Trincomalee

Trincomalee 

                       

Trincomalee, one of the largest deep water harbours in the world, is located on the north-east part of Sri Lanka. Trincomalee has served Sri Lanka as an important seaport since the times of ancient days. On the Swami Rock stands one of the oldest Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. In Second World War, Trinco was the headquarters of Allied South-East Asia Command. 

Koneswaram Rock Temple and swami rock

The Koneswaram Kovil is found on Swami Rock, just above Fort Frederick. Forgive my lack of knowledge of Hinduism, but apparently this rebuilt temple is dedicated to Siva. The unbelievably intricate designs of Hindu temples, with their ornately carved figurines, is an incredible sight and this one is no exception. It's very colourful and you can walk around the grounds. The temple is built on top of the cliff, tottering right on the edge of the Indian Ocean, and there are fantastic views of the narrow strip of land that is Trinco town.Trinco h

as a historical fort and is well worth a meander. As you reach the penninusular you will see Swarmi Rock dropping 130 m into Bay of Bengal. Locally known as Lover’s Leap due to historic legend that a Dutch official’s daughter threw herself off after watching her unfaithful husband desert her by sea.

Also at the peak sits the important temple Koneswaram Kovil, replaced after the Portugese pushed the original into the sea in 1624. Many pilgrims from Jaffna visit this holy site and drive evil spirits away through smashing coconuts followed by prayers in the temple.

Many divers chose this area to see old temple relics but make sure that you check the conditions as during July, large numbers of Portugese man-of-war drift to the shore and may become stranded. The sting is serious.

Sacred tree

Behind Komeswaram Temple is a sacred tree, planted precariously on the cliff face. Worshippers tie strips of cloth to the branches as a prayer offering. Even if you don't want to tie some cloth, lean over to the tree and see the sheer 100 metres drop below. Unless you're afraid of heights of course! Apparently you can sometimes see turtles and other marine life swimming below the water.

Trincomalee Harbour

Trincomalee Harbour, 5th largest natural Harbour in the world

Trincomalee is famed for its world famous natural harbour. Once, described by admiral Lord Nelson as the finest harbour in the world when he visited aboard HMS Seashore in 1770. It is ranked as the world's 5th largest natural harbour. During the Second World War the harbour became the base for the combined East Asian Fleet of the Allied Powers.

For beach addicts, it is the ideal beach resort between April & November when the sea is at its best. Located at the mouth of Sri Lanka's longest river Mahaweli Ganga, Trincomalee's most famous landmark is Fort Fedrick, a centaury and a half of British fortifications can be found here. The cliff known as Swami Rock on the tip of Fort Federick promontory is associated with a tragic romantic tale woven around a Dutch maiden who is believed to have jumped to her death from this spot seeing her fickle lover sailing away

                                                               

The Thirukoneswaram Kovil, which stands on the top most pinnacle of the Swamy Rock, is a high venerated Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. World’s the most famous and beautiful beach on the East Coast is Nilaveli, situated at the centre of the 30 km strand of beach which runs uninterrupted from North to Trincomalee. Close to Nilaveli is Red Rock Beach - an estuary perch and pinkish colour boulders. A shot boat - ride off the beach and you may visit Pigeon Island.

Pigeon Island National Park 

One of the two marine national parks of Sri Lanka. The national park is situated 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town inEastern Province. The island's name derives from the Rock Pigeon which has colonized it. The national park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs of Sri Lanka. Pigeon Island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963. In 2003 it was redesignated as a national park. This national park is the 17th in Sri Lanka. The island was used as a shooting range during the colonial era.Pigeon Island is one of the several protected areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

                                                

Nilaveli Beach resort

Perhaps the best beaches of the East Coast and excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Just off shore lies Pigeon Island which has superb coves home to the Blue Rock pigeon and a shaley beach for sunbathers looking to escape for the day. At weekends the island is noisy and full of locals partying.

Lotus Park and Nilaveli Beach Garden are two relaxed guesthouses on the beach and close to dive Centres.

Nilaveli is surrounded by Asylum center for the homeless. Despite their poverty, the communities are extremely friendly and many will wave as they work in the local farms and tobacco fields.

The hot springs at Kanniyai are just 8km away and known for their therapeutic properties. There is some controversy as to their Hindu origin but the 7 natural hot spring wells each have a different temperature. Not for swimmers but be sure to get wet !

 

Lovers Leap

Next to Koneswaram Temple is Lovers Leap. The name kind of gives it away but it is indeed a favourite suicide spot, with a sheer drop to the ocean crashing against the rocks below. There's a memorial and shelter, commemorating the legend behind the name.

  

Apparently the daughter of an old Dutch official here threw herself off the cliff when her forbidden lover had to sail back to Europe, never to see her again. The story was dampened slightly when records revealed that the girl in question in fact grew old in the town, married with children. But the name and memorial remains anyway.

Fort Frederick

The small peninsula jutting out of Trinco town, near the stadium and the main shopping streets, is the Portuguese built Fort Frederick. It's still a working military base but, unusually, you can walk through it. Inside the fort grounds are plenty of colonial style British army buildings, cannons and other leftovers from previous inhabitants, and, bizarrely, loads of deer poking their heads out from behind the military offices.

 

 There isn't really a huge amount to see but it's a pleasant shaded walk, and one you have to make if you want to go to see Koneswaram Rock Temple on the cliff above the fort. Although you can walk around, remember it is still a military base so don't go too far off the road and, no matter how tempting those deer, it's not a good idea to take photos unless you ask permission. You can at the temple though.

The Bay

The bay (or rather bays) are what Trinco is most famous for. There are three main bays - Back Bay to the north of Fort Frederick, Dutch Bay to the east of the town, and the Inner Harbour to the west. Trinco is on a peninsula so the town is surrounded by water. The Inner Harbour is the main deep-water port, but all three are used for fishing and sailing. There isn't really anything to see, apart from the fishing boats coming in at the end of the day, but there are always lots of people about and a lively atmosphere. Take a walk around Dutch Bay at sunset and there are fishermen bringing in their catch, kids playing football, women sat around chatting and cooking and so on. 

 

Pillaiyar Kovil

Another interesting Hindu temple is Pillaiyar Kovil on Dockyard Road. While on the subject of religious buildings, there are also several mosques (try the North Coast Road) and churches worth a look too.