Seenigama: The Blessed Abode of Lord Devol

 

Seenigama:   The Blessed Abode of Lord Devol

Seenigama is a place steeped in miracles, located very close to the coastal town of Hikkaduwa in the Galle District of Sri Lanka. What makes this sacred site truly unique is that, apart from the shrine on the mainland, the main temple is situated just offshore on a small island in the middle of the ocean. Devotees must take a boat service to reach it. Dedicated to Lord Devol, this temple holds a profound place of faith among the people of the southern coast, especially the fishing community. 

Seenigama is located about 2 km away from the Hikkaduwa beach enclave in southern Sri Lanka. Right next to the shrine, you can witness a remarkably serene and beautiful stretch of beach. 

What Makes It Special?

If you are traveling along the main Colombo-Galle road, you can easily spot this sacred ground. In fact, anyone journeying down this road rarely forgets to drop a coin into the till box here to invoke blessings for a safe journey. 

The Seenigama temple is famous not just for seeking divine blessings, but as a sanctuary where people seek justice and retribution against unfairness and wrongdoing. Devotees who have faced injustice visit this shrine to pray for divine retribution against those who wronged them. To do this, they take a boat to the island temple and perform traditional rituals, such as grinding chili on a designated ritual stone or smashing coconuts. 

The miraculous power of this site was clearly demonstrated during the devastating 2004 Tsunami. While the entire surrounding area suffered severe damage, the island temple building remained completely untouched by the waves. Notably, the site of the tragic tsunami train disaster is located just 1 km away from this shrine. 

How Seenigama Got Its Name

According to one legend, when Lord Devol stepped ashore from the ocean, the grains of sand on the beach miraculously turned into sugar (Seeni in Sinhala), leading the area to be called Seenigama. 

Another historical perspective suggests that Chinese merchants frequently gathered here in ancient times, earning it the name Chinagama (Chinese village), which eventually evolved into Seenigama. 

How to Get to Seenigama

By Private Vehicle: If you are driving, exit the Southern Expressway at the Baddegama Interchange, head towards Hikkaduwa, and then travel about 2 km from Hikkaduwa back towards Colombo. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Seenigama from the Baddegama exit. 

Via the A2 Highway (Easiest Route): The most straightforward way is to simply take the main Colombo-Galle (A2) road. The entire journey from Colombo takes about 2 hours, and since the shrine is right on the roadside, this is the easiest method. 

By Public Bus: If you choose public transport, a bus ride from Colombo takes nearly 3 hours, and you can get off right in front of the temple grounds. 

By Train: If traveling by rail, disembark at the Hikkaduwa Railway Station. From there, you can easily catch a local bus or take a three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) to the site. 

Nearby Attractions to Explore

Telwatta Totagamuwa Ratpat Rajamaha Viharaya:

This is an ancient, sacred monastery where the revered scholar monk Totagamuwe Sri Rahula Thero once resided. Located just 2 km from the Seenigama temple, this site was known as the Vijayaba Pirivena in antiquity and served as the focal setting for classical Sinhala literature like the Selalihini and Parevi Sandesha poems. 

Peraliya Honganji Viharaya:

Built with aid from the Japanese government, this temple features an impressive replica of the Bamiyan Buddha statue. Anyone traveling on the Colombo-Galle main road can easily see it from the roadside. 

The Tsunami Monument:

Erected in Peraliya along the Colombo-Galle road, this monument stands in solemn memory of the thousands of lives lost to the ocean waves and the tragic train accident during the 2004 Tsunami. 

Tsunami Museums:

You can find several privately maintained tsunami museums in the Peraliya area. These spaces house powerful and tragic photographic records documenting the sheer scale of the disaster. 

Hikkaduwa Beach: Located a mere 2 km away from the Seenigama temple, this is a stunning and vibrant beach stretch that is globally renowned among international tourists.

Where to Stay

Since Seenigama is situated right next to the major tourist hub of Hikkaduwa, finding accommodation that perfectly matches your budget is incredibly easy—ranging from luxury star-class hotels to highly affordable guest houses. 

Luxury & Star-Class Hotels:

·         Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon 

·         Riff Hikkaduwa 

·         Citrus Hikkaduwa 

Mid-Range Hotels:

·         Coral Sands Hotel 

·         Avenra Beach Hikkaduwa