Aru Kaal Madam (Ambalama)

Aru Kaal Madam (Ambalama)

Aru Kaal Madam (Photo credit: Google Street View) The Aru Kaal Madam (Sinhala: ආරු කාල් අම්බලම) (lit: Six Pillar Choultry) is an Ambalama (an old wayside rest) situated in Vannarpannai in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. History Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country. The Aru Kaal Ambalama A six-pillared shelter built on a 70 cm high platform, a well, a water tank, a few short pillars ( Aavurancikal and Cumaitanki ) are found at this Aru Kaal Madam premises. Ambalamas in Jaffna have unique features .  Ambalama in the Jaffna Peninsula is called Madam and it is generally different from similar structures in other parts of the country. It consists of five components given below (Ragupathy, 1987); 1) Madam : the Ambalama itself 2) Sumait…