Shankari Devi Shaktipeeth | Thirukoneswaram Temple, Trincomalee | SriLanka | Bhavana Havish

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Shankari Devi Shaktipeeth at Thirukoneswaram (Koneswaram) Temple, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

Shankari Devi Shaktipeeth – Thirukoneswaram Temple, Trincomalee

Location: Trincomalee (also known as Thirukonamalai), on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
Main Deities: Goddess Shankari Devi (a form of Shakti) and Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Trikoneshwara (Koneswara).

Mythology and Significance

Shankari Devi Temple is one of the eighteen ancient Shakti Peethas, sacred sites associated with Goddess Sati. According to legend, when Sati sacrificed herself in the Yagna of her father Daksha, Lord Shiva carried her body across the world in grief. Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut her body into pieces to calm Shiva. Each place where a piece fell became a holy Shakti Peetha.

At Trincomalee, it is believed that Sati’s groin (or pelvic portion) fell, sanctifying this site as a powerful Shakti Peetha. Hence, the goddess here is worshipped as Shankari Devi, the benevolent and fierce form of the Mother Goddess. The temple is also mentioned in Adi Shankaracharya’s Ashta Dasa Shakti Peetha Stotram.

Historical Background

The Shankari Devi shrine stands within the sacred complex of Thirukoneswaram Temple, one of the oldest and most revered Shiva temples in Sri Lanka. This complex is part of the Pancha Ishwarams – the five ancient abodes of Lord Shiva on the island.

The temple is believed to have existed even before the Common Era, making it one of the oldest centers of Hindu worship in the region.

It was greatly renovated by the Tamil Chola king Kulakottan, who also built surrounding shrines dedicated to Vishnu and the Mother Goddess.

During medieval times, Thirukoneswaram was known for its Thousand Pillared Hall, magnificent gopurams (towered gateways), and beautifully carved sculptures.

In 1622–1624 CE, Portuguese invaders destroyed much of the temple, dismantled its towers, and used the stones to build Fort Frederick. Many sacred idols were hidden by local devotees to protect them from desecration.

In 1952, after Sri Lanka’s independence, a new shrine dedicated to Shankari Devi was rebuilt near the original site, reviving the ancient worship and traditions.

Architecture and Setting

Thirukoneswaram Temple is situated atop a high cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, providing breathtaking views of the sea. The site is surrounded by lush greenery and steep rock faces known locally as “Ravanan Veddu” or “Ravana’s Cliff.”

The temple complex once consisted of:

Shrines for Shiva, Shakti, and Vishnu

A grand Thousand Pillared Mandapam

Ornate Gopurams (temple towers) and sculptures depicting divine stories

Stone inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit describing its ancient glory

Though much of the original structure was destroyed, remnants of its foundations and sculptures still remain near the new temple complex.

Cultural and Literary References

The temple has been praised in ancient Tamil devotional hymns by Saivite saints (Nayanmars) such as Sundarar, indicating its spiritual importance even in early centuries.
It is also mentioned in “Thirukonasala Vaipavam,” a Tamil literary work that details the temple’s history, rituals, and legends.

As one of the Pancha Ishwarams of Lord Shiva, it holds immense significance for devotees across Sri Lanka and South India.

Present Status

Today, the Shankari Devi Temple within the Thirukoneswaram complex is a small but powerful shrine attracting thousands of pilgrims from India and abroad. The goddess is adorned daily with flowers and jewels, and the sea breeze adds to the serene, divine atmosphere.

The temple opens early in the morning and remains active until late evening, especially during special occasions and festivals like Navaratri, Shivaratri, and Chitra Pournami.

Spiritual Importance

Visiting Shankari Devi Shaktipeeth is said to bestow:

Inner peace and emotional healing

Protection from negative energies

Divine blessings of strength and motherhood

The combination of the ocean, rocky cliffs, and the sacred shrine makes this temple one of the most spiritually charged places in the world — where nature and divinity unite in harmony.

Address: H6JW+X4H, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Function: Hindu Temple
Phone: +94 263 267 588
Deity: Konanātha Swami, Māthumai
District: Trincomalee District
Province: Eastern

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