SHIVA, Trincomalee (Cave of)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A sacrifice pit or chasm in the rock (temple cave) dedicated to Shiva (note 1) is found at the Koneswaram kovil on the Konesar Malai or Swami Rock and Swamy Rock (note 2): … the giddy height of the farthest rock that rises over the dark and fathomless ocean (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 44) at the base of the precipice of Trinkomalee (note 3). SITUATION 2003: At the end of the road veering left up through the fort is Swami Rock, also known as 'lovers leap' [note 4], which drops sharply about 130 m to the sea below. A Hindu temple, the Koneswaram Kovil, occupies the end of the spit; you must leave your shoes at the foot of the steps leading to the temple itself (LONELY PLANET 2003: 259). SITUATION 1840: … on the precipice of Trinkomalee and on the giddy height of the farthest rock that rises over the dark and fathomless ocean (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 44). CAVE DESCRIPTION: … a chasm in the rock, which is believed to be the residence of the spirit … (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 45), i.. Shiva, the Hindu god. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The priest (a Brahmin), having his head encircled by a string of large beads, and a yellow cloth bound round his loins, placed himself a few minutes before sunset on the giddy height of the farthest rock that rises over the dark and fathomless ocean: Of the votaries, some were perched amongst the dangerous crags; while the more timid or less devout knelt, prostrated themselves, or reclined in safety, on the short grass which clothes the promontory. The priest, after performing his ablutions, placed himself in various picturesque attitudes; and occasionally, as he dropped some betel-leaves or rice into the sea, bowed himself with great apparent reverence towards a chasm in the rock, which is believed to be the residence of the spirit, the object of his worship. After the sun had gone down, the Brahmin gracefully waved a censer, then held it at the full stretch of his arm above his head, while the incense flamed up, flickered, and diappeared; then, as the perfume spread around, he concluded his incantations by casting a cocoa-nut into the ocean, and receiving the offerings on behalf of Eiswara [note 5] (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 44-45).. Shiva, the Hindu god. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The priest (a Brahmin), having his head encircled by a string of large beads, and a yellow cloth bound round his loins, placed himself a few minutes before sunset on the giddy height of the farthest rock that rises over the dark and fathomless ocean: Of the votaries, some were perched amongst the dangerous crags; while the more timid or less devout knelt, prostrated themselves, or reclined in safety, on the short grass which clothes the promontory. The priest, after performing his ablutions, placed himself in various picturesque attitudes; and occasionally, as he dropped some betel-leaves or rice into the sea, bowed himself with great apparent reverence towards a chasm in the rock, which is believed to be the residence of the spirit, the object of his worship. After the sun had gone down, the Brahmin gracefully waved a censer, then held it at the full stretch of his arm above his head, while the incense flamed up, flickered, and di. Shiva, the Hindu god. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The priest (a Brahmin), having his head encircled by a string of large beads, and a yellow cloth bound round his loins, placed himself a few minutes before sunset on the giddy height of the farthest rock that rises over the dark and fathomless ocean: Of the votaries, some were perched amongst the dangerous crags; while the more timid or less devout knelt, prostrated themselves, or reclined in safety, on the short grass which clothes the promontory. The priest, after performing his ablutions, placed himself in various picturesque attitudes; and occasionally, as he dropped some betel-leaves or rice into the sea, bowed himself with great apparent reverence towards a chasm in the rock, which is believed to be the residence of the spirit, the object of his worship. After the sun had gone down, the Brahmin gracefully waved a censer, then held it at the full stretch of his arm above his head, while the incense flamed up, flickered, and diappeared; then, as the perfume spread around, he concluded his incantations by casting a cocoa-nut into the ocean, and receiving the offerings on behalf of Eiswara [note 5] (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 44-45).