Several old temples in Batticaloa have several stories that are being told by regional people. However, there are certain temples that have illustrations or stone carvings that tell the story of many significant historical events occured proving the significance of those temples or the deities worshipped.
Mandoor
This is one of the famous temples of Lord Muruga in Batticaloa, that has a significantly different method of worship. This has a custom that is more similar to kataragama temple. The main priest is the one who can enter and do the offerings to the central deity. This chief priest will be tying a white cloth covering his mouth, which is told to keep the holiness of the deity. The interior of this temple is kept a secret that is known only to the chief priests. This temple has a story that when the colonial rulers who came to destroy the temple were stung by a large colony of bees and were chased away.
Kokkaddicholai
Kokkaddicholai Thanthonreeswaram is a famous shiva temple in Batticaloa that is visited by thousands of devotees every year. This temple is known for its famous illustrations on its wall about a significant event. It is believed that when the Portugues rulers tried to insult the temple and to destroy it, the statue of the sacred cow came alive to prove itself, and even ate some grass that has put the rulers in fright and run away. Illustration of this story are painted on the wall of this temple.
Koneshwaram
Koneshwaram temple is situated on top of a mountain that is surrounded by sea is known for its Ravana’s cleft that has a significance from the epic Ramayana. During the colonial period of Sri Lanka, the dutch rulers took custody of this mountain and built the Dutch fort and also destroyed the older temple. This part of the temple, is still remaining behind the rock and that can be viewed while traveling around the mountain on boats.
