Sirappar Matam

                                               Matams in Jaffna tradition had been constructed for providing resting facilities to people, traders and devotes, when they used to travel long distance on foot. Among the many madams in Jaffna Shrappar Mattam is such one, is situated near to Keerimalai Junction. It is a monastery and a kind of resting hall for pilgrims in association with Naguleswaram Temple. Vyththilingam monastery is in the west and south. It is architecturally unique among the Saiva monasteries in Sri Lanka.Mr.Katheravelpillai from Manipay had constructed this monastery in 1807. It remains one of our old construction and unique, centuries old and belongs to our heritage line.The four square open yard is situated at the middle of the monastery which extended towards north to south and east to west. Vinayagar temple is in the middle of the Monastery which has many rooms, large halls and structures like long Pial (Thinnai) There take places daily Pooja and reciting Purana regularly. There had been a library consisting useful books and Palm leaf manuscript. There had been accommodation facilities on basis of booking for outsiders and there used to have butter milk in a clay pot to quench visitors thirsty. Arms giving of cooked (Annathanam) rice held daily. People used this hall for taking rest and sharing food after having rituals and bathing for Anthiyaddy ritual (31st memorial days of dead persons). Now , it was damaged by war and is kept as monument.