Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman temple is an ancient Hindu temple located on the island of Nainativu Sri Lanka. This temple is dedicated to the Parvati it is also known as the Nagapooshani. And lord Shiva is named here as Nayinaar. The fame of the temple is dedicated to the Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya is a 9th-century Hindu philosopher. The temple is a significant symbol of the Tamil people. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1920. Day 1000 visitors come to the temple. During the festival time, the temple attracts 5000 visitors per day. The month of Aani(June/July) attracts over 100,000 pilgrims. There are an estimated 1000 Sculptures in this newly renovated temple.
History
The Nagapooshani Amman temple is believed to have been established by Lord Indra. As per the epic Mahabharata, Lord Indra fulfilled his sexual desire for Ahalya. Ahalya was the wife of Gautama Maharishi. Indra starts making love with Ahalya. When Gautama came to know about this he cursed Indra to have a thousand marks resembling the yoni all over his body. Indra was unable to face Humiliation.
He went to exile on the island of Nainativu. Their Indra created, consecrated, and worshipped the moolasthan murti of Goddess to atone for his sins. The queen of the universe Bhuvaneswari Amman satisfied with Indra’s utmost devotion repentance and remorse appeared before him and transformed Yonis on his body into eyes. She then took on the name of Indrakshi. As per another legend many centuries ago a cobra was swimming across the sea with the lotus flower In its mouth.
An eagle attacked the cobra and attempted to kill it. Fearing harm from the eagle the cobra wound itself around the rock. In the sea about half a kilometer from the nainativu the eagle stood on another rock. A merchant was sailing across the Palk strait to Naka Nadu he noticed the eagle and he pleaded with the eagle to let the cobra go on without any harm. The eagle agreed upon one condition that the merchant should construct a built temple for Sri Bhuveanswari Amman on the island of the nainativu. The merchant agreed and built a beautiful temple accordingly.
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Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple Worship
There are 15 priests in the temple who perform the rituals during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other, Shiva temples the priests belong to the Shivaite Adishaivas a Brahmin sub-caste. The priests live in a closed area of Northeast of the temple. The temple has a six-time pooja every day.
Festivals
The most important festival of this temple is the 16-day-long mahostavam which is celebrated annually in the Tamil month of Aani(June/July). There are a number of events including the swarna rahoisavam. Major festivals like Navratri and Shivratri attract thousands of devotees.
Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple Darshan Timing
| Morning Timing | Evening Timing |
| 6.00 A.M to 1.30 P.M | 4.30 P.M to 6.00 P.M |
