Etymology Keeri in Tamil and
nagula in
Sanskrit mean "
mongoose".
Keeri-malai in Tamil means "Mongoose-Hill". The temple is situated adjacent to the mineral water springs. The legendary sage
Nagula Muni, shrunk by age and austerity while meditating at a cave in Keerimalai was likened to mongooses that frequented the area. The sage bathed in the springs and was cured of his mongoose face. In gratitude, Nagula Muni constructed a small shrine and worshipped the
Lingam enshrined there. This became known as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai and also the Naguleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai alluding to the sage.
Development Naguleswaram temple of Kankesanthurai was restored during the reign of
Prince Vijaya of
Vanga (543-505 BCE). One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost shrine on the island of the
Pancha Ishwarams of Lord
Siva, venerated by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus around the world from classical antiquity. Its adjacent
water tank, the Keerimalai Springs attribution to curative properties has been related in irrigation scientific studies to its high mineral content, sourced from underground.
Mahakumbhabhishekam in 2012 On Monday 6 February 2012, a major reconstruction of the temple was completed under the authority of the chief priest, Sivasri Naguleswara Kurukkal, and Naguleswaram's Mahakumbhabhishekam took place. It was a monumental event with thousands of devotees who came to pray and receive blessings. ==Gallery==