Sri Kailawasanatan Swami Temple is a hidden kovil (temple) located behind Sri Lanka’s main railway station at Fort. Built during the Portuguese era, it was originally a family kovil and is known as the first Kovil, making it the oldest to be built in Colombo and an important heritage Hindu temple in Colombo. Although it is called Sri Kailawasanatan Swami Temple, many still identify it and mistake it as the kovil in the Captain’s Garden area.
As an Eswaran (Shiva) shrine, this kovil features statues, intricate carvings, and murals of the Hindu pantheon. This means visitors get an opportunity to see a host of statues, carvings and paintings dedicated to all gods in the religion, a truly inspiring experience.
Above the entrance is an overwhelming pyramid-shaped tower adorned with literally hundreds of brightly-colored figures and gods from Hindu theology, all intentionally positioned to convey messages from Hindu scripture, overwhelming when you first see it. The South-Indian inspired architecture of this temple, as well as the beautiful and bright paintings, and detailed artwork, especially on the ceiling, is magnificent. The complex around the Kovil is also home to several newer kovils being built here.
Built primarily to honour the Gods Shiva and Ganesh, the temple however, has a place for almost every god known in the Hindu religion, making it an impressive sight.
The main tower and the inner sanctum roof murals are the most impressive with ornate and intricate stone masterpieces, sculptures and art.
The kovil is also a popular place for hindu marriage ceremonies and is also the starting point for the famous “Vel” ceremony procession which features the colourfully decorated “Vel” cart (a trident shaped decorated cart) and other icons of worship and importance taken in grand procession during the festival months of March and August.
Visitors are required to remove their footwear and wash their feet before entering the temple.
Photography inside the temple is prohibited without prior approval.
Dress respectfully as per the temple decorum
Note: Please note to remove footwear to enter the temple and dress appropriately to respect this sacred place of worship.
Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil
Sri Murugan St
Colombo – 01
Sri Lanka.
Contact phone: (+94) 112687110
Email: kovil@srikaileswaram.com
Hours of Operation: Daily 6am – 10am and 5 pm – 9pm