Velanai Island (), also known as Leiden in Dutch, is a small island off the coast of Jaffna Peninsula in the North of Sri Lanka. There are number of villages within the island such as Allaipiddy, Mankumpan, Velanai, Saravanai, Puliyankoodal, Suruvil, Naranthanai and Karampon.
The majority of the people are Hindus along with a minority of Christians. There are number of Hindu Temples along with few Church. The village is also served by a dozen schools. Sir Vaithilingam Duraiswamy a well known member of parliament during the British colonial period and his son Yogendra Duraiswamy a Hindu activist and well known diplomat were born in Velanai.
Since 1983 Velanai has also been the scene of violence as part of the Sri Lankan civil war including the Allaipiddy massacre.
Etymology
The name Velanai is believed to have been derived from the name of the Tamil god Velan( (Murugan()).
The goddess Parvathi (the mother of god Murugan) gave a pointed spear (vel) to Murugan in Velanai. Murugan battled Tarakan from his battling centre is Sellachchanithi.
History
Archaeological evidence
Received per-historic archaeological evidence of ancient life in Saatti() sea side suggested that there was a well-organized civilization emerged in this island.
Folklore
In Dvapara Yuga (ended in 3102 BCE), Tarahan, the younger (third) son of Kasiyappa Munivar and Mayadevi, captured Nagatheevu & built a strong fortress and ruled from there. Tarakan was very strong (elephant like), that's why his fortress was called Anaikottai. Tarakan devotedly worshipped god Shiva in deep meditation. As a result, he ruled Anaikottai for many thousand years (as stated in the Puranam). In the deeper time of the past, men lived very long. Tarakan married Chowri and she was his queen. Their offspring was a son named Asurendran.
The Devas could not defeat the Asuras. The devas made their way to Mahakailasam and worshipped God Shiva with melting hearts. From Shiva's third eye six sparks streaked out. Gods Shiva commanded Agni (fire) and Vayu (Wind) carried the six sparks and placed them in the river. The river swirled and carried the sparks through Kantharodai to Saravanai lake (Lotus Lake) when the six sparks reached the lake dried up, the lake which thus dried up is called Valukkai Aru, the meaning of Valukkai in Tamil means bereft, the lake has no water. The six-sparks (Murugan) was cherished and nursed by Karthigai maids by feeding him with milk. They were Murugan's foster mothers. Where the Saravanai lake was the place was called Saravanai between lake Saravanai and River Valukkai the sea splashes.
The young Murugan grew up and mother Parvathi gave the pointed spear (vel), that place is called Velanai. Murugan went to Mahakailasam with his mother Parvati and paid his loving respect to his father Shiva. In response to Shiva's command, Murugan organized himself into warrior stance and warred with Tarakan. Tarakan entered Mount Kraunja and concealed himself. The opening in Mount Kraunja was merged in darkness and was called Alvai. From this gaping entrance, Alvai Mount Kraunja was to the north east Mount Kraunja was a massive magic cave. When Lord Muruga came down from Mount Kailas with his massive assisting warriors, the contingent camped at Senthitsannathi, which was later known as Sellachannithi. It was from here that Murugan destroyed Mount Kraunja. On the destruction of ‘Mount Kraunja’ Tarakan came out. At the nearby Mayapuri (open space) the two battled fiercely. Murugan attacked Tarakan's neck with his vel (spear), the chain as which was around Tarakan's neck broke up and the pendant which was Vishnu's chakkrayutham fell to the ground. At last King Tarakan of great strength moved into the heaven for his Valour. Where the battle was fought was at Mayakkai, Vadmaradchi. Where his Vishnu's weapon chakrayutham broke up and fell was the village of Vallinachchi. Very much later Vallinachiyar found this shattered weapon (Chakrayathan) was ceremoniously placed at a temple and worshipped and this place of worship of chakrayutham was called Vallipuram. This place of worship Vallipuram was called Vallipura alvar Kovil.