Tour To Jaffna

The capital of the Northern Province, Jaffna is pretty different from the rest of the country in both climate & culture. The climate, much arid than the rest of Sri Lanka, with swinging palms, golden beaches & brilliant sunshine and the culture, mostly Hindu, due to the early Tamil settlers in the area. The vivid scenery dotted with colorful & ornate Hindu temples, grand colonial structures and tiny islands & pretty causeways in the ocean are characteristic of the North. The region, recuperating from a long civil war, offers new avenues in Sri Lanka for the global travelers.

Major Attractions in Jaffna

Jaffna Fort
Built at the tip of the lagoon in the southern Jaffna Peninsula, the ramparts of the much ravaged Jaffna Fort reverberate with the horrors of the civil war. The fort built in 1618 by the Portuguese has had a gruesome history of war starting from the Dutch invasion to the British rule and finally the grisly Civil war that lasted till the first decade of the 21st century. Tall walls & high ramparts, crumbling façade and the defensive star shaped moat, all depict a gory tale.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
The 15th century Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, dedicated to Lord Murugan (Skanda) or Katharagama Deviyo was established by the Kotte rulers of Jaffna. It was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 17thcentury and rebuilt in 1734 by Don Juan Raghunath Mappana Mudaliyar after permission from the Dutch government. His descendants have since been the trustees of the temple. The tall, elaborate Gopuram resplendent in glittering gold is a beacon of faith in Jaffna. The annual temple festival, widely known as Nallur Festival, held in August, is a much venerated & celebrated event in the North.

Nagadipa Purana Raj Maha Vihara
The shimmering silver Stupa of Nagadipa Purana on Nainativu Island marks one of the most sacred Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka. In accordance with a Buddhist legend, the temple commemorates Buddha’s 2nd visit to Sri Lanka when he preached his sermon on reconciliation to the two hostile Naga kings of Nainativu Island.

Nagapooshani Amman Kovil
Situated across from the Buddhist temple on Nainativu Island, this Dravidian temple has been a place of worship for the Hindus for centuries. The temple, dedicated to Devi Parvati, the wife of Shiva, is venerated as one of the Shakti Peeths of the Hindu religion. The four ornate & colorful Gopurams, around 10,000 sculptures and a big statue of Nandi (the holy bull), are the key highlights of the temple. The annual festival of the temple, held in June-July, is a major draw for visitors from all parts of India & Sri Lanka.  

Casuarina Beach
Flanked by the tall Casaurina trees, this pristine beach is a perfect spot to enjoy a lazy day in the sun. This shallow waters, easy surf and low footfall make it a great place for bathing & swimming in the ocean.

Other Attractions in Jaffna

• Kadurugoda Temple
• DambakolaPatuna Viharaya
• Nainativu Island
• Public Library
• Needuntheevu or Delft Island
• Charty Beach
• Kovalam Beach
• Elephant Pass War Memorial
• Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple
• Dambakola Patuna

Food in Jaffna
Sweet Jaffna mango, spicy lamb curry, flavorful Rasam, coconut flavored Pittu, and sweet Modakam are some of the delicious dishes of Jaffna.

Best Time to Visit Jaffna
Jaffna is best visited in the months from January to July when the dry season is prevailing.

How to Reach Jaffna
By Air- You can fly from Colombo to Palaly Airport, around 18 kilometers from Jaffna.
By Train- Jaffna is conveniently connected with most of Sri Lankan cities by a rail network.
By Road- A well-connected network of roads from most parts of the country lead to Jaffna.