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