A well-known sacred place
Seenigama Devalaya or Seenigama temple is a great place of interest in my hometown. I live in Ambalangoda. Seenigama is located in the southern coastal area, between two cities, Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa. It is a well-known temple where many of the people in Sri Lanka worship very devotedly. When we consider its location, away from the mainland, it’s wonderful to see a temple which has a history of more than a thousand years, on a small island in the sea, without any destruction. This preservation is a supernatural performance that proves Seenigama is a sacred place.
As we travel to its history, we can see that it was also important internationally because the pots, paddy as well as the stones exported to India have been transported along this way. According to history, Seenigama had been important also as a harbour. There are many myths saying how it got its name. Many say, that ‘Seeni’ of Seenigama means anchors and so that it had been the place anchored and it has been known as Seenigama. Some say, because of the Chinese people who came here for trading purposes, it had been known as Cheenagama and later changed to Seenigama.
Except these, there are many more myths. In the past, jaggery has been manufactured by the sugarcane, coconut and palmyrah which have been cultivated here. So that it is called Seenigama. The sea beach is very beautiful. Lord ‘Devol’ who was the chief ruler of Seenigama, had changed the sand into sugar and according to that too, it says that Seenigama name was given.
The Seenigama temple has a golden history of about 1300 years. Lord of the ‘Devol’ temple is Lord Kurumbara.Merchant Kalingapura, had a lot of sons. They were Devol Sami, Induras Sami, Sandaras Sami, Giniras Sami, Buduras Sami and Maha Sami and a daughter known as Padmini. Because his sons were very stubborn, he had put them on a ship and turned them out. On the way they faced a strong storm and ships were destroyed.
Among these princes, only one prince could save his life. He lighted a lamp and it says that Lord Shakra had seen it and created a lime rock to save him. Devol is the prince. Finally he had come to the Seenigama area. At that time, it says the power of this area had been inherited by Goddess Pattini. She had lighted a fire fence and offered a sacrifice to frighten away Devol Sami. But later, the power of it had been inherited by Devol Sami.
Seenigama temple was started when the minister Deva Pathiraja was made a custodian in this temple for the curing of Dambadeni King Parakramabahu from the illness he got. Also because this temple has a great glory it says that many people from various areas of Sri Lanka used to visit it.
People who travel along this temple, offering coins to it as a tribute is a well-known scene. They believe that this makes their journey successful without any accidents. It also shows us the great devotion to the Lord by the people. To get cured from illnesses, for pregnant mothers and also for fishermen, they get blessings by this temple. The annual procession and festival celebrated here lights up the whole region.
Dewmini Siritunga (14 years)
Sacred Heart Convent, Galle