Our recent visit to Kanniya wells gave us an improved picture of the site when compared with the 2010 visit.
Kanniaya Hot Water Wells
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. According to the notes printed on the ticket, this money will be used for the maintenance of the site. There are lots of small stalls selling various food items and fancy goods by the entrance.
Foundation of the old dagaba
The most significant change we notice was the newly excavated foundation of the old dagaba. During our last visit, we just saw a concrete slab on that place. But recent excavation reveals that there was a base of ancient pagoda under that. During the historical time, old Buddhist temple complex was located in this site. This Pagoda must be belonging to that. So later years somebody tried to erase old history by making new constructions on top of it.
Some artifact found during the excavation
You can see many old stone artifact found during the excavation.
Inviting to have a natural hotwater bath
As usual, hot water wells are crowded. There were limited common buckets, so if you are planning to have a bath, better to bring your own bucket. Using soap is prohibited. There are separate changing rooms are provided for ladies and gents.
Siva Devalaya
The old Siva devalya now got a new look. Hindu devotees usually visit this place also.
Siva Devalaya
NOTE:
The following article was written during our first visit in May 2010, just one year after the end of the war.
During the war time, this area was under influence of terrorist. The original 2010 article kept unchanged below;
because it explains about the history of this place and we think it has some time value also.
- Srilankatravelnotes Team
Old name board we saw in 2010, now no longer administrated by PS
With the end of the war, many people visiting this Kanniya Hot Water spring in their trip to Trincomalee. People believe that this hot water is good for some skin deceases and it has healing power for Arthritis and Rheumatic. You have to come in less crowded time and please note that this is a religious place. Respect others and give them also the opportunity.
History of Kanniya Hot Water Wells :
According to the details provided in some information boards at the site, Kanniya Hot water spring has the history from the King Rawana era. It says that King Ravana stuck the earth with his sward in several spots and several fountains were started on those places. The water was hot and thats the beginning of this hot water springs.
Information @ the Entrance
Some believes that this is a part of the Buddhist Monastery and Buddhist Monk used this
place as a part of their complex. There are some old ruins scattered over the area. It
seems that most of those historical artifacts were destroyed in the war time. You can
find more information on this by visiting
http://rebelofkandy.blogspot.com .
This has some important photographs to prove this.
The name Kanniya Came from Kal = stone; niya = land
Our experience about Kanniya Hot Water Wells:
We started our journey from Trincomalee town around 5.10 in early morning. Since it was a public holiday, so we have to go early as possible, otherwise the place will be crowded. We went by the Anuradapura road and traveled around 6-7 km. Then turned to a small road and travel around 1 km. If you are coming by this way, you will be guided by some sign boards by the road side, where to turn exactly. We saw some peacocks by the road side, but they vanished in side the jungle quickly.
The Entrance
We reached the place around 5.30 am and there ware less crowded. It will cost Rs: 10/= person and ticketing
counter is open from the early morning.
There are seven wells located here and all are built in a square shape. Wells are only 3-4 feet deep and
you can clearly see the bottom. It's prohibited to use soap here, but if you want there is a separate
place for that, just few meters away. The temperature is considerably high but very from one spring
to another. Wells are soon run out of water, when we took 10-15 buckets of water quickly. So people
used to move one well to another, where the water
is available. Good thing is nobody spent much time there and give chance to other people.
Seven Wells
Wells are not so deep
There are some other building in the premises. You can see some old building destroyed by the war. Facilities needs to be improved more. I think authorities can do more, because now they get more visitors and get more revenue. There is a kovil also close by, but we didn't visited there, because we were hurried to visit our next destination, Velgum Wehera.
Buildings destroyed during the war(This picture was taken in 2010, just to show how this place just after the war )
