Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil or Nallur Murugan Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Jaffna District. It stands in the town of Nallur. The presiding deity is Lord Murugan in the form of the holy Vel. The temple was built in the 15th century by Sanpaha Perumal the adopted son of Bhuvanekababhu, the king of Kotte, who led an expedition to the North and brought Jaffna under the suzerainty of Kotte after Kalinga Magha invasion in 1215 AD. The temple is a socially important institution for the Sri Lankan Tamils and Hindu identity of North Sri Lanka. Nallur is the epitome of punctuality, order and neatness, and provides a model for all Saiva temples. Above all, it is the manner in which religious ceremonies are conducted with such impeccable timing and strict discipline that makes it a favourite amongst devotees.
