Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil
A magnificent Hindu temple to Lord Shiva built entirely of hand-carved South Indian granite, its intricate columns and sculptures a rare masterpiece of stone craft in the city.
Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil, also known as Ramanathan Kovil, sits in Kotahena, Colombo, and stands out as one of the few Hindu temples in Sri Lanka built entirely from solid granite. Its story begins in the mid-19th century, when Ponnambalam Mudaliyar, a local Chetty Street resident, had a temple built at the site to serve Colombo's Hindu community under British rule. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple later passed to Ponnambalam Mudaliyar's son, the independence campaigner Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, in 1905. Source
What makes the kovil especially distinctive is its construction. Unlike most Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, which rarely match the elaborate granite work of their South Indian counterparts, this one was built by temple builders and sculptors descended from generations of craftsmen, following design principles rooted in ancient Hindu Vedic tradition. The result is a striking interior of carved stone pillars and walls, decorated with images of swans, peacocks, cows, and deities, lit mostly by oil lamps, giving the space a dim, atmospheric glow that adds to its sense of sanctity.
Source - Lakpura
Beyond its architecture, the temple remains an active centre of worship, drawing devotees for daily rituals as well as major festivals like Maha Shivaratri and Deepavali, when the kovil is lit with thousands of oil lamps. Tucked into the busy streets of Kotahena, Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil offers a quiet, striking contrast, a solid granite temple built by a patriot's family, standing as both a place of devotion and a small but significant piece of Colombo's layered religious history.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free, donation welcomed
- Opening hours: 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time: During morning or evening puja
Getting there
At Kochchikade in northern Colombo, near St. Anthony's Shrine.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil?
- Free, donation welcomed.
- What are the opening hours at Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil?
- 6:00am to 6:00pm.
- How long should I spend at Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil?
- Plan for 30 to 45 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil?
- During morning or evening puja.
- How do I get to Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil?
- At Kochchikade in northern Colombo, near St. Anthony's Shrine.