Nagadeepa Viharaya at Nainativu, Jaffna

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Nagadeepa Stupa where a Gem Studded Throne is enshrined. — Nagadeepa Stupa, where a Gem Studded Throne is enshrined.

Nagadeepa Viharaya marks the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka to settle a Naga king’s dispute. Enshrining a gem-studded throne, this sacred Jaffna site survived civil conflict to become a rebuilt pilgrimage hub, accessible via a scenic causeway and boat journey.

The Second Visit of the Buddha

The origins of Nagadeepa Viharaya are traced to the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, which took place in the fifth year after his Enlightenment.

According to the Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lanka, the Buddha journeyed to Nagadipa to mediate a conflict between two Naga kings, Mahodara and his nephew Chulodara. The dispute, which centered on a gem-studded throne, had escalated to the brink of war. Following the Buddha’s sermon on reconciliation, both rulers were pacified and, in an act of devotion, offered the throne to him. During this encounter, a significant number of Nagas embraced Buddhism.

The sacred throne was subsequently returned to the Naga kings and later enshrined within a stupa at this site. This chaitya, known as the Nagadeepa Seya, is regarded as one of the sixteen most sacred sites of veneration for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Historical records indicate that the site was developed and restored by devout rulers such as Devanampiyatissa and Dutugemunu, eventually evolving into a fully established sacred complex. The Vallipuram Golden Sannasa, an inscription attributed to the reign of King Vasabha, identifies the present-day Jaffna Peninsula as the ancient Nagadeepa. Over many centuries, Nagadeepa Viharaya has been associated with both Tamil Buddhists and Tamil communities.

Status During the Terrorist Activities

From the 1950s onward, a number of violent incidents involving non-Buddhist groups were reported in the Nagadeepa area. In 1958, communal unrest led to an attack on the vihara in the absence of its resident monk, during which the ancient statue of the Buddha was destroyed.

In 1986, two members of the LTTE terrorist organization from Nainatheevu Island planted underwater explosives near the jetty. In 1990, the LTTE terrorists attempted to expel the small Muslim population of Nainatheevu. During both of these incidents, the incumbent chief monk of Nagadeepa Viharaya, Venerable Brahmanawatte Dhammakiththi Tissa Mahanayaka Thera, played a key role in safeguarding the lives of civilians.

Post-Conflict Developments

Following the defeat of the LTTE in 2009, Nagadeepa Viharaya entered a period of revival, emerging as a prominent center of religious tourism. The temple complex was rebuilt through the contributions of both local and international Buddhist communities. This restoration included the construction of a prominent silver-colored stupa and image houses featuring Buddha statues gifted by countries such as Thailand and Myanmar.

Getting to Nagadeepa Island from Jaffna

A pilgrimage to Nagadeepa is as much about the journey as the destination itself. The route from Jaffna extends across a long causeway to the island of Kayts, followed by another causeway leading to Punkudutivu Island. The surrounding landscape is notably flat and sandy, interspersed with numerous palm trees, presenting a terrain distinct from much of the rest of Sri Lanka.

From the Kurikadduwan Jetty in Punkudutivu, regular boat services operate to Nagadeepa Island. These boats do not follow a fixed schedule and typically depart once filled. They are often crowded, which may not appeal to all visitors. The fare is approximately LKR 100 per person per trip, while private boats can be hired for around LKR 2,000–3,000. The total distance from Jaffna to Nagadeepa is approximately 30 km (18.6 miles) and the boat ride takes roughly 20 minutes.

At Nainatheevu, two jetties are located—one serving the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil and the other Nagadeepa Viharaya. The stopping point depends on the majority of passengers, with boats typically docking near the respective place of worship. Public and private bus services operate regularly between Jaffna and Punkudutivu, with boat departures generally timed to coincide with bus arrivals. The total distance from Jaffna to Nagadeepa is approximately 30 km (18.6 miles).

Nagapooshani Amman Kovil - Nagadeepa Viharaya - Jaffna

References

Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.
Medhananda Thero, E. (2005). The Sinhala Buddhist heritage in the East and the North of Shri [i.e. Sri] Lanka (1st ed.). Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Rasanayagam, C. (1984). Ancient Jaffna, Being a Research Into the History of Jaffna, From Very Early Times to the Portuguese Period (Reprint ed.). Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1926)
Ariyaratne, S. (2006). The Tamil Buddhist. Godage.
Blaze, L. E. (1933). History of Ceylon. Christian Literature Society.
Brito, C. (Trans.). (1879). The Yalpana-Vaipava-Malai (Reprint ed., 2007). Asian Educational Services.
Japanese Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage (JCIC-Heritage). (2014). Survey Report on the Protection and Utilisation of Cultural Property in the Northern and Northeastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
Kannangara, E. T. (1993). Jaffna and the Sinhala Heritage (Revised ed.). Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Kariyawasam, A. G. S. (1995). Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka. Buddhist Publication Society.
Pieris, P. E. (1917). Nagadipa and Buddhist remains in Jaffna. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), 26(70), 11-30.
Siriwardana, T. (n.d.). Tamil Buddhists and Terrorism.

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Travel Directions to Nagadeepa Viharaya at Nainativu, Jaffna

Jaffna can be reached through two principal routes. The most commonly used approach is via Elephant Pass, which has long served as the traditional gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula.

An alternative route reaches Jaffna from the direction of Pooneryn by crossing the Sangupiddy Bridge. This crossing follows what was historically the ancient route to the peninsula before the construction of modern highways. The route provides a connection between Jaffna and the Mannar region.

Route 01 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Kurunegala (Popular Route)	Route 02 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Puttalam and Pooneryn (Lesser Traveled Route)
Through : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavuniya Distance: 410 km Travel Time: 7-8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: Puttalam – Thantirimale – Mannar – Poonaryn Distance: 408 km Travel Time: 8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.

Route from Jaffna to Nagadeepa

Through : Kaytes
Distance :32
Travel time : 45 minutes.
Driving directions : see on google map