Dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is one of the most revered Hindu temples in Sri Lanka and a shining example of Dravidian architecture. Its towering gopuram, richly sculpted with gods, demons, and celestial beings, rises like a golden flame against the northern sky. The temple’s inner sanctum is a place of deep spiritual energy, where rituals unfold with rhythm and reverence.

Founded in the 10th century and rebuilt multiple times, the current structure dates to the 18th century and features intricately carved granite pillars, ceremonial halls, and broad courtyards filled with oil lamps and echoes of devotional music. The annual Nallur Festival in August transforms the temple into a vibrant epicenter of faith, with processions, dances, and religious pageantry that stretch across 25 days. Whether visiting during the festival or in quiet hours, the temple exudes a palpable spiritual gravity.