Kudiramalai Point (Horse Mountain) in Wilpattu National Park This protrusion into the Gulf of Mannar, a conspicuous land mark for seafarers since ancient times, is rich in archaeological value. Bits of pottery, brickbats, clay rings of wells and similar debris found embedded on the face of cliff and its vicinity accounts for the remains of a lost habitation perhaps. As ancient as Mesolithic age. A legend has it that, it was also the landing place of Vijaya in 543 B.C on the copper colored sand of “Thambapanni”. While Kuveni the queen indigenous Yakka tribe, whose palace lies in ruins at “Kali Villu” in today’s Wilpattu, became his consort. Pliny an author talks of a sea port called “Hippuros” (Horse Mountain) when a roman tax collector blown off course by monsoon during the time of Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) with the revenues. Though the ship and its contents had been seized and confiscated by the local king (Chanda-Mukha–Siwa, 44-52 AD), he had been courteously received. Struck with admiration of the Romans, Caesar, and their economy, and eager to form an alliance with them, he had dispatched an embassy, consisting four persons to Italy. There are legendary stories about a beautiful queen Allirani/Alliserrani who ruled this area and had a great liking for pearls. Her worriers were women and she hated men. During here time pearls were exported to Arab countries in return Arab horses through this port, thus derived its name. Her palace is reputed to lie buried under this cliff. This point, northwards till Vanakalai 20 miles into the sea had been the most famous pearl bank in the country. The ruins of an ancient Hindu temple sit at the northern edge of this cliff. Some say that these were the ruins of a 35 foot tall statue of a horse with its front legs in midair and a man holding its reins, which probably gave its name. Nearby on the beach lies the grave of a Muslim saint. In the horizon, island of “Baththalangunduwa” and Palliya Wasala famous for its dried fish could be seen.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 03:08:57 +0000
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