The Munneswaram Temple

What?
This is a historic Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka, dating back to at least 1000 CE.

Where?
It is located in the Puttalam district and approximately 80 km from Colombo.

When?
The best time to visit is from March to October, especially during temple festivals.

The Munneswaram Temple is a Hindu temple complex in Munneswaram village in Puttalam. It was one of five ancient Ishwaram temples dedicated to God Shiva in this region. It was constructed around the year 1000. There are many myths associated with the temple; one of them is the popular Indian epic Ramayana with its legendary hero King Rama. The temple is actually a composition of five temples, including a Buddhist one. The main temple, which is the biggest and the most magnificent, is dedicated to Shiva; other temples are dedicated to Ganesh, Ayyanayake, and Kali. Although these temples are Hindu worship places, many other believers like visiting them.