Katukele Pillaiar Temple image

Katukele Pillaiar Temple

Hindu temple

😠 The most outrageous and rasist experience I've had in this beautiful country. I was refused the entrance to the temple as I'm a foreigner. Really? I don't think any Gods were racist and the idea of any worship place is to unite, welcome and bless. People often mention Kandy, temple, Kovil, Hindu,


Address

Pillaiyar Kovil, 20000 A1, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka

Contact

+94 812 222 677

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (96 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Kandy (18) temple (13) Kovil (8) Hindu (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Paulina �. 9 months ago on Google
    The most outrageous and rasist experience I've had in this beautiful country. I was refused the entrance to the temple as I'm a foreigner. Really? I don't think any Gods were racist and the idea of any worship place is to unite, welcome and bless.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 DAMITH C. 5 years ago on Google
    At the entrance to the Kandy city as you travel form Colombo we see near the Kandy Police Station, a Hindu Temple popularly known to the Sinhalese as Pillaiyar Kovil dedicated to God Ganesh, the elephant headed son of Siva. The history of the Kandy Pillaiyar Kovil is not known, but it is said that this holy place was founded during the early times of the British rule. The devotees started building a shrine for Ganesh after finding a statue of the God in a well there. According to the tradition, the final day of the four devales (Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama and Pattini) in Kandy starts from the pulleyar Kovil after the water cutting ceremony. Primary Source : “Kandy” By Central Cultural Fund
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Pumi J. 2 years ago on Google
    Non Hindus May be able to visit (as per previous review) but if you’re a foreigner you can not …even for the purposes of worship and puja (not tourism/sightseeing) a very rude old man in the offices today stated this. Hindu temples should be for Hindu worship only surely … and not for discriminating against visitors from another country. It’s so sad that such a wonderful temple should display such blinkered policies. How many foreigners with darker skin are turned away from this temple I wonder? Yet if you’ve got whiter skin… You’ve got no chance!!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 pami j. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful Temple ... BUT managemrnt seriously discriminates against white skin foreigners. Not a tourist wanting to take pictures, but someone corretly dressed and wanting to worship and do puja. Just so so sad
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brian C. 5 years ago on Google
    I traveled here and live near this temple on the same street, and the roof of temple is good landmark for me to remember where to go. It's also a Hindi temple for the local people to pray, or some ceremony here. I'm a traveler, so i didn't stay too long because the respect.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Shanti D. 1 year ago on Google
    Racist and gross energy. Wouldn’t let us in because of the colour of our skin. Not a nice holy place. White Hindus not welcome.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nadhira R. 6 years ago on Google
    Iconic hindu kovi in Kandy. Must visit place in kandy for Hindu traveller. Optional for other travellers. Parking facility available. Over crowded on hindu festival days. Walking distance from Kandy City Car Park* *On peak days

  • 1/5 Lilit H. 2 months ago on Google New
    The security officer told us that the temple was closed, yet it was open, and people were going inside and out. As I can see from other comments, this is a common case for tourists. Very strange, meaningless racist act ...

  • 5/5 ARAVIINTHAN KUMARA S. 11 months ago on Google
    Charriot festival 2023

  • 5/5 Sathis R. 1 year ago on Google
    This kovil near the Kandy Police Station, a Hindu Temple popularly known to the Sinhalese as Pillaiyar Kovil dedicated to God Ganesh

  • 5/5 Miyuru J. 5 years ago on Google
    At the entrance to the Kandy city as you travel form Colombo we see near the Kandy Police Station, a Hindu Temple popularly known to the Sinhalese as Pillaiyar Kovil dedicated to God Ganesh, the elephant headed son of Siva. The history of the Kandy Pillaiyar Kovil is not known, but it is said that this holy place was founded during the early times of the British rule. The devotees started building a shrine for Ganesh after finding a statue of the God in a well there. According to the tradition, the final day of the four devales (Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama and Pattini) in Kandy starts from the pulleyar Kovil after the water cutting ceremony. Primary Source : “Kandy” By Central Cultural Fund

  • 5/5 Naizer M. 1 year ago on Google
    Powerful god all can preach

  • 5/5 Dhivya 1 year ago on Google
    Actually a place to calm you mind and soul Since the 1st time i visit there always got a positive mind and vibe over there and it's really beautiful under the kandy sky

  • 3/5 Jatila M. 1 year ago on Google
    A kovil situated in the heart of Kandy. Many people visit here daily. Parking space available for vehicles.

  • 4/5 Hansimali E. 2 years ago on Google
    Calm place. There are many rituals. Better if they could post information about the Kovil in Sinhala or English language as many non-Hindu people visit there. No any charges to enter the premises. Parking is available. Had to remove shoes and wash feet. One thing I learned is they start worshiping from left hand side and complete the circle around.

  • 5/5 Dineshanth S. 2 years ago on Google
    Very nice temple.

  • 5/5 sasiharan N. 4 years ago on Google
    Large historical and beautiful lord siva temple at the centre of Kandy city eventhough it's called pillayar temple .

  • 5/5 UnKnown G. 4 years ago on Google
    this covil placed on onfront of the kandy police station

  • 5/5 Srivatsa V. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome temple and in such a beautiful town like Kandy. Speechless....

  • 5/5 arjuna g. 4 years ago on Google
    Sacred place. Very famous and powerful kovil

  • 5/5 Priyadarshani De S. 6 years ago on Google
    Famous and Sacred kovil in Kandy. Historical place.

  • 5/5 Yugantha S. 3 years ago on Google
    A hindu temple located close to Kandy police ( along side with Peradeniya road) .Not much information is known about the history of this temple. They conduct nice and colourful annual pooja ceremony. There are few vegetarian restaurants and flower shops also located near the kovil.


Call +94 812 222 677 Open on Google Maps

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