temple · Trincomalee · 239km from Colombo

Koneswaram (Thirukoneswaram) is a Shiva temple on Swami Rock, the headland that gave Trincomalee its Tamil name, Thirukonamalai. It is one of 275 shrines praised in the Tevaram hymns and one of only two in Sri Lanka. The Portuguese destroyed the original in 1622; the current temple was rebuilt from the 1950s and reopened in 1963. The 22-day April festival before Tamil New Year and the Maha Shivaratri chariot procession are the big events.

Best time to visit

Early morning or the evening puja around 6pm; April for the festival

Typical visit duration

1-2 hours

Tips

Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees. Walk to Ravana's Cleft behind the temple for the sea view; from April to July you may spot whale spouts.