07 Places to see in Jaffna
Jaffna is a city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Nallur Kandaswamy is a huge Hindu temple with golden arches and an ornate gopuram tower. By the coast, star-shaped Jaffna Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and later occupied by the Dutch and British. Jaffna Public Library is a symbol of the city’s post-war regeneration. Jaffna Archaeological Museum has Dutch cannons and pre-colonial artifacts
The city is surrounded by Jaffna Lagoon to its west and south, Kokkuvil and Thirunelveli to the north, and Nallur to the east. Jaffna peninsula is made of limestone as it was submerged under sea during the Miocene period. The limestone is grey, yellow and white porous type. The entire land mass is flat and lies at sea level. Within one mile (1.6 kilometres) of the city center is the island of Mandativu which is connected by a causway. Palmyrah groves can be seen where land has not been used for construction. Other notable vegetation is a leafless shrub called talai (alae africana) and koddanai (oleander).
Jaffna is located in the Northern province of Srilanka and 362 km from Katunayake international airport - 7 hours drive
Jaffna features a tropical savanna climate with a dry season between February and August, and a wet season between September and January. Jaffna has the highest average temperature in Sri Lanka of 83 °F (28 °C). The temperature is highest in the months of April – May and August – September. The temperature is coolest in December – January.
The annual rainfall is brought in by the North East monsoon and it varies from one place to the other and also from year to year. The average rainfall is 50 inches in the western part of Jaffna peninsula.
01. Naaga Deepa Temple
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.
Ancient history according to the Mahavamsa chronicles and the Tamil Buddhist epic Manimekalai mentions a gem-studded throne and a stone with the Buddha’s footprint at the island Nainativu, (also known as Nagadeepa) which pilgrims from India visited.
Note to remember
This is an Ancient Buddhist temple. Please be caution of your dress.
When we enter to a Buddhist temple we need to remove our hats and shoes. you can use temple socks if you want
Since this temple is located in an island, you need to come to this place by a boat.
02. Nallur Kandaswami Kovil
The original, Kandaswamy Temple was founded in 948 ad. According to the Yalpana Vaipava Malai, the temple was developed at the site in the 13th century by Buwanika Bahu, a minister to the King of Kotte. Sapumal Kumaraya (also known as Chempaha Perumal in Tamil), who ruled the Jaffna kingdom on behalf of the Kotte kingdom is credited with building the third Nallur Kandaswamy temple. Nallur served as the capital of the Jaffna kings, with the royal palace situated very close to the temple. Nallur was built with four entrances with gates. There were two main roadways and four temples at the four gateways.
Note to remember
This is an Ancient Hindu temple. Please be caution of your dress.
When we enter to a Hindu temple we need to remove our hats and shoes. you can use temple socks if you want
Highly Recommending to hire a site guide to get the maximum output of the tour.
03. Casuarina Beach
Casuarina Beach is in Karainagar, Jaffna District, Sri Lanka, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Jaffna. The Casuarina Beach in Karainagar is also called and written as Casoorina, Cashoorina and few other variants. This is considered to be the best beach in the Jaffna Peninsula with white sand.
The beach got its name due to the casuarina trees along the beach.
Note to remember
The Karainagar Lighthouse is also located at the eastern tip of the beach.
The journey to Casuarina Beach can be made by bus or private transport
04. Chundikulam Bird Sanctuary
Chundikulam lagoon and the area surrounding it were declared a bird sanctuary on February 25th, 1938 under the protection act. After the civil wars in May 2015 area around Chundikulam including Adam’s bridge, Delft, and the Madhu road were announced to be converted into national parks. This national park is surrounded by different species of flora and fauna. It is under the protection of the department of wildlife conservation.
Note to remember
Highly Recommending to hire a site guide to get the maximum output of the tour.
It is open 24 hours for tourists to visit this place. For a better experience, you can visit here during early morning so you can watch various species of animals and birds more clearly. In dark it is difficult to spot animals and birds can’t be seen during the night.
05. Jaffna Fort
Jaffna Fort is a fort built by the Portuguese at Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1618 under Phillippe de Oliveira following the Portuguese invasion of Jaffna. The fort is located near the coastal village of Gurunagar. Due to numerous miracles attributed to the statue of Virgin Mary in the church nearby, the fort was named as Fortress of Our Lady of Miracles of Jafanapatão (Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora dos Milagres de Jafanapatão). It was captured by the Dutch under Rijcklof van Goens in 1658 who expanded it. In 1795, it was taken over by the British, and remained under the control of a British garrison till 1948. As the only large military fort in the country, due to the presence of only government and military buildings within its ramparts, it was garrisoned by a detachment of the Ceylon Army.
Note to remember
Open daily from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
The best time to visit Jaffna Fort is between April and June.
Located a short walk away from City Center,
06. Keerimalai water spring
Keerimale (Keerimalai) is a natural spring lying next to the sea west of Palaly. A bathing tank is built surrounding this pool and only the walls separate the waters of the spring and the sea. Although the tank is so close to the sea, the water is fresh coming from an underground fresh water spring in Tellipallai-Maviddapuram. The water is not hot. It is said this underwater water source also connects to the Nilavarai bottomless Well which lies over 10km away from here.
Note to remember
From the Jaffna Town you need to take the Palali Road. you can ask the way from anybody or just get the help from google Map. This is very popular among locals. If you like to have an peaceful bath, you need to go early morning since in the afternoon is usually crowded.
07. Delft Island
Neduntheevu or Nedunthivu is an island in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. This island is named as Delft in the Admiralty Chart unlike the other islands, whose names are Tamil. The island’s area is 50 km² and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km and its maximum width about 6 km
Neduntheevu is a flat island surrounded by shallow waters and beaches of coral chunks and sand. It is home to a small population of Tamil people, mostly living in quiet compounds close to the northern coast.
Note to remember
Delft Island is located at a equal distance between Sri Lanka and India.
Delft Island can be reached via a daily ferry that leaves the Kurikkaduwan Jetty, located one hour away from Jaffna city.
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