Sri Lanka is a deeply spiritual country and places of worship of various denominations dot the island. Quite a few of these places have an interesting story or two attached to them and are definitely worth a visit. The Seenigama Temple is a temple located in the village of Seenigama, roughly six kilometres outside of Hikkaduwa. It is a Hindu temple and is devoted to the god Devol devi. Based on available historical accounts the temple is at least three hundred years old and in very good condition.
Devol devi is believed to be the guardian spirit of Hikkaduwa and is revered by the local fishermen in the area. However, the deity is not known for being benign. In fact, Devol devi is the God of revenge and many of the people who come to worship here seek revenge for wrongs committed against them. For this reason the Seenigama Temple is sometimes referred to as the ‘Devil Temple’. When making a request, devotees grind chilli, garlic and other strong spices using a special grindstone found inside the premises.
The Seenigama Festival is held here every June and lasts for about six days. Although it can get very crowded during the festival season, it is also the best time to visit. The ancient temple is situated in a tiny island found roughly two hundred metres offshore. Although the waters are extremely shallow one has to hire a boat to get across. There are motorised boats and catamarans. Tourists are bound to enjoy the latter which is an experience by itself.
Tourists visiting the historic city of Galle can take a short day excursion to the temple if they have some time to spare. It is bound to be an experience to remember. Galle is one of the most popular tourist destinations within the country and is home to many historical and cultural attractions, the Dutch Fort being the most well-known.
Foreigners planning on visiting the city and are looking for good Galle hotels can try the Jetwing Lighthouse. It is one of the few hotels in Galle found in close proximity to the Dutch Fort. Elegantly designed with excellent beach frontage, it is the ideal place to stay.
