The God Saturn

When we heard about the God Saturn, The Saturn Kovil in India comes to our mind. The reason is the most famous temple which is built for the God Saturn is located in India. The Saturnic kovil in Kuchchanur is always worshipped by the Sri Lankans too. But those who offer sacrifices for God Saturn do not aware that there is also a kovil in Sri Lanka built for God Saturn. That means there is no need to go to India to hold ritual sacrifices for the God Saturn. But where is this kovil located? We are about to find out this Saturn Kovil

Shanisharan Saturn kovil in Sri Lanka

There are only two Saturn kovils in the world. One of them is the Kuchchanur kovil in India as we mentioned and the other one is in Trincomalee. This kovil is found at the Marathadi junction on the Trincomalee station road. But it is not easy to find this kovil when we go to Marathadi junction. Because, there are about 5 kovils built for various Gods at Marathadi junction. Therefore the best way to find the kovil after going to Marathadi junction in Trincomalee is to ask someone where the Shanisharan kovil is.

The legend behind the Saturn kovil

We found two opinions on the history of the Shanisharan kovil or the Saturnic kovil in Trincomalee. According to one opinion this kovil has been built during the Kandyan period. The God Saturn is in a dream of a prophet who lived in the Kandyan period, has been ordered that a kovil should be built in a place where he will be ordered. When the prophet finding for the exact position of the God, he found a torso of a bear. This kovil was built in that land. Although the construction of the kovil belongs to the Kandyan period according to the legend, there is a wonderful story which is belong to the reign of king Dutugemunu. That was about the battle between the giant Gotaimbara amd Jayasena of Ritigala. A dispute between the giant Gotaimbara and Jayasena of Ritigala at the party held to celebrate the victory of king Dutugemunu has led to a dueling struggle. The giant Gotaimbara wins this battle as he strikes a deadly blow separating Jayasena’s head. At that moment, the God Saturn who comes to help him, attaches a head of a bear to the torso of Jayasena. As the head is attached conversed he is known as Jayasena Mahasona. However, the bear’s head for the fixation was found from this place. This is the place which is shown by the God Saturn, to the prophet who lived in Kandyan Period. This is the folk story about this kovil.

Founders of the Saturn kovil

However, the present sacred clergyman of Saturn kovil tells a different story about this kovil. According to him, the kovil has commenced 200 years ago. He represents the fourth generation of custodians of the kovil. This kovil has been started by a family who regularly venerated the kovil. A person who was met in India has given them the idea. That clergyman said that the kovil was erected by this family in a land owned by them. The clergyman who is in charge of several kovils including the well known Kali Amma kovil in Trincomalee , is in a sick condition. Therefore his sons are engaged in the activities of this kovil instead of their father. Every Saturday their is a feast in the Saturnic kovil , but the sacrifice on Saturday is quite different.

The annual feast in Saturn kovil

A lot of devotees attend the Saturday sacrifice, where there are many other sacrifices including, bathing the sacred statue of God Saturn, cleaning the shrining room. A large number of Sinhala and Hindu devotees who have lamps in their hands,  designed with black wicks filled with sesame and oil can be seen in here every Saturday. The annual feast of Saturn kovil helds in October. Not only the kovil but also the area around it is filled with the devotees who come to the annual feast. According to Hindu religious beliefs, God Saturn is very powerful. Even Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the main God of Hinduism, has worshipped the God Saturn one time. Hence, Hindus have great respect for the god Saturn. Because of this dignity, they perform many rituals for the annual feast of the God Saturn. They do not have their breakfast on Saturdays within 5 weeks of the feast. In the morning they go to the feast in fast and they have their meals when they returned home. The first part of the prepared meal is reserved for the ravens. It is because of the belief that the vehicle of the God Saturn is the raven.

Surrender or sacrifice God Saturn Easily

However, any nation or any religion who come to this kovil can do thier sacrifices as thier wish. Also, all the sacrifices that are held at the Saturn kovil in India are held at this kovil. Therefore, we don’t need to go to India to surrender or to sacrifice God Saturn. There is also a place in Sri Lanka to do it with less time and low cost.

Kallady palama pamula sindu kiwa maluwo
Ai golu gahune..
Sitharayata wedi wadunada yaluwo..
Sitharayata wedi wadunada yaluwo..


Maha polawa ithin dekata thunata
Bedi yawi yaluwo..
Ganga maha muhuda kalapu 
Nobedewida yaluwo..
Ubala koi desa koi ratakata yanawada maluwo..


Kallady palama pamula sindu kowa maluwo…


Ape uthuru dakunu sangeethaya
Dekata bedeyi yaluwo..
Mrudanga gata bera hadawath
Pali yawi yaluwo..
Ubalage sindu ithin
Koi rateda maluwo..


Kallady palama pamula sindu kiwa maluwo…

Amazing Singing Fishes

The voice of the singing artist Mr. Kapuge slips to the vaccumes of our heart. At the moment we hear it, the vaccums fills up. But we cannot get rid of past memories because it flashes back us to our past. Indeed, this country was actually burned in the past and it burned in our hearts too. Not only at the foot of the Kalldy Bridge but the whole Batticaloa was burned up. But fortunately, it was fixed. But we still feel that fire. The singing fishes were founded dumb. We are still looking for that memory. But now, neither singing fishes nor singing artist Mr.Kapuge was present. Not even the war. Again, no gunshot. Batticaloa is silent. But the hearts cry. That silence is a pain in some times. 

Batticaloa Gate

We are not about to talk about the Kallady Bridge. It is about the Batticaloa Gate near the Kallady Bridge. There are several ways to get to the Batticaloa Gate. Either above the Kallady Bridge or under the Kallady Bridge. We think that the way under the Kallady Bridge is the best. This is a place full of music where the Portuguese drank red wine and sang.

Kalame Island 

Often, most people do not aware of this place. The Batticaloa Gate and the Gandhi Park are very close to the lives of the people. Both of these were located on the island of Puliyanthivu. A long time ago, that means before the arrival of British to Sri Lanka, the Kaleme island has been separated from the main island. Everything was done with this island with boats. The inhabitants of this island who come to the main island with boats have anchored their boats by the Batticaloa Gate in past. It is a one story that belongs to the Batticaloa Gate. 

Excellent work by British

Batticaloa is an area where Methodology was strongly oriented in the past. The two Methodist clerics George Earskain and William Ollt, who were standed by this Methodist story have landed near this gate in 1814. Then, it is said that Batticaloa is fully overturned. But do not take this story religious. However , the Batticaloa Fortress is located very close to the Batticaloa Gate. On one hand, it faces the lagoon and on the other hand it is easy to get there from the land. Anyway, those are the works of British.

Visit Batticaloa 

Today, the Batticaloa Gate is not being used to enter Batticaloa. But if you wish, you can get to Batticaloa under this Batticaloa Gate. It is very beautiful to see Batticaloa when the sun is rising. So, come to this region at the dawn and enjoy your life by the breeze blowing through the silver sea under the blue sky of Batticaloa.

A kovil seen above the palm leaves which raise their hands to the empty sky. A dark golden sand trail towards the kovil. 
Without any sign of people are duns.  There are bushes not so tall but two or three feets tall. The whole area is silent. 
We are walking slowly along that wonderful road. We are now travelling upon the kalladi bridge where singing fish was there. Not much Sinhala and Tamil but Muslims. A traveller doesn’t want the nationality, religion or the cast.  So don’t think twice, just come to this junction. 
That junction is so lovely. It will welcome you without any hesitation. Here you will find the humanity which you won’t find in any shop in Sri Lanka. No need of asking for tasty food. For non vegetarians there are variety of food here. Beet,  Mutton with hot bread. 
Enough of food now. Thid is Pulmudei junction where money is drawn from sand. Though the sand is ours, the money is not. We are not here to find those. So let’s get into our task.  We are here to invite you to a beach which cannot be seen any where in Sri Lanka. That Beach is  ” Arasimale… “
There are various reasons for Arasimale to be unique. But the best reason is land. 

” Lands….? “

One may ask like that. But really,  it is true. This name is given like that. Arasi in Tamil is for “Rice”. You may sometimes laugh at what I’m saying.  But that is the truth.  
This sand seriously looks like rice.  Have a visit to this lovely Arasimale beach when you get some time. Explore the beauty you will be amazed, Definitely. 
We know sunrise and sunset as stunning scenes. It is true. But people in some countries aren’t having the chance to see this view at its best. Some countries they don’t even see any glimpse of it. 
And also some countries are lucky to see the sunrise,  but they don’t have the opportunity to explore the sunset. And some countries are lucky to see the sunset, but not the sunrise.Numerically a few countries are having the chance to see both sunrise and sunset. One of that few is our little island. 
So it is a way more different experience to be there in Arisimale Beach, when the sun rises. 
Also there is a river branch like thing which drops down to the Arisimale sea. Beside of that there is an island. When you reach that island you will be able to see amazing shrines. The bikkhus are meditating there. They go far alms collecting on this golden beach every morning. 
There is a canoe to pass this narrow river. That you will have to ride by yourself. But I can promise you that this golden rice sand beach will tell your life a way more different story. It is as beautiful as that. Every where is an atmosphere of romance. Thr breezing wind which touches without any barriers is so sweet. 
The sea sings a lovely song every time it hits the beach of Arasimale. 
Come. Visit the Arasimale.