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.