So many folklores bring the antiquity of Ukanthai Temple to Katirkamam.
It attracted the Katirkamam pilgrims from immemorial time.
The top of the hillock has been cited as one of the places where a divine katir / Vel from Lord Skanda struck.
Veddas preserved the sanctity of the place with a simple shrine of stick and ola leaves.
According to another myth, the third spear from the hand of Lord Murugan reached here and came to rest on this hilltop, making it a favorite site for Murukan worship.
There is yet a third myth according to which, Murugan and his sweet heart Valli arrived in stone boats (which still rest on the beach) to reside on top of the Ukanthai Malai.

There was a small hut made with loose stones for the "Vel" at the top of the hill from very long time.
British diaries confirm that this was a notable Hindu shrine even in the 1800s.
 It is believed that, a Hindu sage named "Giri", from North India looked after this temple.
A famous merchant from Jaffna "Markkandu Mudaliyar" lived in Batticaloa erected a small building for housing the Vel in 1885. "
Muthiyanse Bandara Mahataya" from Panamai was appointed by him, as the "Vannakkar" (litt.
Caretaker) of the temple along with the priest "Kaliyappan", from Kolavil village.

A pilgrims' rest was also built by Markkandu Mudaliyar  which was burnt many years ago.
Temple faced to its first "Kumbapishegam" (Baptism of Hindu temple) in 1908 followed by two other Kumbapishegams in 2002 and 2014.
So many folklores bring the antiquity of Ukanthai Temple to Katirkamam. It attracted the Katirkamam pilgrims from immemorial time. The top of the hillock has been cited as one of the places where a divine katir / Vel from Lord Skanda struck. Veddas preserved the sanctity of the place with a simple shrine of stick and ola leaves. According to another myth, the third spear from the hand of Lord Murugan reached here and came to rest on this hilltop, making it a favorite site for Murukan worship. There is yet a third myth according to which, Murugan and his sweet heart Valli arrived in stone boats (which still rest on the beach) to reside on top of the Ukanthai Malai.
There was a small hut made with loose stones for the "Vel" at the top of the hill from very long time. British diaries confirm that this was a notable Hindu shrine even in the 1800s.  It is believed that, a Hindu sage named "Giri", from North India looked after this temple. A famous merchant from Jaffna "Markkandu Mudaliyar" lived in Batticaloa erected a small building for housing the Vel in 1885. "Muthiyanse Bandara Mahataya" from Panamai was appointed by him, as the "Vannakkar" (litt. Caretaker) of the temple along with the priest "Kaliyappan", from Kolavil village.
A pilgrims' rest was also built by Markkandu Mudaliyar  which was burnt many years ago. Temple faced to its first "Kumbapishegam" (Baptism of Hindu temple) in 1908 followed by two other Kumbapishegams in 2002 and 2014.
Ukanthamalai Murugan Kovil