Natural freshwater springs that emerge at the ocean's edge near Jaffna, historically used for bathing by pilgrims on the Nainativu route — the water is mineral-rich and believed curative.
Duration
1-2 hours
Entry Fee
Free
Difficulty
easy
Budget
free
Keerimalai Hot Springs are natural mineral springs that surface directly at the sea's edge on the northern coast of the Jaffna peninsula, close to the Naguleswaram Shiva temple — one of the five Panchaeeswaram shrines of Sri Lanka. The springs are famous for a hydrological anomaly: freshwater bubbles up through the sandy seabed where the Indian Ocean meets the shore, and the two water sources mix to create pools of varying temperature and salinity that Hindu pilgrims have used for ritual bathing for centuries. The water is reputedly therapeutic for skin conditions, and the bathing tanks separated for men and women on the shoreline have been used by local communities and pilgrims for generations. The adjacent Naguleswaram Kovil is an ancient Shiva temple that was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt by Portuguese, Dutch, and local forces over four centuries and remains an active place of worship today.
The springs are 14km from Jaffna town. Hire a tuk-tuk for the day to combine with Point Pedro and Casuarina Beach.
Modest swimwear or sarong is expected, particularly if visiting on pilgrimage days. Separate tanks are provided for men and women.
Visit the Naguleswaram Kovil before 10am when the morning puja is in progress — drums and chanting create a powerful atmosphere.
Best time of day: February to September
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ALSO IN THE AREA
Casuarina Beach
A shallow, calm beach near Karainagar on the Jaffna peninsula, named for its casuarina tree shade line — one of the few genuinely swimmable beaches in the north of Sri Lanka.
Explore →Point Pedro
The northernmost point of Sri Lanka, a coastal town where the Indian Ocean meets the Bay of Bengal — a geographic landmark 330km from Dondra Head, the island's southernmost point.
Explore →Jaffna Fort
A Dutch-built star fort from 1658 on Jaffna's coast — one of the best-preserved colonial fortifications in Asia, with 4km of intact ramparts and a dry moat.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
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