The Keeramalai pond also known as Mongoose Hill pond is a bathing spot at Walikamam close to the Keeramalai beach in the Jaffna district. The ancient Naguleswaran Kovil is also near the pond which is maintained by the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha.
Many fresh water springs are found mainly along the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula. Keeramalai is one such fresh water spring. According to Hindu belief, Keeramalai is a holy place endowed with miraculous powers. It is believed by the Hindus that bathing in the fresh water of this spring can cure skin infections and induce childless women to achieve pregnancy. There are two ponds at the site and one of them is reserved for women.
The nameboard
According to another belief, the springs of the Keeramalai pond have an underground connection with the bottomless well in Nilaveli, a freshwater well about 17 kilometres away from this pond. Some residents believe that the pond gets water from an underground stream that flows from the Matale hills.
There are several legends woven around the pond. According to one legend, the face of a priest called Yamadakkini Muni became a face of a mongoose as a result of a curse chanted by God Siva. To cure the deformity, the priest came to Sri Lanka and bathed in the pond. It is said that after having the bath and doing the rituals at the Siva temple, he got his human face again.
According to folklore, a Pandyan princess, Muruthapura Veeravalli built the Hindu Kovil at Keeramalai when she was cured of her horse shaped head after bathing at Keramalai.
Adjacent to the Keeramalai sea, the specialty of this pond is that the water of the pond is not salty and the volume of water remains the same although much water flows into the sea.
Beyond its religious significance, the Keeramalai pond is also a place of beauty. Surrounded by lush greenery and serene landscapes, it serves as a sanctuary for reflection and contemplation offering respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
To reach the site, one needs to take the Palaly road from Jaffna. If you like to have a peaceful bath, you need to go early morning since there will be many pilgrims who drop in on their way to the Dambakolapatuna sacred place along this road.
