Towards our places – Paruthithurai
Paruthithurai
Located in the northern part of the prosperous Eelam, Paruthithurai is an ancient port city with a history spanning several centuries. Once a thriving commercial capital, it maintained trade relations with many countries. Paruthithurai falls under the administrative control of the Vadamarachchi division of Jaffna and was heavily affected by the tsunami in 2004. The town is notable for its numerous schools and temples.
A historical account links Paruthithurai to Vallipuram, a city founded by Tamil king Ukkira Singhan, who ruled from Kathiramalai and married Maruthapuravalli, a Chola princess who built the Mavittapuram Kandaswamy Temple. Vallipuram served as the capital of Jaffna’s kingdom until the 6th century AD, before the emergence of the Aryachakravarti dynasty in Jaffna.
Paruthithurai’s name is derived from its historical role as a cotton-exporting port (“paruthi” means cotton in Tamil). In earlier times, large quantities of cotton were exported from here, hence the name Paruthithurai. In English, it was called “Point Pedro,” and the Tamil translation was “Pedro Munai.” According to history, a Dutch sailor named Pedro discovered the town and named it “Point Pedro.”
The town is also home to a famous port and pier, where the pier divides the “male” and “female” seas. The town is known for its iconic lighthouse, and the distance between this lighthouse and the one in Galle in southern Sri Lanka is considered the total length of the island.
Kite flying is a significant event in Paruthithurai, and the annual festival at the Vallipuram Temple, including the sacred water festival at the beach, is famous. During the festival, the deity is carried to the beach through the sand dunes.
Paruthithurai is also renowned for its food, particularly dishes like dosa, vadai, appam, and elluppa. Dosa is often served with various sambal (chutneys in tamil), fresh sambal, fried sambal, green chili sambal, red chili sambal, and a unique dosa curry specific to the town.
Known as the “City of Festivals,” Paruthithurai is always in a festive spirit, with celebrations ranging from the Indra Vizha to the kite festivals. During the Eelam war, Paruthithurai made great sacrifices, and it continues to stand as a symbol of Tamil pride, having produced numerous martyrs, warriors, scholars, creators, artists, and poets.
By Vinoth from Vattakachchi, Translation by Hari
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