BROKEN TEMPLESTHE SUBCONTINENT ATLAS
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Munneswaram

A Shiva temple with documented destruction and repeated renewal.

Near Chilaw · North Western Province

LAST DOCUMENTED CONDITION

Rebuilt

As documented: 2026-09-28
LOCATION PRECISION

Approximate locality

7.5808°, 79.8167° · not a surveyed footprint

How to read this history

AI-assisted source review: 2026-09-28. Independent specialist review: not completed.

The recorded chronology

Selected episodes. Rebuilding and later changes are distinguished from damage.

  1. Destruction · intentional causeOpen this episode on the map ↗

    1578 AD

    Veluppillai dates the razing of the temple by Portuguese soldiers to 1578.

    eventSupported in consulted sources

    Veluppillai dates the razing of the temple by Portuguese soldiers to 1578.

    dateSupported in consulted sources

    1578

    actorSupported in consulted sources

    Portuguese colonial forces

  2. Destruction · intentional causeOpen this episode on the map ↗

    Early 17th century AD · approximate

    A further Portuguese destruction is reported in the reference article.

    eventAttributed · further checking needed

    A further Portuguese destruction is reported in the reference article.

    The numerical filter window 1600–1639 is an editorial encoding of “early 17th century”; Bastin’s underlying pages have not been checked.

    dateAttributed · further checking needed

    Early 17th century · approximate

    actorAttributed · further checking needed

    Portuguese colonial forces

  3. Rebuilding · not-applicable causeOpen this episode on the map ↗

    1753 AD

    Restoration under Kirti Sri Rajasinha culminated in a consecration ceremony.

    eventSupported in consulted sources

    Restoration under Kirti Sri Rajasinha culminated in a consecration ceremony.

    dateSupported in consulted sources

    1753

    actorSupported in consulted sources

    Kirti Sri Rajasinha

Location & last documented condition

locationSupported in consulted sources

Approximate locality marker; the point is not a surveyed historical footprint.

present conditionSupported in consulted sources

The temple’s official site documents a functioning place of worship.

Source context

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References are discovery leads unless marked as consulted.

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