Kanniyai Hot Wells - Hindu pilgrimage site near Trincomalee
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Kanniyai near Trincomale is a Hindu pilgrimage site, as the seven hot wells they are believed to be created by Ravana, the legendary king of Sri Lanka, protected by Lord Shiva, known from the Ramayana epic. Kanniyai also attracks pilgrims from India, as it is a Ramayana site.
The Tamil pilgrimage site Kanniya is situated kilometers northwest of Trincomalee on the A12 road towards Anuradhapura. The name pronounced "Kaennia" with emphasis on the first syllable, other spellings are "Kanniyai" and "Kinniyai".
Seven hot water springs are situated next to each other, each under its own small rectangular basin, from which pilgrims scoop water with buckets to pour over themselves.
Enclosures for the springs were already cinstructed by the Dutch, who appreciated the positive effects of thermal baths. Hindus have believed in the healing powers of the water since ancient times, especially for rheumatic conditions. The springs attract a large number of devout Hindus. They perform cleansing rituals on themselves here, particularly on the thirteenth day after the death of relatives or friends. The Kanniya springs are sacred to the popular Tamil goddess Mariamman.
A genuine natural wonder is that the springs in this dry region never dry up, and the despite their close procimity to each other, each of the springs has a distinct water temperature. The differences persist, even though the seven bathing wells are connected like communicating tubes, with the water level always the same in all of them. However, the measured temperature differences are small, approximately varying between 37 and 41 degrees Celsius (99 to 196 degree Fahrenheit).
Sri Lanka is not particularly rich in thermal springs, because it is situated in the middle of the Indian-Australian plate, far from any fault line that would favor volcanic activity. The island's hot springs are aligned along a line that begins in Mulaittivu further north, runs along the eastern edge of the highlands, and extends to Mahapalessa far in the south.
Local legends tell, among other things, of seven maidens who created the thermal baths, but folklore usually associates the phenomenon of hot springs with the Ramayana epic. As with many folk tales, there are several variations of the stiry:
The demon king of Lanka had abducted Rama's wife Sita from India. But when the hero Rama was able to free her, Ravana was so furious that he forcefully thrust his spear into the ground. In pain, the wounded earth then cried seven hot tears, which continue to flow to this day.
An alternative version has it that Ravana himself shed seven hot tears over the loss of his beloved Sita, from which the current seven springs originated.
Another variant is that Vishnu, or his incarnation Rama, created the seven hot springs, seemingly to assist Ravana in the funeral rites for his mother, but in truth, to distract him from guarding Sita. The death of the mother was only feigned. The trick worked, and Ravana named the thermal baths after his allegedly deceased mother, Kanniya.
According to yet another version, Ravana is said to have thrust his spear into the ground seven times in accordance with tradition to mourn the death of his mother, who had perished during a drought in this region. The impact of the spear caused the groundwater to boil and bubble up.
Or it is said that despite the severe drought in this area, Ravana needed water for the proper burial rituals of his mother, Kanniya. So, he touched the rocky ground with his sword, from which immediately seven springs emerged.
In the latter versions, which refer to the death of Mother Kanniya, Ravana does not appear as a great villain. In fact, in ancient India, there were appreciations of Ravana, especially as a connoisseur of Ayurvedic medicine. In Indian myths, similar to Greek myths, there is no clear assignment of good to one side and evil to the opposing side.
Since the end of the civil war, there has been a noticeable increase in pilgrims visiting Kanniya. Their presence, above all, makes the place attractive today. Often, entire buses unload with pilgrims. The parking lot of the small attraction is of considerable size. Surprisingly, the abundance of devotional and souvenir stalls can compete with the biggest attractions in Sri Lanka.
Seven hot water springs are situated next to each other, each under its own small rectangular basin, from which pilgrims scoop water with buckets to pour over themselves.
Enclosures for the springs were already cinstructed by the Dutch, who appreciated the positive effects of thermal baths. Hindus have believed in the healing powers of the water since ancient times, especially for rheumatic conditions. The springs attract a large number of devout Hindus. They perform cleansing rituals on themselves here, particularly on the thirteenth day after the death of relatives or friends. The Kanniya springs are sacred to the popular Tamil goddess Mariamman.
A genuine natural wonder is that the springs in this dry region never dry up, and the despite their close procimity to each other, each of the springs has a distinct water temperature. The differences persist, even though the seven bathing wells are connected like communicating tubes, with the water level always the same in all of them. However, the measured temperature differences are small, approximately varying between 37 and 41 degrees Celsius (99 to 196 degree Fahrenheit).
Sri Lanka is not particularly rich in thermal springs, because it is situated in the middle of the Indian-Australian plate, far from any fault line that would favor volcanic activity. The island's hot springs are aligned along a line that begins in Mulaittivu further north, runs along the eastern edge of the highlands, and extends to Mahapalessa far in the south.
Local legends tell, among other things, of seven maidens who created the thermal baths, but folklore usually associates the phenomenon of hot springs with the Ramayana epic. As with many folk tales, there are several variations of the stiry:
The demon king of Lanka had abducted Rama's wife Sita from India. But when the hero Rama was able to free her, Ravana was so furious that he forcefully thrust his spear into the ground. In pain, the wounded earth then cried seven hot tears, which continue to flow to this day.
An alternative version has it that Ravana himself shed seven hot tears over the loss of his beloved Sita, from which the current seven springs originated.
Another variant is that Vishnu, or his incarnation Rama, created the seven hot springs, seemingly to assist Ravana in the funeral rites for his mother, but in truth, to distract him from guarding Sita. The death of the mother was only feigned. The trick worked, and Ravana named the thermal baths after his allegedly deceased mother, Kanniya.
According to yet another version, Ravana is said to have thrust his spear into the ground seven times in accordance with tradition to mourn the death of his mother, who had perished during a drought in this region. The impact of the spear caused the groundwater to boil and bubble up.
Or it is said that despite the severe drought in this area, Ravana needed water for the proper burial rituals of his mother, Kanniya. So, he touched the rocky ground with his sword, from which immediately seven springs emerged.
In the latter versions, which refer to the death of Mother Kanniya, Ravana does not appear as a great villain. In fact, in ancient India, there were appreciations of Ravana, especially as a connoisseur of Ayurvedic medicine. In Indian myths, similar to Greek myths, there is no clear assignment of good to one side and evil to the opposing side.
Since the end of the civil war, there has been a noticeable increase in pilgrims visiting Kanniya. Their presence, above all, makes the place attractive today. Often, entire buses unload with pilgrims. The parking lot of the small attraction is of considerable size. Surprisingly, the abundance of devotional and souvenir stalls can compete with the biggest attractions in Sri Lanka.
