Overview
A Shiva temple at Bangadeniya on the Deduru Oya, north of Chilaw, where devotional tradition holds that Rama installed and worshipped the first Shiva lingam after defeating Ravana, in atonement for the killing of a brahmin.
History
No date was found in any source consulted, and no non-devotional source was found at all. Everything available is pilgrimage and tourism material repeating the same foundation narrative. This page therefore records a living devotional tradition, not an established history, and should not be read as the latter.
Spiritual Significance
If the tradition is accepted, this is the original Ramalingam, which would make it one of the most significant Rama-associated sites anywhere. It is a fixed stop on the Ramayana Trail itineraries that bring Indian pilgrims to Sri Lanka.
Prayers at Manavari Temple (Ramalingeswaram)
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा
जय गणेश गिरिजा सुवन, मंगल मूल सुजान। कहत अयोध्यादास तुम, देहु अभय वरदान॥
जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजंगतुंगमालिकाम्।
नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम्।
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम्।
नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय।
Pilgrimage Information
Current status: Active, described by tour operators as a working temple on Ramayana Trail itineraries.
Check festival dates and local conditions close to the date of travel.
Sources
About this page
Researched and written by YatraBeyond from published sources, and not yet confirmed by the temple. Facts here are cross-checked against at least two independent sources, never written from memory, and every source is listed above.
Last reviewed by us: 2026-09-17. Timings, entry rules and access can change without notice; treat anything time-sensitive as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
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