Keerimale (Keerimalai) Limestone Caves in Jaffna – යාපනය පෙරිය මන්ඩපම් හුනුගල් ගුහා සංකීර්ණය
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Very few visitors Jaffna know that there is lot more to this land than the Nagadeepa, Kadurugoda Viharaya, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and Point Pedro. Most of the Jaffna Peninsula is covered in coral rock and limestone. With granite almost non existent, all building constructions are carried out using these materiel.
There are number of limestone caves in Jaffna which is unknown to may travelers. Although not the most attractive, the Limestone Caves in Mayakkai are the most significant of these. Even with no formal excavation, three prehistoric hand axes and other tools have been discovered at this site. If the observations of the archaeologists are proved true, These axes belongs to Acheulean type tools which were used from about 1.76 million years ago till about about 160,000 years ago.
The limestone caves at Periya Mandapam is a true wonder of nature. A large open pit exposes a circle of caverns spreading in all directions. A large Tamarind (Siyambala) Tree stands at the center of the pit providing a natural roof for the caves.
Another smaller limestone cave can be found in Keeramale just before the Nakuleswaram Kovil near the freshwater spring. The cave lies in a bare land covered in scrub jungle just before the kovil. This is rather unknown and best obtain a villager to explore this site.
Also See
- Attractions of Sri Lanka
- Heritage of Sri Lanka
- Waterfalls of Sri Lanka
- Nature and Wildlife of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Keerimale (Keerimalai) Limestone Caves in Jaffna
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Traveling Directions to Keerimale (Keerimalai) Limestone Caves in Jaffna
| Route 01 from Colombo to Jaffna | Route 02 from Colombo to Jaffna |
| Though : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavunia Distance :400 km Travel time : 7-8 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Puttlam – Anuradhapura – Vavunia Distance : 400 km Travel time : 7-8 hours Driving Directions : see on google maps |
| Route from Jaffna Town to Keerimale (Keerimalai) Limestone Caves in | |
| Though : KKS Road Distance :19 km Travel time : 45 mins Time to spent : 45 min – 60 mins Driving directions : see on google map |