The Fascinating History and Culture of Kanniya Hot Springs

 

Entrance

Discover the rich culture and history of Sri Lanka at the stunning Kanniya Hot Springs in Trincomalee. Alongside famous attractions like Sigiriya, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, the Kanniya Hot Springs is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Experience the unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance at this highly recommended tourist spot.

Ancient History of Kanniya Hot Springs

Some myths are based on this place, but I have researched and written this article. Even though most people believe a certain truth about this place, nobody has clear proof of this destination. So, any history related to this place can be mere assumptions.

The Seven Hot Springs, located in Kanniya, are a popular tourist destination believed by many to have been created by the legendary king, Ravana, for his mother's final rites. There is also a rock formation near the springs, on top of which stands a tomb measuring either 60 or 40 feet. In recent times, some people have suggested that the tomb may have belonged to an Islamic person who lived in ancient times.

On the other hand, According to local people, the site is the tomb of the legendary king Ravan and his mother. I would say, you can't imagine its size because this is such a huge tomb and I never see this long in my life. Despite the myths and legends surrounding the site, there is also documented evidence of the Kanniya Hot Springs in books from countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, and Portugal that date back to 300 years.

The Kanniya Rock, also known as Bear Rock, is a prominent feature located near Vilangulam. It boasts two distinct tops, with one measuring 50 meters in length and the other measuring 100 meters. The rock serves as the starting point for a dense forest zone that spans 6 kilometers to the south, 16 kilometers to the west, and 80 kilometers to the southwest.

Ravan was deeply devoted to his mother. When she became ill, she expressed a desire to visit the Koneswaram Temple, a revered Hindu temple, to worship one of the gods. Despite Ravan's best efforts, his mother was unable to make the pilgrimage before she passed away. In honor of his mother, Ravan performed all of the final rituals in the same place and built a tomb for her on the Kanniya rock.

The tomb was constructed on the top of the rock for a specific purpose - to make it easily visible to worship the god at the Koneswaram temple. According to locals, the tomb was built by Ravanan to fulfill his mother's last wish to be able to visit the temple to worship even after her death. Constructing her tomb on the top of the rock would ensure that her spirit could easily see the temple from her final resting place.

The following notes were written about the rock tomb by some historians and authors.

In his book "A Description of Ceylon" published in 1798, James Cordiner wrote about a tomb located on a hill. He mentioned that on the top of the hill there are two monumental piles of earth, surrounded by loose stones. The larger pile measures 36 feet in length and 10 feet in width, while the smaller pile is 10 feet long and 3 feet wide. According to local legends, these piles mark the graves of a giant and his son, who were buried there in the distant past, during the mythical history of Ceylon.

Further, Simon Casie Chetty's book "The Ceylon Gazetteer" was published in 1833 and added more information to the existing knowledge on the topic that ''facing the west side there are several hills and on the summit of one is shown the remains of the tombs of a giant and his son.'' 

Then, In 1849, Charles Pridham wrote in his book "An Historical Political and Statistical of Ceylon" that ''the summit of one is shown the remains of the tombs of a giant and his son.''

Lately, Harry Williams reinforced the statements made by earlier authors regarding the significance of the rock Tomb in his 1950 book, "Ceylon: Pearl of the East." He stated that ''According to them King Ravanan, during his long war with Vishnu, was informed by that deity that Kanniya virgin mother of the King of Ceylon, was dead. Ravanan naturally had to set about the task of performing the necessary obituary for the beloved dead, and Vishnu to help him...and incidentally to accomplish his main design of delaying him...caused hot springs to burst out of the ground for the giant's use and there they remain.

The final words of the above passage are significant and reveal that Ravanan was a giant. The tomb referred to belongs to both Ravanan and his mother, as noted in the above statements through the line ''Tombs of a Giant and his Son.''

Hot wells 

Some specific features of this place

Kanniya Hot Springs is a group of seven natural hot wells located in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 6km from Trincomalee town. Those hot springs are believed to have medicinal properties and are considered sacred by the local community. The springs are surrounded by ancient brick walls and there are several bathing tanks for visitors to use. The site also features a Buddhist temple and several other religious shrines. The local community holds the belief that bathing in hot wells can provide therapeutic benefits for various ailments. Such as 

1. The first well is known as the "Sivakamini" well and is considered the main spring. It is the largest and the hottest of the seven wells, with water reaching temperatures of up to 98 degrees Celsius.
2. The second well is known as the "Vallipuram" well, which is located close to the Sivakamini well. It is also considered medicinal properties and used for therapeutic baths.
3. The third well is known as the "Gokarneswaram" well, which is located on the opposite side of the Sivakamini well. It is believed to have healing properties for skin diseases.
4. The fourth well is known as the "Ketheeswaram" well, which is located on the southern side of the temple. It is considered to have healing properties for joint pains.
5. The fifth well is known as the "Kamadchchapuram" well, located on the temple's eastern side. It is believed to have medicinal properties for treating kidney and urinary tract diseases.
6. The sixth well is known as the "Nallur" well, which is located on the northern side of the temple. It is believed to have healing properties for rheumatic diseases.
7. The seventh well is known as the "Kodimunai" well, which is located on the western side of the temple. It is believed to have healing properties for respiratory diseases.

Finally, I highly recommend, experiencing the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation with your loved ones at Kanniya hot springs. Bathing in the hot springs is a truly unique and unforgettable experience, unlike anything you'll find at the beach or even in your own home. Whether you're looking for a fun day trip or a longer getaway, Kanniya hot springs is the perfect destination for your next outing. Don't miss out on the chance to unwind and have a great time with your family and friends.