Historic Kirinda

We make a day trip from Yala to discover Kirinda, a small coastal town with historic significance.

Little fishing villages dot this beautiful scenic town of Kirinda, situated behind massive sand dunes and mostly off the beaten track as far as foreign travellers go.  This town too was affected by the tsunami although the temple we visited was protected due to its location.  

This is the spot where Queen Vihara Maha Devi is supposed to have washed ashore after being set adrift by her father in Kelaniya.

Her father, King Kelanitissa is said to have cast her out to sea to appease for his crime of condemning a Buddhist monk to death in a cauldron of oil!  This upset the gods who caused the ocean to flood, and needed the sacrifice of a princess to appease the gods and abate the flooding! 

When she washed up ashore at Kirinda she was brought in a procession to King Kavantissa who ruled the area!  As the story goes, he being impressed by her sacrifice decides to marry the princess!   A beautiful rock temple honours Queen Vihara Maha Devi and looks down on the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean.  She bore the king two sons, Dutugemunu and Saddhatissa and Dutugemunu himself became a much revered King of Ceylon.

We wander around the town and chat to the fisherman before heading back to Yala Village.

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment, and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.   Harold V. Melche