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Its
ancient name as entered the mythologies is Thirukkonamalai but the
Britishers due to inadequacy of the Phonemes in their language and
lack of vocal flexibility spelt and pronounced many of the Indian
names as they like to suit their convenience, like Ujjain as Augin,
Ajantha as Adjuntee, Sirajud Doula as Sir Roger Doule, Allahabad as
Isle of Boats, Lakshmanapur as Luckypur; Tungabhadra as Toom Bandra;
Sundaravanas as Sundry bunds etc. etc. etc. Among such Anglicised
ones, Tirukkonamalai is one which became Trincomalee. This place is
blessed with a Siva Thirukkovil and is located on a hill at the
eastern sea shore of Srilanka. According to Puranas, this grand
shrine was very popular and extxemely holy as many Sivalilas were
demonstrated in the dim past. It is deemed to be one of the three
peaks of Kailas and considered as the Dhakshina Kailas. Among the
Navalars, Sambandar paid rich tributes to the presiding deity and
described its superb location and its glory elaborately. The whole
region was redolent of Saivism and Tamil culture. It still retains
its former glory, as regular worship according to Agamas is
performed and periodical festivals and celebrated with great
religious fervor. This shrine houses all the important icons, like
Mother Parvathi, Ganesh, Murugan, Nandi, Dhakshinamurti in grand and
befitting niches. For Ceylonese Tamils it is the Eh Dorado of
Saivism and they visit more often than not, whenever any auspicious
occasion takes place in their houses. It is more or less a centre of
pilgrimage to them.
It
is accessible from Colombo by train and bus.
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