Rebirth of Thiruketheeswaram
The ancient temple of Thiruketheeswaram is situated near Mannar. According to mythology Kethu took refuge here, performed penance and beseeched the Supreme Lord of the temple Iswara. Hence the temple gained the name Thiru-Kethu-Iswaram.
Originally built by Mayan, father-in-law of Ravana, Thiruketheeswaram is one of the five leading Shivan temples in the country, considered as one of the most important alayams (temples or shethrams).The five are Thiruketheeswaram in the Mannar district, Thirukoneshwaram in the Trincomalee district, Muneeswaram in the Chilaw district and Naguleswaram in the Northern district. Another ancient Lankan eswaram was Thondeswaram, in the area of Dondra, now in ruins.
According to Tamil Hindu history, Thiruketheeswaram and Thirukoneeshwaram are the two outstanding temples praised by the Hindu saints. There is evidence in Sri Lankan history and the Sri Lankan Hindu religion about the temple and its location in the city of Mathotam.
‘Mathotam’, also referred to as Manthai was a bustling seaport where ancient settlements came up. Some interpret the word ‘Mathota’ to be derived from the Sinhala word. According to them the ancient King Mahathuvoda worshipped here and it was named as Mathodam. In Tamil one of the ancient Sanga literature Kurunthokai mentions Manthai as Mathotam.
During the South Indian kingdom of Chera, Chola and Pandya, Lanka was under the rule of King Vijaya and trade ties between India and Sri Lanka flourished. Historical evidence clearly reveals that Greeks, Chinese, Romans and Arabians were also involved in trade activities at Mathodam port. The great Saiva Saints Thirugnasampanther and Sunderamoorthy Nayanar also sang beautiful hymns (Thevarams) on Mathodam. Evidence reveals that famed Arunakiri Nathar worshipped the temple in the 15th century A.D and composed beautiful songs on Thiruketheeswaram.
The ancient chronicles Mahavamsa and Rajavaliya mention Mathodam. The second wife of Lankan king Vijaya, the Pandya princess along with her associates is said to have landed here. According to historian W.S. Poku, Arabians landed at Mathotam with a view to doing trade in the northwest of Thiruketheeswaram. A particular tree named ‘Perku’ seen at this site, not seen anywhere else in the country was planted by Arabian traders to feed their camels, according to the historian. Roman and Dutch coins have also been found at Mathotam.
Marine trading took place till the 12th century A.D. but the decline of marine trade at the end of the 13th Century did not affect the arrival of pilgrims to Thiruketheeswaram temple. However the ancient seaport lost all its glory and prosperity.
In 1545 A.D., the sea engulfed certain portions of Mathodam. Despite all the difficulties, the Thiruketheeswaram temple’s daily Nithiya poojas took place till 1585. It was the advent of the Portuguese that was to spell disaster to the temple.
When the local people came to know that the Portuguese were planning to loot the temple they removed the valuables including the Sounthari Amman statue and smuggled them to Anuradhapura. While they were crossing the Madhu Matha temple they installed the Sri Sounthari Amman idol and built a small temple there. Daily poojas are performed at the Sri Sounthari Amman idol even today. It is believed that the Amman Vikeramam (idol) is the Amman idol of Thiruketheeswaram. Many devotees worship the sacred Sri Sounthari Amman temple near Madhu Matha temple.
The Portuguese also destroyed the temple including the parapet wall and the majestic Rajakopuram, removing the granite of the temple to build the Mannar harbour. With the passage of time, the whole temple was covered with sand. Later the entire area was gradually covered with thick jungle. Mathodam and Thiruketheeswaram faced vast destruction in the 16th century AD.
Till the 19th century A.D., nothing was heard about Thiruketheeswaram and its glories.
Arumuganavalar’s mission
Scholar and reformer, Jaffna-based Sri Arumuganavalar mentioned Thiruketheeswaram in 1872 for the first time and then began his mission to restore the temple. He is credited with creating public awareness especially among the Saiva devotees. Navalar took earnest efforts to rebuild the temple and restore the daily kiriyas (such as Nithya and Nimithiya rituals) of the temple. Unfortunately, all his efforts did not materialize during his lifetime but only 21 years after his death.
An auction took place in the presence of the Northern Government Agent Sir William Twynam on December 13,1893 which was attended by people from many walks of life. The priests gathered at the premises of the Jaffna Kachcheri. Sri William Twynam allowed the 40 acres of land of the temple to be auctioned.
Catholic priests asked the land for Rs. 3050. An ardent devotee named Palani Appa Chediyar, purchased the land for Rs. 3100 on behalf of the Sri Lankan Hindu community. Later the devotees raised the money and bought the land from him.
In his annual administrative report Sir William Twynam mentions the historical links and the ancient glories of Thiruketheeswaram. Today, thanks to extensive restoration efforts, the Thiruketheeswaram temple is once again an important place of worship for Hindus devotees.