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Colombo Old and New Kathiresan Kovils
Hindu Temple Sea Street Pettah

The Hindu temples of Sea Street Colombo
There are many Hindu temples in Colombo the capital city of Sri Lanka. Some of the best can be seen in the Pettah region of Colombo. Hindu temples are known locally as 'Kovils'.  Take a tuk-tuk to Sea Street. Here you will find two temples. The New Kathiresan Kovil next to the old Kathiresan Temple. They are both dedicated to the war god Murugan sometimes called Skanda. During the annual Hindu Vel festival held in July/August the temples are used as the starting point of the religious procession. A large vel (trident) chariot is dragged to various Hindu kovils temples on Galle Rd in Bambalapitiya, Colombo.

Buddhism is the most popular religion in Sri Lanka not Hinduism. When the Tamil migrant workers from Southern India and other Hindu Merchant traders arrived in the country they also introduced their Hindu religion. Temples were erected so the faithful could prey.

Sea Street is very scruffy. I would have thought that people going to temple would have pride in their place of worship and its surroundings. Buddhist temples are always well cared for. The same can not be said for the Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. They both need cleaning and a new coat of paint. With labour costs so low this should be an easy task. If the temples were more eye catching more tourists would visit and their temple donations would increase. They could then employ a member of staff to keep the outside street clean and clear of rubbish.

The carving on each temple roof is very intricate. They depict the many gods of the Hindu religion. Statues like this helped in religious teaching as when they were built a lot of the congregation were illiterate. Each statue depicted a story or teaching. In contrast to the badly faded painted figures on the temple roof the door pillars give a hint of what the roof could look like if it was well maintained. The vivid colours are delightful and bring the carved figures to life.

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