 There
are the seven hot springs of Kanniya (Kal = stone; niya = land), on the
road to Trincomalee. A high wall bounds the rectangular enclosure which
includes all seven springs. Each is in turn enclosed by a dwarf wall to
form a well. The water is warm, the temperature of each spring being
slightly different.
The use of the springs for bathing is controlled by the neighbouring
Mari Amman Kovil, who holds the lease of the wells. The ‘8th wonder’ of
Sri Lanka, (not within the Cultural Triangle and not acknowledged by
UNESCO), has seven hot wells of varying temperatures and is commonly
referred to as ‘the Seven Wonders of Sri Lanka’. “Still waters run deep”
- according to the Hindu legend Ramayana, Ravana, the adventurous and
powerful king of Lanka is reported to have been responsible for these
hot wells springing forth... Some believe that these natural hot water
springs hold therapeutic healing powers for ailments such as arthritis
and rheumatism, thus it is a common sight to see people clamouring to
have a soothing warm water well bath here.
Kinniya is located one kilometre from the main Anuradhapura to
Trincomalee road and seven kilometres away from Trincomalee town. People
believe that bathing in these wells will refresh and give them good
health.
On the way to Trincomalee, make sure you be careful when bathing
because we shouldn’t pollute and destroy what treasure Mother Nature has
blessed us with!
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