The Miracle Springs of Keerimalai are a renowned, ancient natural water source located on the northern coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka. Despite being very close to the ocean, the bathing tanks are filled with fresh, mineral-rich water, which is a major part of the site’s spiritual and cultural importance.

Here is a detailed overview of the springs, their significance, and the legends surrounding them.

Key Facts About Keerimalai Springs

• Location: Keerimalai, near Jaffna, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
• Water Type: The water is freshwater and high in mineral content, but it is not hot.
• Structure: The natural springs flow into structured bathing tanks built with stone.
• Segregation: There are two separate pools: a larger, open-air pool for men and a smaller, enclosed pool for women, reflecting the importance of modesty and tradition.
• Proximity to Ocean: The bathing tank is separated from the Indian Ocean by only a thin stone wall, making the presence of freshwater so close to the sea an intriguing natural phenomenon.
• Connection to other sites: Legend suggests the underground freshwater source is connected to the Nilavarai Bottomless Well, located about 10 kilometers away.

Legends of the “Miracle” Cures

The springs are widely believed by Hindus to possess curative, therapeutic, and even miraculous powers, often attributed to the water’s high mineral content. The name “Keerimalai” itself means “Mongoose Hill” in Tamil, which is linked to its most famous legend:

1. The Legend of Nagula Muni (The Mongoose-Faced Sage):
   • According to folklore, a sage named Nagula Muni (meaning “Mongoose Sage”) lived in the area. Due to age and austerity, his face and body were disfigured, resembling a mongoose.
   • He bathed in the Keerimalai springs and was miraculously cured, with his face regaining a normal human form.
   • In gratitude, he established the nearby Naguleswaram Temple (also known as Naguleswaram Kovil) dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most revered Hindu temples in Sri Lanka.
2. The Legend of Princess Maruthapura Veeravalli:
   • Another significant tale involves a Pandyan Princess from India named Maruthapura Veeravalli. She was afflicted with a facial deformity that resembled a horse’s head.
   • After bathing in the Keerimalai springs, she was cured. To commemorate her healing, she is said to have built the nearby Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Keerimalai springs hold immense spiritual and religious importance, particularly for the Hindu community:

• Pilgrimage Site: The springs are a sacred pilgrimage site. Pilgrims often bathe in the waters as part of their spiritual rituals, seeking purification and physical well-being.
• Aadi Amavasai Festival: The springs are especially significant during the Aadi Amavasai day (New Moon day in the Tamil month of Aadi, typically mid-July to mid-August). On this day, large numbers of Hindu men gather to perform rites and rituals for their ancestors, followed by a ceremonial dip in the sacred waters.
• Naguleswaram Temple: The springs are located adjacent to the ancient Naguleswaram Kovil, one of the island’s five primordial Shiva temples (Pancha Ishwarams). Visiting the temple and bathing in the springs form a combined sacred ritual.