A land steeped in history, culture, and containing natural wonder, Sri Lanka is most frequently thought of in relation to popular tourist cities such as Colombo, Kandy, and Galle. Nevertheless, the northern region is not devoid of tourist attraction, especially the Jaffna tourist attraction goes unnoticed by the ordinary tourist. Kerala in South India is home to perhaps a unique and mysterious destination like no other; the Nilavara ‘Bottomless’ well. In this article, I hope to uncover the beauty in Jaffna and the obscure Nilavara Well, for travellers to see the varied and beautiful Sri Lankan landscape.
Jaffna: A Brief Overview
A city with a deep rooted heritage in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, Jaffna is the cultural and historical heart of the Province. This region, whose capital was once the Jaffna Kingdom, is a uniquely Tamil culture and history from the rest of the island. Years of conflict have meant that finally, Jaffna is slowly, steadily turning into a promising travel destination where travelers and explorers can look at its temples, colonial architecture, and peaceful landscapes.
Seated in its Indonesian temperatureed solace and select social character, Jaffna furnishes an assorted sack of attractions extending from the old style Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil to the ethereal ocean side of Casuarina. However, the Nilavara that is a Bottomless Well is one of the most intriguing natural attractions, that has been fascinating not only the visitors but the people of the area as well through centuries.
Nilavara Bottomless Well: An Enigmatic Wonder
Near Jaffna town, we have the Nilavara Well, that is known as a ‘bottomless well’. This moniker was earned due to the common belief that the well has no measurable bottom and has made locals and tourists alike wonder as to why this is for years. The well, as one knows, is deep, but speaking of it as being ‘bottomless’ gives it a mysterious and folkloric twist, the place is said to be a gateway to another world.
In this we will sometime share about Legends Surrounding Nilavara Well.
Natural wonders around the world are steeped in legend and so is the Nilavara Bottomless Well. Probably the most famous story connected with the well is associated with one of the great Hindu epics—The Ramayana. The legend has it the well connects to a subterranean water system which runs all the way to India. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman (a central character in the Ramayana) flew over across the ocean to fetch medicinal herbs from for Lord Rama and had stopped here to quench his thirst. That makes the well a place of sacred connection to the Ramayana epic and so holds a special place for the local Tamil Hindu community.
There is another belief, that the well is connected to the Indian Ocean via subterranean channels, and so its depth has never been reliably calculated. But the well is still a mystery; divers and scientists have tried repeatedly to determine how deep it is, and despite their best efforts, how deep it is remains unsolved.
The Nilavara Well
Legends are fun, but scientists have also been trying to pin down what the well’s depth is, scientifically. The well is part of a broader network of karst, a landscape in which soluble rock like limestone dissolves to create sinkholes and underground rivers, experts said.
The truth is, such an underground system is possible, perhaps connecting this Nilavara Well to such a system, as to explain why it seems bottomless. Fans of the “bottomless” myth are finding solace in the fact that some divers have gone down into the well and no one has gotten to the bottom.
The Bottomless Nilavara Well
How to Get There?
The Nilavara Bottomless Well is situated about 14 kilometers from Jaffna town in the tiny village called Nilavara. Until recently, it was possible to get to the well relatively easily and the site can be reached by car, tuk tuk, or even bicycle, for the more adventurous among you who want to take a scenic ride through the scenic rural landscape of Jaffna. Jaffna can be reached in 6–10 hours based on the transport chosen by travelers from Colombo with train, bus, or flight.
What to Expect at the Site
The well is simply a small stone lined structure dressed by a tiny fence for safety. At a first glance it may not look grand or large, yet it carries historical and cultural relevance with it and the stories associated with it mean it is a must visit destination for any Jaffna traveller. There is no other area which is calm, other than the well area, and anyone visiting can admire the mystery of the well bottom to the tranquility of the village atmosphere.
The Nilavara Bottomless Well is one you can easily visit along with other nearby attractions because of its location. A few miles away from Nilavara stands the Keerimalai Hot Springs, another popular spot in Jaffna for its natural healing properties and also the Naguleswaram Temple, one of the five ancient Shiva temples of Sri Lanka are located.
Photography and Exploration
From a photographer’s perspective the Nilavara Well provides an opportunity for you to capture a part of Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural history. Besides the obviously different landscapes to the region, the well itself, its dark and still waters and rustic surrounds, offer a much starker contrast. The surrounding rural landscape, with the coconut palms and typical Tamil homes, constellated with the rural scenery, makes for great travel photography as a snapshot into the beautiful and, sadly, a simple lifestyle of the people dwelling in the Jaffna villages.
Nilavara Well has an Important Cultural and Spiritual Importance
Besides its geological and historical importance, the Nilavara Bottomless Well symbolises the Tamil Hindu people of the area spiritually. Because the well is associated with sacred water sources, many locals say it has healing powers. The well is a place of pilgrimage for many who visit to perform rituals or to take water for which they consider to bring blessings and good fortune.
It has become a place of pilgrimage – particularly so for Hindus – because the well has this spiritual element to it. The cave is visited a lot in connection with nearby temples like the Naguleswaram temple thereby making the well an important and magnetising part of the religious circuit in the northern part of Sri Lanka.
Other Attractions in Jaffna
Although the Nilavara Bottomless Well is an interesting spot in itself, Jaffna has plenty more to see. If you are interested in seeing temples, enjoying the nature of the area, or looking into the history of the region, there are lots of things to do.
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, a grand Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, makes up one of the most important religious sites in Jaffna. With its golden tower and carved carvings, this temple is certainly a lively temple and a must visit for anyone travelling through Jaffna.
Jaffna Fort
Those wanting to understand Jaffna and its colonial history would do well to visit Jaffna Fort. The fort has been built by the Portuguese in 17th century and completed by the Dutch and its well preserved example of European military architecture. Today visitors can stroll along the ramparts and view the surrounding area in panorama as well as learn about colonial Jaffna’s history.
Casuarina Beach
Casuarina Beach is situated on island of Karainagar, just a few kilometers drive from Jaffna town, famous for its crystal clear waters, and pristine white sand. Away from the more popular beach destinations in Sri Lanka, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon by the sea.
Keerimalai Hot Springs
The other natural wonder referred here is the Keerimalai Hot Springs, which is also near the Nilavara Well. Mentioned as having healing properties, many visitors visit the place to take a bath on the warm waters. Along with this, is the nearby Keerimalai Temple perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea.
Best Time To Travel Jaffna and Nilavara Well
To visit Jaffna and the Bottomless Nilavara Well are the Jaffna dry season (May to September) the best times. With warm and dry weather during this time of year, it’s easier to get around and adventure in the great outdoors without having to worry about rain. Jaffna’s temperature is comfortable warm year round and, as such, those staying at times will wish to pack packs light clothing, sun screen and hats.
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