC. Trincomalee, known as Gokanna in ancient times, was referenced in history, with King Dutugemunu building many viharas and monasteries at Gokuranna. The first stupa built on the Gokarangiri rock, which has been identified as the...
Other places in Trincomalee
- Beaches of Trincomalee
- Nilaveli Beach
- Chapel Hill Lighthouse
- Hoods Tower Naval Museum
- Kanniya Hot Water Wells
- Kevuliya-Round Island Lighthouse
- Foul Point Lighthouse
- Fort Frederick
- Oil Tank Farm - World War II
