Nallur (Jaffna)
Encyclopedia
Nallur , is a small holy town within the present day city of Jaffna
, Sri Lanka
. It is located 3 km away from the colour and bustle of Jaffna
Town. Originally known by its Royal term "Singai Nagar", Nallur formerly functioned as the capital of the ancient Jaffna kingdom
for many years during the Aryacakravarti dynasty. However much of the grace and grandeur which once flourished the town no longer exists, as a result of the portugeese conquest in 1619. This turbulent period witnessed a myriad of incidents , deliberately perpetrated by the portugeese to put a halt to the spread of Hinduism
but most importantly mark the beginning of a new era, where conversion to Roman Catholicism would be favoured.
At the core heart of Nallur is the iconic Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, noted by Sri lankan`s for its intricate Dravidian Architecture
, rich ornate jewellery and inscrutable miracle enigmas. It is precisely Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil imposing presence why Nallur is reputedly renowned for its prestige, amoungst not only the City of Jaffna
, but the whole of the Northern Peninsula alike; this sense of importance is reflected by the residence who inhabit the town - being predominantly that of eminent social castes such as Brahmin
, Chettiar
and Vellalar
figures who had lived in Nallur, such as Chellappa Swami, Kadai Swami and temporarily even Yogaswami
. Theese men all endured bare modest lives, in hope of completely engaging with God and receiving Moksha
(enlightenment), which they most certainly did. As a result they were obliged to fulfil their duties by teaching spiritual discipline and sharing their wisdom and knowledge to other people, despite however reluctant they were to accept.
Jaffna
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. It is located 3 km away from the colour and bustle of Jaffna
Jaffna
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical...
Town. Originally known by its Royal term "Singai Nagar", Nallur formerly functioned as the capital of the ancient Jaffna kingdom
Jaffna Kingdom
The Jaffna kingdom , also known as Kingdom of Aryacakravarti, of modern northern Sri Lanka was a historic monarchy that came into existence around the town of Jaffna on the Jaffna peninsula after the invasion of Magha, who is said to have been from Kalinga, in India...
for many years during the Aryacakravarti dynasty. However much of the grace and grandeur which once flourished the town no longer exists, as a result of the portugeese conquest in 1619. This turbulent period witnessed a myriad of incidents , deliberately perpetrated by the portugeese to put a halt to the spread of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
but most importantly mark the beginning of a new era, where conversion to Roman Catholicism would be favoured.
At the core heart of Nallur is the iconic Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, noted by Sri lankan`s for its intricate Dravidian Architecture
Dravidian architecture
Dravidian architecture was a style of architecture that emerged thousands of years ago in Southern part of the Indian subcontinent or South India. They consist primarily of pyramid shaped temples called Koils which are dependent on intricate carved stone in order to create a step design consisting...
, rich ornate jewellery and inscrutable miracle enigmas. It is precisely Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil imposing presence why Nallur is reputedly renowned for its prestige, amoungst not only the City of Jaffna
Jaffna
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical...
, but the whole of the Northern Peninsula alike; this sense of importance is reflected by the residence who inhabit the town - being predominantly that of eminent social castes such as Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
, Chettiar
Chettiar
Chettiar , also spelled Chetty, is a title used by various castes in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. In Kannada, it appears as Setty, Shettar and Shettigar, who are Padmashalis in Andhra Pradesh....
and Vellalar
Vellalar
Vellalars were, originally, an elite caste of Tamil agricultural landlords in Tamil Nadu, Kerala states in India and in neighbouring Sri Lanka; they were the nobility, aristocracy of the ancient Tamil order and had close relations with the different royal dynasties...
Swami
Not only is Nallur esteemed to be associated with divinity due to the various historic temples erected, but it was also owing to prominent GuruGuru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
figures who had lived in Nallur, such as Chellappa Swami, Kadai Swami and temporarily even Yogaswami
Yogaswami
Jnanaguru Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna was Sri Lanka's most renowned 20th-century spiritual master, a Śivajnani and a natha siddhar revered by both Hindus and Buddhists...
. Theese men all endured bare modest lives, in hope of completely engaging with God and receiving Moksha
Moksha
Within Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
(enlightenment), which they most certainly did. As a result they were obliged to fulfil their duties by teaching spiritual discipline and sharing their wisdom and knowledge to other people, despite however reluctant they were to accept.
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See also
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
- VallipuramVallipuramVallipuram was an ancient capital of Northern Kingdoms of Sri Lanka. Point Pedro is the nearest town. Vallipuram is a part of Thunnalai.This place is settled by migrants from a town called Vallipuram near Namakkal which is near Coimbatore. Naga names are found in India. Nagpur, Nagar Kovil,...
- Nainativu
- KantharodaiKantharodai-See also:*Nallur *Vallipuram*Naguleswaram temple*Nainativu*Kudiramalai...