Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam
Sri Lanka · Sri Lanka travel guide
Sacred Hindu
One of Sri Lanka’s most significant Hindu temples, famous for its grand architecture and annual festival celebrations.
Plan your visit
| Time to spend | About 1.5 h (1–2.5 h) |
|---|---|
| Best time of day | 4:30–6:15 PM — evening puja with nadaswaram and drums |
| Avoid | 12–3 PM — temple closed midday and hot |
| Best months | Feb–Sep |
| Months to avoid | Nov–Dec |
| Entry fee | Free entry |
| Opening hours | Mon–Thu: 4:15–5:15 AM, 7:30 AM–12 PM, 3–6:15 PM; Fri: 4:15 AM–12 PM, 3–6:15 PM; Sat–Sun: 4:15–5:15 AM, 7:30 AM–12 PM, 3–6:15 PM |
| Setting | Indoor & outdoor |
| Effort | Easy |
| Good for | Families, Elderly, Couples, Solo, Groups |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 on Google (5,205 reviews) |
The 25-day Nallur festival (July-Aug) is spectacular but extremely crowded; Nov-Dec is the north-east monsoon.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need at Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam?
Most visitors spend about 1.5 h; 1–2.5 h depending on pace.
What is the best time to visit Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam?
4:30–6:15 PM, for evening puja with nadaswaram and drums. The best months are Feb–Sep.
What is the entry fee for Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam?
Entry is free.
What are the timings of Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam?
Mon–Thu: 4:15–5:15 AM, 7:30 AM–12 PM, 3–6:15 PM; Fri: 4:15 AM–12 PM, 3–6:15 PM; Sat–Sun: 4:15–5:15 AM, 7:30 AM–12 PM, 3–6:15 PM.
Is there a dress code at Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam?
Men go bare-chested inside; women cover shoulders and knees; remove footwear
More things to do in Sri Lanka
- Sigiriya
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
- Ruwanweli Maha Seya
- Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple
- Jetavanaramaya
- Thirukoneswaram Kovil
- Fort Frederick
- Minneriya National Park