Kanniya Hot Springs
Seven square wells of hot water near Trincomalee, each a different temperature, walled and used for bathing by bucket.
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At Kanniya seven small square wells sit in a walled enclosure, each about a metre across and each holding water at a different temperature, none of them deep. Bathing is done by drawing water in a bucket and pouring it over yourself in the adjoining stalls rather than by getting in. The site is old and both Hindu and Buddhist traditions attach stories to it, one connecting it to Ravana performing rites for his mother.
What you actually see
- The seven wells - square stone-lined springs, each at a different temperature.
- The bucket bathing - the local method, drawing water rather than immersing.
- The temperature range - noticeably different heat from well to well.
- The enclosure - the walled compound the wells sit within.
When to go
May to September is the drier season on the east coast. The site is open through the day. Weekends and holidays bring crowds.
Honest expectations
The wells are small and the visit takes half an hour. Facilities are basic and the stalls get crowded. The site is more a local ritual bathing place than a spa.
Nearby
Trincomalee is southeast, and Nilaveli is northeast.
What to pack for Kanniya Hot Springs
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
