Bordering the well-known Nilavarai Bottomless Well (also called the Puttur Well) and the nearby Sivan Kovil lie the little-known ruins of an ancient Buddhist site—one that has faded from public memory but once bore significant religious and historical importance.
The museum houses a rich and varied collection of archaeological and cultural artifacts either discovered in the region or donated by individuals. These include stone sculptures of both Buddhist and Hindu origin, ornaments made of beads, ancient coins, ivory and metal objects, ceramic ware, wooden artifacts, colonial-era gravestones (spanning from the Dutch to British periods), and dolls.
The Sri Naga Viharayas beginnings date back to 1892, when a small group of Buddhists in Jaffna leased a quarter-acre plot of jungle near the Ariyankulam Tank from the local Sivan Kovil. They built a modest image house for worship, though no Sinhalese monks visited Jaffna during that time.
This Trigonometrical Station is built on a square platform with 4 steps on all four sides. Four cylindrical pillars stand on the platform. The diameter of each cylinder gradually decreases as it goes higher. The Bottom cylinder is shorter than the other 3. The top 3 cylinders seem to be of the same height.
The ancient Bo Tree at Paralay Murugan Kovil in Chulipuram East in Walikamam West is believed to be the very first sapling of the Sri Maja Bodhi in Anuradhapura. However the Buddhist pilgrims to Jaffna seems to be have totally forgotten about this historic site today.
Pungudutivu is an island in Jaffna peninsula separated from the mainland from east by a shallow channel approximately 3.5 km away. A 3.8 km causeway connects this island to mainland. A 1.75 km wide channel to Nainativu separates the island from the west.
Hidden under palmyrah trees of the Nagadeepa island lies the strangely named Buddha Walawwa Rajamaha Viharaya shadowed by the Nagadeepa Viharaya which was visited by the Buddha during his second visit to the country, five years after his enlightenment.
Myliddy is a fishing village on the northern coast of Jaffna Peninsula. The village has its own fisheries harbour for fishing boats. The photo from 1971 shows this church in ruins with only walls remaining.
The most significant item at Santhaiyaar Madam (Ambalama) in Manipay is the ancient pond which is the Pond built with the coral stone. The pond is about 12 meters long and slants towards the bottom of the tank from the side of the road. Steps has been built for easy access to the water when the water levels are low.
The church at Chankanai was initially built in 1641 by the Portuguese but later rebuilt by the Dutch. Only the massive walls with arches remain today of this building which is now protected as an archeology monument.
This U shaped Yamuna Eri pond in Nallur has been built during 1215–1240 or 1478–1519 based on the referance source. This is believed to be a part of the Sangiliyan Mansion in Nallur.
St James’ church in Nallur, is a one of the grandest British churches in Jaffna peninsula. It was opened in 1828 on the site of the original Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil which was destroyed by the Portuguese.
The ruins of the ancient Dutch Church lies adjoining the new St Anthony’s Church. Although the roof had caved in, the huge walls of the church stands tall by the beach on the sandy land.
An ancient pond and other ruins lying on the Point Pedro road at Nelliadi North by the Muthukumara Swamy Kovil. Made of limestone this tank is about 10 meters long.
An unkown small limestone cave can be found in Keeramale just before the Nakuleswaram Kovil near the freshwater spring. The cave lies in a bare land covered in scrub jungle just before the kovil. This is rather unknown and best obtain a villager to explore this site.
The limestone caves at Periya Mandapam is a true wonder of nature. A large open pit exposes a circle of caverns spreading in all directions. A large Tamarind (Siyambala) Tree stands at the center of the pit providing a natural roof for the caves.
The Pokkanai 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.
A couple of limestone caves in Mayakkai, Jaffna peninsula from which prehistoric stone hand axes have been discovered. No proper scientific research has been carried out at this site yet.
With part of the Ruins of the Manalkadu Dutch Church buried under the sand due to continued attack of sandy winds for over 100 years, this land mark is provides a unique experience for the visitor.
The Six Pillar Choultry (Aru Kaal Madam) is built on a 70cm high platform with six pillars holding the roof and open from all sides. The other components of this building lies left to this structure.
