Kanniya Hot Springs, Trincomalee, Srilanka
The Kanniya Hot Springs is a site with hot wells
located in Trincomalee, Sri
Lanka. Situated along the Anuradhapura -
Trincomalee road, the Kanniya hot water springs are a natural marvel that are
intertwined with the myth and legends of Sri Lanka. There are 7 hot springs now
converted to bathing wells. The temperature of each is slightly different from
each other.
Legends
According to local folklore, is this site connected with
the Ravana, antagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Ravana and his mother worshipped Hindu God Shiva at the Koneswaram
temple and the Hot springs of
Kanniya. Ravana wanted to remove the temple of Koneswaram when his mother was
in ailing health. Ravana was heaving the rock, Lord Shiva made him drop his
sword. Ravana mother heard that news and she died because of the sorrow of not
worshipping Lord Shiva. When Ravana returns, he found his beloved mother demise
was disheartened. To do her mother's rites, Ravana stuck the earth with his
sword in several spots and several fountains sprang from these points. The
water was hot and this was the beginning of these hot water springs.
History
Mahabharata, the Hindu epic notes that hot well is near Gokarna
bay, in the middle of the ocean and is the island shrine of Uma's consort
Shiva, known in the three worlds and worshipped by all peoples from the
subcontinent, including the native tribes Naga, Deva and the Yaksha, the rivers, ocean and mountains. It continues
that the Koneswara Temple and Hot water spring is the next pilgrimage spot for
Hindus en route south following Kanyakumari of the early
Pandyan kingdom and Tamiraparni island (Kudiramalai) and that worshippers should fast for three days at the
temple.
The first written references to a hot water spring near
to Gokarna bay (Trincomalee) is said to be found in the epic Ramayana. However, it is also believed that these wells were
part of a Buddhist monastery and Buddhist monks used this place as a part of
their complex. The old ruins of the monastery still visible over the area, but
it seems that most of those artifacts were destroyed during the Sri Lankan Civil War. On 9 September 2011, the seven hot water wells, Chaitya mound and other scattered building ruins in the
site were formally recognized by the Government as an archaeological
protected site in Sri Lanka. The designation was
declared under the government Gazette number 1723.
Hot Water
Springs
There are seven wells in a square shape. Wells are only
3–4 feet deep and you can clearly see the bottom. The temperature is
considerably high but vary from one spring to another. Wells run out of water,
when 10-15 buckets of water are taken out. Each spring is enclosed by a stone wall to
form seven individual wells, which in turn are covered by a wall to provide
privacy to those who bathe. The size of each well varies. The bottom of the
well is formed of quartz, sand and gravel and thus the water is clear and not
muddy.
It is still a mystery as to how the water of the springs
are warm and it is said that the temperature of the wells fluctuates. At times
a current of bubbles can be seen rising from the bottom, giving you an
impression of a pot of water being heated. The temperature of each well varies
and due to its mineral composition, the water is said to cure skin ailments and
arthritis. It is also believed the water from the wells have therapeutic
healing powers and can cure many aliments.
The road leading to the Kanniya hot water springs is
lined with shops that sell local handicrafts and refreshments to the tourists
visiting this site. The best time to visit is either early in the morning or
late evening when the sun goes down as it is quiet and sounds of the night give
a calming effect. It must be noted that the water should be used sparsely so
that the springs will flow for posterity. Furthermore, the use of soap should
be avoided in order to maintain the purity of the spring water.
On entering a large shady courtyard spreads in front.
The damaged bricks of some old ruins mar the view to the springs. They are the
remains of an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva that was supposed
to have been built around the same time as the original temple of Koneswaram.
However, it was destroyed in the 1980s in a misguided action of religious
fervor by some Buddhist zealots. Now this site is under authority of
archeological department. You need to pay small Rs. 10/- and get a ticket prior
to entering to the site.
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Location
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