| Ukanthai Murugan Kovil | |
|---|---|
உகந்தமலை ஸ்ரீ முருகன் ஆலயம் | |
 View of Valli Amman Kovil from Swamimalai | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Ampara |
| Location | |
| State | Eastern |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
  Location in Sri Lanka | |
| Coordinates | 6°39′0″N81°46′0″E / 6.65000°N 81.76667°E /6.65000; 81.76667 |
| Designations | |
|---|---|
| Designated | 10 October 2014 |
Ukanthamalai Murugan Kovil (also known asUkanthai Murugan Kovil,Okanda Devalaya) (Tamil:உகந்தமலை முருகன் ஆலயம்,Sinhala:ඕකන්ද කතරගම දේවාලය) is the well known ancientHindu temple situated in theOkanda,Ampara District ofEastern Sri Lanka, about 145 km south ofBatticaloa town. This alluring temple dedicated toLord Murugan in the heart ofKumana forest is a main stand for the devotees performing pilgrimage toKatirkamam through dense jungle. In places like Pânama and Kumana, which are close to Ukantai, Tamils and Sinhalese lived in harmony even down to the present day.
Since Lord Murugan is always linked with mountains, SomeTamil folklore tell that ukanthamalai got its name as it is the most "ukantha" (உகந்த, litt. "congenial") place of Lord Murugan.[1] According to another folklore this place is believed to be the location whereSkanda Kumara landed on the shore of Okanda withValli Amma in a golden boat. The boat is said to be turned into a rock known as the "Ran Oru Gala" which still visible on the Okanda beach.[2]
So many folklores bring the antiquity of Ukanthai Temple toKatirkamam. It attracted the Katirkamam pilgrims from immemorial time.[citation needed] The top of the hillock has been cited as one of the places where a divine katir /Vel from Lord Skanda struck.Veddas preserved the sanctity of the place with a simple shrine of stick and ola leaves. According to another myth, the third spear from the hand of Lord Murugan reached here and came to rest on this hilltop, making it a favorite site for Murukan worship. There is yet a third myth according to which, Murugan and his sweet heart Valli arrived in stone boats (which still rest on the beach) to reside on top of the Ukanthai Malai.[3]
There was a small hut made with loose stones for the "Vel" at the top of the hill from very long time.[citation needed] British diaries confirm that this was a notable Hindu shrine even in the 1800s.[4][failed verification] It is believed that, a Hindu sage named "Giri", from North India looked after this temple.[citation needed] A famous merchant fromJaffna "Markkandu Mudaliyar" lived inBatticaloa erected a small building for housing the Vel in 1885. "Muthiyanse Bandara Mahataya" fromPanamai was appointed by him, as the "Vannakkar" (litt. Caretaker) of the temple along with the priest "Kaliyappan", from Kolavil village.[5][better source needed]
A pilgrims' rest was also built by Markkandu Mudaliyar which was burnt many years ago.[6] Temple faced to its first "Kumbapishegam" (Baptism ofHindu temple) in 1908 followed by two other Kumbapishegams in 2002 and 2014.
The main shrine of Lord Murugan is situated in the bottom of the Ukanthai with a majestic sanctum pagoda surrounded by small chapels dedicated toPillaiyar,Naga Tambiran,Navagraham andVairavar. The golden spear of Lord Murugan standing in the sanctum cannot be ever seen as the sanctum is always covered with a screen.[citation needed]
Ukanthai is divided into two hillocks called as Swamimalai and Vallimalai since they have two shrines forVelswami andValli Amman at top of them respectively. Naturally formed seven excavations are in these two hillocks and the "Saravana poigai" - the natural spring in front of Valli Amman Kovil is esteemed by the devotees and they believe that this spring was formed by the "Vel" of Lord Murugan. In the bottom of the Swamimalai, there is another chapel for Pillaiyar.[citation needed]
Okanda Beach is about 100 m southwards of the main shrine of Murugan and there was a boat - like rock is situated in the shore which i.s already mentioned above. Another hillock near the beach called as "Kallu vacha Malai" (கல்லு வச்ச மலை - litt. "Stone placing mountain") is another place of worship where devotees place a "kallu" - stone with prayers for fulfilling their wishes. the naturally formed foot - like excavations are believed to belongs to Murugan and Valli.[citation needed]
Annual Festival of Ukanthai is simultaneously occurring with Katirkamam festival falling on mid July - August Full moon day. "TeertaUtsavam" (the final Sea bathing cult of festival) is carried out duringTiruvonam star of Hindupanchangam.
