Jaffna

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EXPLORE THE NORTHERN CULTURE IN SRI LANKA

Nagadeepa Purana Vihara

Nagadeepa Purana Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Jaffna district of Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is among the country’s sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines (Solosmasthana). According to contemporary history, the Gautama Buddha visited the site after five years of attaining Enlightenment to settle the dispute between two warring Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara.

This tourist place is famous for boat services. You can surely enjoy the boat ride and visit the island. This island is located at a distance of 2 to 3 hours from the city Jaffna. The amount of time you need to visit depends on the availability of boats to reach there.

Nallur Temple

Pilgrims from all parts of the world visit Nallur Temple. The prime feature of this Nallur Temple is the golden arch and the extended Gopuram. People visit here mainly to explore this Gopuram. The premise of this temple was built during the eighteenth century. It was in the year 1620 when the Portuguese destroyed the old construction of this building which was constructed during the regime of Tamil Kings. This temple is now considered as the primary place to hold any type of religious festival.

Jaffna Fort

Among the top tourist places to visit in Jaffna Sri Lanka, Jaffna Fort is considered as one of the major ones. This fort was established in the year 1618 by the people of Portuguese Origin during the Portuguese invasion in Jaffna. This fort is positioned near the city of Karaiyur. This fort is also famous as Fortress of Our Lady of Miracles of Jaffna. During the year 1658, this fort was conquered by the Dutch invaders and it was again in the year 1795 when this fort was again taken back by the British. From the period 1986 to 1995 this fort was captured by LTTE and it was recaptured by the Sri Lanka Army in the year 1995.

Jaffna Library

Jaffna Library is considered as one of the most significant historical and important places to visit in Jaffna. This library was opened in the year 1959. It was established by Alfred Duraiappah who was Mayor of Jaffna at that time. The construction of this library was similar to the Indo-Saracenic style. A tragedy happened with this library and it was burnt during the civil war in Jaffna in the year 1981. At this time this library was considered as the biggest library in Asia. It possessed almost 97000 books and manuscript.

Elephant Pass War Memorial

Elephant Pass is a strip of land that connects the mainland with the Jaffna Peninsula. Most visitors will enter Jaffna via the Elephant Pass and drive past the Elephant Pass War Memorial. The great big tank in the photo below was placed here as a memorial to commemorate the war and all the fighting that happened in this area. If you are interested in the history of the civil war, then stop here on your way into Jaffna.

Delft (Nedunvitu) Island

The next large island after Nainativu is Delft Island. In the Park Strait and about a three hour ferry ride from Jaffna, this is a trip for visitors that stay in Jaffna for longer periods. The island is full of old colonial buildings in all levels of disrepair. On Delft Island, places of interest are the Growing Rock, the Baobab Tree and the white sandy beaches. This tourist place is famous for boat services. You can surely enjoy the boat ride and visit the island.

Casuarina Beach

In Karainagar, Jaffna District Sri Lanka you will find Casuarina Beach which is one of the most attractive places to visit in Jaffna Peninsula. You need to drive almost 20 kilometres from Jaffna to reach this beach and it is also known as Casuarina. The main attraction of this beach is white sand. This beach has been named after the Casoorina Trees which are available all through the beach. If you want to walk around the entire beach then it will take 45 minutes to travel to explore one of the famous places to visit in Jaffna district.

Keerimalai

Keerimalai translates to ‘mongoose hill’ in the regional vernacular of Tamil. This refers to the local legend of a sage cursed with a face likened to a mongoose, who was later cured upon immersing themselves in the healing waters of the Keerimalai Sacred Water Spring. Today, the spring remains popular among throngs of local men and boys who splash about in a picturesque ancient pond overlooking the sea. The bathing area for women is separate and can be found behind the main pond structure.

Point Pedro

The Northernmost point of Sri Lanka the very top of our teardrop isle, Sakkotai Cape rests as the northernmost point of Sri Lanka in the neighbourhood of Point Pedro. As you drive towards the coast from the Point Pedro town, you are first greeted with a directional signpost that includes distances to various countries. To the west, the Point Pedro Lighthouse stands in the shadow of a telecommunications tower, while to the east; a concrete flag of Sri Lanka sits at the edge of the shore to indicate your arrival at Sakkotai Cape.

Dambakola Patuna

Following the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka over 2000 years ago, Sanghamitta, the daughter of ancient Indian emperor Ashoka, landed at the ancient port of Dambakola Patuna with a sacred sapling from the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. Dambakola Patuna can be reached via road on a 45-minute journey from Jaffna. The Sri Sangamitta Viharaya is situated on a coastline that skirts the northern edge of Sri Lanka, overlooking the azure waters of the Palk Strait. On a clear day, you may even be able to see the edge of India’s southern coastline.

 

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Jaffna