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.
Historically known as Urathota, Kayts was a vital port for elephant exports, eventually renamed by the Portuguese as “Caes dos Elefantes.” This horseshoe-shaped fort featured massive walls and artillery bastions. Though it fell into ruin under Dutch rule, its archaeological remains and ancient Tamil inscriptions highlight its strategic maritime importance.
The Nilavarai Bottomless Well is is caused by collapse of the top layer, exposing a limestone cavern connected to a underground water source. It is said that this well never dries up even during severe drought and the water is used by the farmers in the surrounding area.
The whole island of Delft is built on coral and limestone. The island is a typical remote Sri Lankan village. Simple housed built of coral and limestone, laid-back life and the most popular form of transport is bicycle.
Considered the largest if not one the largest Ambalama in Sri Lanka, Sirappar Madam (ambalama) would have been built for pilgrims to Nakuleswaram Kovil in the ancient past.
The old Dutch Kachcheri in Jaffna lies in ruins today after facing the brunt of the war with the LTTE Tamil tiger terrorists for 30 years. The building dates back to the mid 18th century and the details of the origin of this building has been lost in time.
The Casuarina Beach in Karainagar is considered the best beach in the Jaffna Peninsula. The beach lies on the north of Karativu island, one of the largest island in the peninsula which is connected to the mainland over a causeway. This beach is also called and written as Casoorina, Cashoorina and few other variants.
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa was a highly decorated and respected General who was assassinated along with 9 other military officers in a land-mine explosion in Jaffna peninsula in August 8th of 1992.
This abandoned mansion built with a mixture of colonial and hindu architecture is called the Manthiri Manai in Tamil which translates to Ministers Adobe.
Poothathamby Arch (Sangili Toppu) in Jaffna is an lone arch belonging to Dutch Era on the Point Pedro road with a colorful history of its owner Poothathamby, who was executed by the Dutch for treason.
The Northern tip of Sri Lanka (Sakkotai Cape) is marked by a concrete board on the edge of a corral reef with a Sri Lankan Flag painted on it along the road of Kankasanthure and Velvetithurai. This site is easily reachable by any vehicle along the road which goes along the beach. .
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.
Nallur Kandaswamy Temple lies about 3 km from the Jaffna town on the KKS (Kankasanthurai) Road. This is one of the most important temples in the Jaffna Peninsula and the most well known.
Nagapooshani Amman Kovil on the island of Nainativu is a very ancient Hindu temple. It is believed that this temple was originally erected many millennia before by the Nagas who were a pre-historic race of people of Sri Lanka.
Ancient Kadurugoda Viharaya (Kantarodai) is one of the very few Buddhist sites remaining in Jaffna today. The site was discovered in 1917 by the Magistrate P.E. Pieris where he reported that bricks from this site is being carried a way by cart loads by the residents around the area for building of houses.
Dambakola Patuna or Jambukola Patuna is an ancient port in the north of Jaffna which was used during pre christian times. After Arahath Mahinda brought Bhuddhism to Sri Lanka in 250BC, his sister, Theri Sanghamitta arrived in Sri Lanka with a Sacred Bo Sapling one year later to this port.
Point Padro lighthouse lies in the North Eastern corner of Sri Lanka. Built in 1916, this is 32 m (105 ft) tall. Access to the light house was restricted for the last 30 years due to the Tamil Terrorists in the area. After the defeat of the last strong holds of the terrorists in end 2009, the public can now have access to this area
The Kankesanthure lighthouse (Kankesanthurai/KKS) lies in the vicinity of the KKS harbour.Both the harbour and the lighthouse is surrounded by an ancient fortified wall built by the Portuguese and the Dutch.
Situated on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula at the water’s edge of the lagoon, the ancient Jaffna Fort is the second largest existing fort in the Island. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1619 and re-built and expanded by the Dutch during the second half of the 17th and the 18th centuries.
Strategically perched on a coral outcrop, Hammenhiel Fort guarded the Jaffna Lagoon. Originally Portuguese, it was captured by the Dutch in 1658 after a water shortage forced surrender. Named for its position on the “heel” of Ceylon’s ham-shaped map, this octagonal water fort now serves as a unique boutique hotel.
