Nilavarai Bottomless Well in Jaffna

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Located in Jaffna, the Nilavarai Well is a captivating natural limestone sinkhole shrouded in local legend. Renowned for its “bottomless” reputation, this serene site features crystal-clear turquoise waters. It serves as a vital freshwater source and a fascinating stop for travelers exploring the unique hydrogeology of the peninsula.

The Nilavarai Well—also known as the Bottomless Well of Puttur—is a well-known attraction in Jaffna. It is located in Puttur, within the Navakkiri GS area of the Valikaamam East division. Described as a “bottomless” well, it has been formed when the upper ground layer collapsed, exposing a limestone cavern connected to an underground water source.

Origin of the Name Puttur

According to Nandarama Thero and Samarasinghe (1967), the place name Puttur may represent a Tamilized form of the earlier name Budugama. Because the Tamil language lacks the letter “B,” it is often replaced by the letter “P.” In addition, the Tamil word ūr (ஊர்) means “village,” “town,” or “place.” Consequently, Budugama appears to have evolved into Puttur, with Putu representing Budu and ūr denoting “village.”

Physical Characteristics of the Well

Local tradition holds that the well never dries up, even during severe droughts, and its water is used by farmers in the surrounding area. The well measures about 7.6 meters (25 feet) in length and 12.2 meters (40 feet) in width. As with many large public wells in the region, a flight of steps descends to the water level, which lies approximately 4.3 meters (14 feet) below the ground surface.

The upper portion of the water column—about 12 meters (40 feet)—is fresh, but the water becomes saline at greater depths. It has long been believed that this subterranean water system is connected to the Keeramali Freshwater Pool. A local belief holds that if a lime fruit is thrown into the well, it will eventually appear in the sea at Keeramali, about 10 kilometers away.

Another traditional claim is that the water level of the well rises and falls in synchrony with the ocean tides. However, scientific investigations have produced different conclusions.

Early Scientific Study of the Well

For many years the well remained largely unstudied, partly due to the prolonged civil conflict in northern Sri Lanka, which lasted nearly three decades and ended in 2009. Nevertheless, an important investigation had already been conducted during the mid-19th century. The findings were published in the 1865–1866 edition of the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

To determine the depth at which fresh water turned saline, researchers collected water samples from depths of approximately 13.7 meters (45 feet), 29 meters (95 feet), and 44.2 meters (145 feet) using a specially designed instrument equipped with a valve to seal the samples. These bottles were sent to England for chemical analysis.

The results demonstrated that the well was not bottomless; instead, it reached its base at a depth between about 44 and 46 meters (145–150 feet). Water drawn from the lowest levels emitted a strong smell of sulphurated hydrogen. The tests also confirmed that the transition from fresh to brackish water occurred between approximately 12.2 and 15.2 meters (40–50 feet), indicating that saltwater entered the well at that depth.

Experiments on Water-Level Changes

In another experiment, three researchers measured the water levels of the Jaffna Lagoon, the sea near Valvettithurai, and the Nilavarai Well at thirty-minute intervals from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The measurements showed that the sea levels at Valvettithurai and the lagoon began to fall around 6:30 a.m. and started rising again between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. The water level in the Nilavarai Well also began falling at about 6:30 a.m., but unlike the sea, it started rising again around 9:30 a.m. and fell once more after 2:00 p.m.

This pattern indicated that the water level in the well fluctuated three times a day, whereas sea tides changed only twice daily. As a result, the theory that the well’s water levels were directly linked to tidal movements was disproved, leaving the cause of the triple daily fluctuation unexplained.

Modern Exploration

More recently—about 150 years after the early study—an expedition involving divers of the Sri Lankan Navy and an automated diving robot explored the well again. Their investigation revealed that the bottom lies approximately 52.5 meters (172 feet) below the surface.

They also confirmed that freshwater occupies the upper 18.3 meters (60 feet) of the well before becoming saline at greater depths. In addition, the team discovered several tunnels branching off in different directions at varying heights, as well as debris from three carts that had apparently fallen into the well.

Possible Origin of the Name Nilaavarai

Some scholars suggest that the place name Nilaavarai may derive from Nilava’rai (nila + a’rai), meaning “underground chamber,” a reference to the subterranean water system beneath the well. The well itself is commonly referred to as Nilaavaraik-ki’na’ru.

However, another possibility is that the name originated from the local plant known as Nilaavarai, which grows abundantly in the surrounding area.

Archaeological Significance of the Area

The locality of Nilaavarai has considerable archaeological potential. Several decades ago, an elegant limestone torso of a Buddha statue was discovered here, indicating the presence of an ancient Buddhist monastery.

The nearby place name Navakkiri may also be linked to this Buddhist heritage. Not far from the location where the statue was found are the remains of a dagaba that may date to the 10th century. In addition, ruins of a rectangular structure—possibly an image house—have been identified nearby. The site also contains a Bodhi tree and a deep well.

Present Condition

Although the Nilavarai Well remains a popular destination, it has received little maintenance apart from the construction of a surrounding cement wall. The area is now overgrown with weeds, and the water has become stagnant, making it unsuitable even for bathing.

References

Forkard. (1866). POOTTOOR WELL. The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, 4(13), 123–127.
Nandarama Thero, K., & Samarasinghe, D. P. (1967). සැඟවුන උතුර (1st ed.). Gunasekera and Company.

Also See

Amazing Lanka Jaffna Guide

Map of Nilavarai Bottomless Well in Jaffna

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Travelling Directions to Nilavarai Bottomless Well in Jaffna

Jaffna can be reached through two principal routes. The most commonly used approach is via Elephant Pass, which has long served as the traditional gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula.

An alternative route reaches Jaffna from the direction of Pooneryn by crossing the Sangupiddy Bridge. This crossing follows what was historically the ancient route to the peninsula before the construction of modern highways. The route provides a connection between Jaffna and the Mannar region.

Route 01 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Kurunegala (Popular Route)	Route 02 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Puttalam and Pooneryn (Lesser Traveled Route)
Through : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavuniya Distance: 410 km Travel Time: 7-8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: Puttalam – Thantirimale – Mannar – Poonaryn Distance: 408 km Travel Time: 8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.

Route from Jaffna Town to Nilavarai Well

Distance : 14 km
Travel time : 30 mins hours
Driving directions : see on google map