Religion
The Saivites, Protestant Christians and Catholics live in harmony for generations. Compared to other populated villages of the Jaffna peninsula, there are only a few big Saiva Kōvils and Churches.
There are only three big Saiva kōvils. The oldest is the 'Uduvil Amman Temple' situated at 'Siththāwatthai' along the field. It is visible from Uduvil - Kandarōdai Road. It was earlier a 'Kannaki' Temple. The stone image of Kannaki is placed in front of the Kody sthambam.
The annual 11 days festival of the Amman temple ends on the day of 'Citthirai paruvam.' That is Full moon day of the month 'Citthirai' (April - May).
In the 19th century, a campaign to convert Kannaki temples into Amman temples was initiated by Arumuga Nāvalar and Vaishnavaite Brāhmins were allowed to perform pūjās in these Saiva temples. Almost all the Brāhmins of Jaffna peninsula are Vaishnavaites. However, there are 'Saiva Kurukals' who also perform pūjās in the Saiva temples.
The old 'Kāli Kōvil' of the artisans is situated at about a quarter of a kilometer from the Amman Kōvil. It is now renovated and Kumbāpishēkam took place in mid-2012.
The other big temples are 'Katpakkunai Pillaiyār kōvil' (on Uduvil - Kandarōdai Road) 'Siva Gnāna Pillaiyār Temple' on Kaithady - Mānipāy Road (near Uduvil Girls' College)and Uduvil East 'Katpaka Pillayār Temple.'
The 'Murugamōrthy Kōvil' situated at Malvam, Panchamuka Pillaiyār Kōvil in the North of Uduvil Girls' College, Nāgamāl temple along the Ambalavānar Road and Pēchchi Amman temple at Kollan Ōlai were built recently.
Apart from these kōvils, in almost all the lands where particular families live, small kōvils are found. Most of these small Kōvils are called 'Vairavar Kōvil.' In these Kōvils, we find straight limbed 'Tiri-sūla.' In the ancient Buddhist coins of the North, this symbol was used in combination with some other symbols to symbolize 'the Triple Gem' of Buddhism. Daily Lamp Lighting in these Kōvils are carried out by the family members.Until very recently,no Brāhmins were allowed to perform poojas in these family temples!
There are two old Catholic churches (one in the North-Uduvil and the other in Malvam) and one old Protestant Church (Uduvil Girls' College)in Uduvil. Very recently a Protestant church was built in between Maruthanār Madam Junction and Uduvil- Dutch Road junction.
A few Buddhist archaeological finds were discovered in Uduvil in 1917. But in the adjoining Eastern part (Kallākkadduwan), Northern part (Kotthiyāwatthai) and Western part (Kandarōdai), archaeological studies have revealed that Mahāyāna Buddhism existed there. The Sinhalese who claim themselves as 'Thēravāda' Buddhists failed to study 'symbolization' in Mahāyāna Buddhism. This made them come to a wrong conclusion that Buddhist sites mean Sinhala 'Thēravāda' Buddhist sites!
From time to time Sinhala as well as Muslim traders have come to Uduvil and lived peacefully with the mainstream inhabitants. A lot of wealthy businessmen from other parts of Jaffna too have chosen to live in Uduvil for the purpose of giving better education for their children.
Read more about this topic: Uduvil
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