Chilaw is a large town in the Puttalam District of Sri Lankas North Western Province. The destination is locally known for its 3 Cs; namely coconuts, crabs, and Coreas (freedom fighters Charles Edgar Corea & Victor Corea who, with the help of Mahatma Gandhi, founded the Chilaw Association and the Ceylon National Congress). But it is its religious significance that makes it such an important tourist destination.

The destination is known for its Manavari & Munneswaram temples that are a part of the Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka.

Munishwaram Temple

It is believed that Munishwaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Munishwaram means the first temple for Shiva (Munnu + Easwaran). A Shiva Lingam was already here when Lord Rama visited this place after his victorious battle – left for Ayodhya with Maa Sita in one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by Bramhaasthi Dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin.

He stopped the Vimana at this juncture and asked god Lord Shiva for advice. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying at four lingams  located at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and  Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham. The first lingam was installed at Manavari about 5km from here, near the banks of the  Deduru Oya. At the Manavari Temple Chilaw Manavari is the first lingam installed  and prayed by Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in world named after Lord Rama.