Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil (කොච්චිකඩේ සිවන් කෝවිල)

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Inner halls of Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil

Hidden behind a modest arch near St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade lies Sri Lanka’s largest granite kovil— the awe-inspiring Kochchikade Sivan Kovil. With its unpainted gopuram of intricate carvings, 200 granite pillars, and a cool, dim interior that contrasts the blazing streets outside, it stands as a timeless masterpiece of Hindu devotion and artistry.

Passing the well-known St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, one might notice a modest arched kovil entrance that leads to an unexpected treasure: the Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil. Beyond the entrance lies the largest kovil built entirely of granite in Sri Lanka, evoking the grandeur of ancient Polonnaruwa Hindu art and architecture, but on a far more ambitious scale.

Early Construction

The temple’s origins date back to 1857, when Gate Mudaliyar Ponnambalam, inspired by a journey to India, undertook its construction on the advice of religious consultants from both India and Sri Lanka. The original temple, built of brick, was then handed over to the public for religious observances.

Rebuilding in Granite

Years later, his son, the distinguished lawyer and politician Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, sought to transform his father’s creation. After visiting India, he envisioned a granite temple resembling the great shrines he had encountered there. In 1906, construction of the new temple commenced with the expertise of Indian artisans. Eleven years later, in 1917, the remarkable granite kovil was opened to devotees.

Architectural Highlights

The kovil’s most striking feature is its gopuram, a monumental tower adorned with intricate stone carvings of gods, goddesses, celestial beings, and mythological events. Unlike most Sri Lankan kovils, where the gopuram is painted in vibrant colors, this one remains unpainted—its raw granite surface emphasizing the artistry of the carvings.

Inside, around 200 exquisitely carved stone pillars stand in majestic rows, embodying the traditions of Indian temple architecture. The temple has no windows, and natural light enters only through air vents. Stepping inside from the blistering sun into the dimly lit, cool corridors lined with decorated granite pillars in the shadows is in itself a profound and atmospheric experience.

In addition to its main sanctum dedicated to Lord Shiva, the kovil houses shrines for other deities, including Ganapathi, Vishnu, and Mari Amman.

Stone gopuram of Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil

Stone carvings of Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil

Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil

References

Kaluarachchi, S. (2004). කොළඹ පුරාණය (Ancient Colombo). Sooriya Publishers.

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Driving Directions to Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil

Route from Fort Railway Station to Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Sivan Kovil

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