25 October 2024 | 12 min
25 October 2024 | 12 min
There are different places to visit in Jaffna to get sense of the city history and culture ranging from Dutch Fort, beaches to Nallur Kandaswamy Temple. Below are the 15 best places to visit in Jaffna.
Located on the Jaffna Lagoon shore, Jaffna fort is among the historical sites to explore. The fort was built in 1618 by Portuguese and in later year expended by the Dutch. Over the years, this structure has witnessed the ebb and flow of power way from the different colonial rule to the awful 1980 Sri Lanka civil war.
The designing of Jaffna fort is not like other fortifications in Galle or Colombo because it was used for military purposes. It is huge and stretches 250 meters shaped like a pentagon with 5 sides. In each corner of the fort there are imposing bastions and protected by star-shaped moat and thick ramparts.
Examples of ruins inside this fort include the church which was built in 1706, governor’s residence and Queen’s House. These ruins reflect the magnificent colonial architecture featuring distinctive aesthetics and grand verandahs.
Situated outcast of the city center, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is scared and the most important temple in Sri Lanka. It is the main pligrimate site for the Tamil Nadu and Hindus from all over the country.
Originally the temple was constructed in 15th century but it was in 1734 re-built by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. The temple has been operation for centuries. The first thing which strikes out when you visit the temple is the entrance tower (towering gopuram). It is painted in different colors and carved ornately. The sight starting for the entrance sets spiritual experience tone.
The other aspect which makes this temple stand out is the magnificent architecture which features rich iconography and intricate carvings embodying the Tamil religious art.
If you want to learn in depth about the Tamil people heritage and traditions, you should visit Jaffna Public Library. The library is located near Jaffna fort in the heart of the city. The sight of the library is spectacular as it housed in majestic white walls and red-tiled roof building. The building reflects colonial and classical design.
Jaffna Public Library was founded in 1993. It was once the grandest and largest library in Asia. Inside the library, there were manuscripts, over 97,000 books collection, magazines and other rare documents. In 1981, there was a mob arson attack which destroyed the content and the library. It was among the events which contributed to the civil war in Sri Lanka.
Later, the library was restored and expanded. It is among the building which showcase the resilience and future optimism in Jaffna. The library is among the iconic landmarks in the city and best place where visitors can learn about the local culture. It is also a public space where people meet to share their knowledge on academic research and literature.
Situated on Karainagar Island, Casuarina Beach gets its name from the whispering casuarina trees. It is the closes beach which you can visit when visiting Jaffna. The clear waters, soft white sand and tranquil environment are what make this beach ideal place to visit for peaceful time.
Therefore, if you are on a trip to Jaffna and want to escape away from the crowd, this is among the hidden gems. You will enjoy the serene environment as you soak up the sun. The Island where the beach is located is accessible through the causeway which connects it to the mainland. Before you even get to the beach, you will get to enjoy the stunning views of the lagoon and the Palk Strait.
At the beach, you can enjoy different water activities among them swimming, the waters are warm and calm so you should not be worried. You can also take leisure walks in the beach shore. There are snack vendors near the beach where you can buy snacks or drinks.
If you have enough time you can explore the surround area and will get to discover the ruins of the ancient building among them Buddhist temple. The best way to get to Casuarina Beach is by your own transport. The other option is to board a bus from rainagar bus from the central bus station. But, the buses don’t offer services to this route frequently.
Located on the northern coast of Jaffna, Keerimalai Springs is a natural spring and popular because of the mineral-rich waters and stunning setting next to the sea. Dating to the ancient times, there has been celebration of this place because it’s healing powers.
The local legends about this spring surround the Hindu god Rama. It is said during the battle with Ravana he used the waters to heal his wounds. Thus, it is said when you drink the water, you get cures of various illness like kidney stones, skin conditions and joint pains. The water from this spring is naturally warm and it is known because of the rejuvenating effects.
Besides visiting Keerimalai Springs to learn about its water therapeutic benefits during the visit you will get to under the northern Sri Lankan culture and mythology. There a number of Hindu temples in the area dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. These temples is a depiction of their stories on scarifies and courage. The best way to be told all these stories is if you take a guided tour and the guide should be a local.
Located close to Chunnakam town Kandarodai village is another place to visit in Jaffna. It takes around 45 minutes to get to the village from Jaffna town.
Among the places to explore in the village is the old Buddhist temple called Kadurugoda Vihara. This temple is maintained by the military and protected by the Sri Lankan government. It is categorized among the ancient sites in Jaffna District.
During the visit to this temple, you will get to interact with the locals and will learn about their culture and heritage.
Manalkadu Beach is another perfect getaway when you visit Jaffna. You can visit this beach anytime of the year because the weather of the pleasant expect during monsoon season. If you want to soak up to the sun, the perfect time to visit is after the south West moons blows off from April through October.
The beach stretches a number of kilometers along the Northern coast and feature sandy beachfront. For picture how this beach looks like imagine a place is with tropical beach where coconut palms border the shore and the Indian Ocean gently laps at the powdered sand. Reefs are washed by warm waves, and colorful tropical fish dart among the coral.
Built in 1875 in honor of Prince Albert Edward of Wales to Ceylon visit, clock tower of Jaffna is among the first feature you notice when you arrive in the city. The clock stands among the landmarks in the city.
You may wonder why visit a clock tower. Well, during your visit to this tower, you will get to interact with locals and get to learn about the clock historical context. The Clock Tower is also the main pint for community gathering and events.
The other thing which makes this clock tower unique is because it was built in a distinctive colonial architectural style. The design is unique from the surrounding buildings.
Dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kandaswamy) Temple of Nallur is a popular temple in Jaffna District. The temple serves and the serve as the center of worship for Hindus in Jaffna. When you visit tis temple you will get to learn about the Tamil Hindu community spiritual and religious practices.
What makes this temple stand out and several other temples bearing the same name built in North America and Europe is the design. It showcases the stunning Dravidian architecture and it is characterized by vibrant sculptures, intricate carvings colorful gopurams. The designing of the artistry and ornate is also spectacular.
Built in the 10th century, this temple is a landmark and has withstood time. It is among the historical sites and important places to learn about local culture and heritage. It is among the must visit places in Jaffna.
Located near Allaippiddy village north part of Jaffna, Charty beach is a pristine beach. If you want to have peaceful time with your loved one or family, this is the ideal getaway. You can relax the beach shore as you read your favorite book, stroll along the beach or enjoy different water sport activities.
This is among the least visited places in Jaffna and this makes it perfect place to visit to enjoy the serene environment away from the crowd. The beach waters are crystal clear and this gives it beautiful scenery.
Nainatheevu is an Island in Jaffna and it takes around 2-3 hours to get there from city. It is among the most visited Islands in Sri Lanka because of various reason among them tourists enjoy the boat ride.
The Islands also draws tourist to explore the ancient sacred Hindu and Buddhist sites. Among the temples is ancient Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple. The temple dedication is to Nagapooshani goddess.
Another reason why tourists flock to this Island is to explore the beautiful beaches characterized of crystal-clear waters, and coastal landscapes. Visitors get to enjoy the enjoying picturesque views and peaceful setting.
Famously known because of the spring healing water, Keerinalain Temple is the top visited place in Jaffna. Tourists from all part of the world visit this temple to take a bath in the spring because it is believed you get healed any illness or disease.
Also, Hindu pilgrims visit this temple to seek divine favor. The Keerinalain Temple is situated around 15 kilometers from Jaffna city. It is the perfect lace to visit if you want metal freshening or relax. More so, if you are looking for spiritual and cultural enrichment, the peaceful setting and beautiful surround makes this temple the perfect place to visit.
The building of this temple is outstanding because it features the Dravidian architecture. Also, the intricate carvings showcases Tamil culture rich artistic heritage.
During the colonial era in Sri Lanka, a Royal palace was built in Jaffna specifically in Sangilean Thoopu. Hence, this is the place to visit for understanding about the history of Jaffna. Besides, it is in this place where the last memories of the last Tamil King who ruled the Yarlpana Kingdom are traced.
Among the place to visit in Sangilean Thoopu is Nellore District where there are still remnants of the royal palace antique bathing pool. The other place to visit is Nallur Temple.
If you are looking for an adventure in Jaffna, you should take the 1 boat ride to from Kurikadduwan Pier to Delft Island. It will be a bumpy ride but enjoyable. The Island is locally called Neduntheevu and the inhabitants are Tamil civilians.
The 3 things which makes tourist visit this Island is to explore the historical ruins, see the wild horses and baobab trees. Among the ruins which you can explore is a temple which was built during the Chola dynasty and the Dutch colonial fort.
Approximately 400 years ago, during the Dutch colonial era, they came with horses which were untamed and after they failed to tame them released them to the wild. Even after all those years, these horses still are found in the Island and their population increased. You should carry with you a camera to capture pictures of these magnificent animals as they explore the surroundings.
When exploring this Island you will not fail to notice the baobab trees. Originally, these trees are found in Africa and were brought to the Island by the Arabian sailors several centuries ago.
For an insight into the life in Jaffna, you should visit the Jaffna Market. The market is located at the heart of the city and it is where the local sell fresh produce. The makeshift booths and vibrant colors characterize the market.
If you've visited the markets in Colombo, you may have observed how produce is brought in from various regions to be sold in the island. It is not the case in Jaffna market because only the locally produced crops cultivated in the north are sold there. So, you will come across numerous booths filled with locally manufactured sweets as well as fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Dambulla cave most visited place in Sri Lanka. Dating back to the 12th Century AD, this is the largest temple building in Sri Lanka. It is among the reason t is the most visited place.
The historical and culture importance of various historical sites among them the temples and forts is what makes Jaffna famous.
The following are the best places to visit in Jaffna:
After you have arrived in Colombo, you can take a train to Jaffna. The ride will take around 8 hours. From there you can take bus, tuk-tuk or taxi to different places you want to visit.