Tour To Jaffna

Perched on the northern tip, Jaffna is the bastion of Hindu culture in Sri Lanka. Multihued towering Hindu Temples, brightly colored sari-clad women, classic colonial edifices, silvery sunshine, vivid hues of ocean, sweet Jaffna mangoes and swaying palms set the colorful tone of the North. Earlier a war-torn province, Jaffna, with its strings of islands, holy shrines, appealing beaches and off-the-track itineraries, is emerging as the tourist hub of Sri Lanka.

Major Attractions in Jaffna

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Standing tall in Jaffna, the golden grandeur of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil has long beckoned believers & travelers from faraway lands. Ornate Gopuram, arched gateway and splendid bell towers are home to the temple deity Lord Murugan (Skanda) or Katharagama Deviyo. The annual Nallur Festival, held in August, is a much awaited & widely celebrated affair in the North.

Jaffna Fort
Located in Karaiyur on the south side of the Jaffna Peninsula, the Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1618, captured & fortified by the Dutch in 1658 and taken over by the British in 1795. Built at the tip of the lagoon, the Fort has a bloody history and has been part of a war till the early 21stcentury. Its strong walls, mutilated fa�ade, sturdy ramparts and defensive moat depict a tale of battles fought, won & lost. �

Nagadipa Purana Raj Maha Vihara
This ancient temple on the Nainativu Island is one of the most venerated Buddhist shrines. Its impressive Stupa is painted in silver to protect it from the ravages of the salt winds. According to the legends, Buddha visited the island on his 2nd visit to Sri Lanka and preached his sermon on reconciliation to the two hostile Naga kings. Buddhist believers from across the world visit this temple.

Nagapooshani Amman Kovil
Located on the other side from the Buddhist temple on Nainativu Island, this Hindu temple has been a place of worship for hundreds of years. A Shakti Peeth of the Hindu religion, this colorful Dravidian structure is dedicated to Parvati, the wife of Shiva. The annual festival of the temple, held in June-July, attracts thousands of visitors who come from all parts of India & Sri Lanka to pay homage to the deity.

Casuarina Beach
The white sands and the golden sun of this pristine & lightly populated beach call to you for a lazy day by the ocean. Named after the tall Casaurina trees flanking the beach, this place with its shallow warm waters and mild waves is a perfect bathing spot.

Other Attractions in Jaffna

• Kadurugoda Temple
• Dambakola Patuna 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
Spice infused lamb curry; hoppers with a dash of ghee, tangy Rasam, coconut flavored Pittu, zesty curry of succulent drumsticks & eggplant and sweet Modakam are some of the signature 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.