Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil
Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil
Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil
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4.0
359 reviews
Excellent
142
Very good
152
Average
56
Poor
7
Terrible
2
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,632 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Located near the Lotus Tower, we visited this Hindu Temple next. Like any Hidu temples, we were asked to take off our shoes as soon as we entered the compound. I thought we would only take off our shoes when we enter inside the temples.
We hurriedly took some pictures here and left. The ground is rough and hot for us to take off our shoes outside of the temples.
We hurriedly took some pictures here and left. The ground is rough and hot for us to take off our shoes outside of the temples.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Easily reachable, just behind the Fort Railway Station, you'll find the Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil, or simply the "Hindu Temple". This is the oldest and largest hindu temple in Colombo and is dedicated to the Gods Shiva and Ganesh. A visit is a must and is included in most Colombo tours. Its monumental towers, very elaborated, with hundreds of colorful ornaments will delight your eyes and memories. Enjoy!
Written 26 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SOH KIEN PENG
Singapore, Singapore9,284 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
I was staying at a hostel at Vauxhall Street. Each time, I walked from the Colombo Fort Train Station to Slave Island and my hostel, I will pass by this Hindu Temple.
I came from Singapore and there are many similar Hindu temples in Singapore. Whether the presiding God of the temple is Lord Ganesh or Lord Shiva or Lord Murugan or Lord Krishna, the architectural designs of most Hindu temples are uniquely of a standard template, much influenced by the designs from the South India Hindu temples. The outlook of this temple reminds me of Sri Layan Sithi Vinayager Temple, the Lord Ganesh Temple at Keong Siak Road in Singapore.
In Singapore, I don't see the need for temple staff to safe keep the footwear for devotees and in return collect some token of money. Entry to all Hindu Temples in Singapore is free and they are open throughout the day. I was surprised to see the door of this temple locked at few occasions during the day.
While I was amazed at the intricate design of the temple and the strikingly fierce and bold sculptures, I found the paint on some parts of the sculptures was peeling off and not well-maintained. In Singapore, most Hindu temples are well-maintained with regular renovation schedules. The façade of most Hindu temples in Singapore look freshly with brightly colorful paint coated on the sculptures and thus look appealing. Even the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore - the Sri Mariamman Temple (built in 1827) has just undergone another renovation and attracted many tourists to visit it. It was also declared a national monument by the Singapore authorities and thus well taken care of by the government.
This temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo. I am not sure if it is designated a national monument. I understand that the temple was historically built by a group of rich Indian Chetti merchants. It is now 200 years old and should be regularly upgraded and maintained with assistance from the authorities.
I came from Singapore and there are many similar Hindu temples in Singapore. Whether the presiding God of the temple is Lord Ganesh or Lord Shiva or Lord Murugan or Lord Krishna, the architectural designs of most Hindu temples are uniquely of a standard template, much influenced by the designs from the South India Hindu temples. The outlook of this temple reminds me of Sri Layan Sithi Vinayager Temple, the Lord Ganesh Temple at Keong Siak Road in Singapore.
In Singapore, I don't see the need for temple staff to safe keep the footwear for devotees and in return collect some token of money. Entry to all Hindu Temples in Singapore is free and they are open throughout the day. I was surprised to see the door of this temple locked at few occasions during the day.
While I was amazed at the intricate design of the temple and the strikingly fierce and bold sculptures, I found the paint on some parts of the sculptures was peeling off and not well-maintained. In Singapore, most Hindu temples are well-maintained with regular renovation schedules. The façade of most Hindu temples in Singapore look freshly with brightly colorful paint coated on the sculptures and thus look appealing. Even the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore - the Sri Mariamman Temple (built in 1827) has just undergone another renovation and attracted many tourists to visit it. It was also declared a national monument by the Singapore authorities and thus well taken care of by the government.
This temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo. I am not sure if it is designated a national monument. I understand that the temple was historically built by a group of rich Indian Chetti merchants. It is now 200 years old and should be regularly upgraded and maintained with assistance from the authorities.
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wizhmazter
Sweden85 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We walked for 2 km just to see this amazing building with all the faces on the outside. We took some pictures outside, and then a man came and said he could show us inside the temple. At first he was very friendly and told us about the things inside, but then he started to ask for money for different things. We gave him some, but he kept asking for more. We got disappointed and just wanted to leave, and when we got outside our shoes were gone. Then another man came forward and wanted more money so we could get our shoes back. Okay, but they could have told us before we went inside. If we hade stayed outside and just taking pictures it had been a good experience, but now we just felt disappointed.
Written 5 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rohan R
Colombo, Sri Lanka23 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devashthanam is a kovil hidden inside a bushy surrounding behind the Fort Railway Station. Built 235 years ago (as per their website 1783 AD), it was a family kovil. Apparently, it is the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo. Although it is Sri Kailasanathar, Swami Devashthanam, many still identify it as the kovil at the Captain's Garden. Though I presumed it as an unseen and unknown kovil, we later realized that it is popular even among non-Hindus. The number of Sinhala notices displayed there makes it obvious.
Visiting times to be noted.it is from 6 am to 10 am and then 5 pm to 9 pm on all days.
Anyone can visit the temple irrespective of different religions, however show respect by modest dress and removing footwear when entering the temple compound. You will see great architecture & carvings. If you want to take photographs you may have to get permission from temple authorities. It is a peaceful place away from city and you will feel that you had visited a holy place.
The entrance to the road leading to the kovil is near the famous second-hand bookstores at D. R. Wijewerdene Mawatha.The newly built Lotus tower is a land mark on the opposite side of the main road. Turn from the main road and kovil Veethi, leads to the kovil over the Fort railway lines. As soon as you take a right turn from the kovil Veethi, to the kovil grounds, there are two kovils in the vicinity; a new building and an old colour-faded building. According to the kovil Manager, the faded building is the Ganapathi Kovil and the new-fangled building is the Easwaran Kovil.
"Easwaran kovils usually have shrines for almost every god," said the manager. If you were happy of the visit, if you like you can give a small donation (according to your means) to the Kovil or temple office and obtain a receipt. By doing this you’re helping the temple construction & maintenance to keep the place neat & tidy. You will be blessed by presiding Gods even if you’re not a Hindu.
Good luck on your visit.
Visiting times to be noted.it is from 6 am to 10 am and then 5 pm to 9 pm on all days.
Anyone can visit the temple irrespective of different religions, however show respect by modest dress and removing footwear when entering the temple compound. You will see great architecture & carvings. If you want to take photographs you may have to get permission from temple authorities. It is a peaceful place away from city and you will feel that you had visited a holy place.
The entrance to the road leading to the kovil is near the famous second-hand bookstores at D. R. Wijewerdene Mawatha.The newly built Lotus tower is a land mark on the opposite side of the main road. Turn from the main road and kovil Veethi, leads to the kovil over the Fort railway lines. As soon as you take a right turn from the kovil Veethi, to the kovil grounds, there are two kovils in the vicinity; a new building and an old colour-faded building. According to the kovil Manager, the faded building is the Ganapathi Kovil and the new-fangled building is the Easwaran Kovil.
"Easwaran kovils usually have shrines for almost every god," said the manager. If you were happy of the visit, if you like you can give a small donation (according to your means) to the Kovil or temple office and obtain a receipt. By doing this you’re helping the temple construction & maintenance to keep the place neat & tidy. You will be blessed by presiding Gods even if you’re not a Hindu.
Good luck on your visit.
Written 19 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabella
Dubai, United Arab Emirates206 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
Hindu temple in Colombo, must visit to see the beauty. Colorful.. It’s humongous entrance is staged at all heights and carved with a variety of god images. Lovely photos.
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie D
Melbourne, Australia178 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
A great quick place to visit. Off the beaten track and completed as part of a tut tut. Did not go inside as was closed.
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Saleh Bakar
Lahore, Pakistan181 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
A good place to visit. their are many places to stay around and eat. its on main road and near to the sea shore as well.
Tuk Tuk is the Main source of commuting around Colombo but always use UBER app or Meter Tuk Tuk. You can use Bus as well and before boarding the bus ask the Conductor about your destination.
Tuk Tuk is the Main source of commuting around Colombo but always use UBER app or Meter Tuk Tuk. You can use Bus as well and before boarding the bus ask the Conductor about your destination.
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunsetmomo
Zagreb, Croatia160 contributions
Feb 2019
We did not enter the Temple because it was closed, but it is impressive from the outside. So many details tell the story, such amazing colors vibrating. Worth visiting even passing by.
Written 21 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maloukrowicki
Aarhus, Denmark247 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
It’s about 200 rs for the visit and if you’re lucky you get to experience a ceremony. Be aware you can’t replay access the temple by foot you need to take a tuk tuk.
The temple needs restoration but it’s still worth a visit.
The temple needs restoration but it’s still worth a visit.
Written 7 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The address and the location shown in the map are different. Both locations have Kovils. Reviews are now mixed up with the locations. Can anyone from Tripadvisor please correct this.
Written 25 June 2018
Well, Tried to correct in Google maps, hope it will be visible to others
Written 10 July 2018
mzbecks07
Stanford, California
67 contributions
They ask you to take off your hat while in front of a buddha statue but headscarves are permitted.
Written 16 May 2018
Does this temple have animal sacrifice???
Written 18 July 2017
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