In
the list of places of historical importance in Jaffna, Nallur
Kumaran Hindu temple stands prominent to many others due
to its cultural and religious significance.
Nallur
is considered the capital of the old Jaffna kingdom. Situated
on the Point Pedro road, in close proximity to Jaffna town,
this Hindu Kovil was first built in 948 A.D by Bhuvanekabhahu,
Chief Minister to Chola Kulangai Arya for Lord Kumaran in
Kurukkal Valavu in Nallur.
In
1450, Senbaha Perumal, a warrior in King Parakramabahu’s
army came from Anuradhapura to conquer Jaffna, and destroyed
the temple. However, after about seven years, Senbaha Perumal
who regretted his deed built the temple in Muthirai Chanthai.
Again
during the Portuguese invasion, it met the same fate as
of 1450 A.D. and it was reconstructed in 1734 in Muthirai
Chanthai.
Under
Dutch reign, because of the effort taken by Krishna Subbiah,
a Brahmin and Ragunatha Mapana Muthaliyar, a government
official in 1749, the Kumaran temple was reconstructed in
its original site in Kurukkal Valavu with little changes
of its architecture. |