Jaffna

The Mekong River has played a pivotal role in the history of Southeast Asia. It is an appealing destination with lots of hidden gems. Originating from Tibetan Plateau and stretching about 4,500 kilometres, Mekong River is the world’s 12 longest river. The river flows through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and is a crucial interconnection among these countries and cultures. ...

Journey along the Mekong River; Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap The Mekong River has played a pivotal role in the history of Southeast Asia. It is an appealing destination with lots of hidden gems. Originating from Tibetan Plateau and stretching about 4,500 kil…

I spent the year 2019 working in Karratha and traveling around the Pilbara region in Western Australia. It is an amazing region with so much to do but the outback road trip from Karratha to Garry Junction was the highlight of my adventures. It provided me a true taste of Australian outback experience. Map from Karratha to Garry Junction This iconic road trip is the ultimate challenge for outback travelers. [ 3,126 more words ]

Outback Travel; an Ultimate Aussie Adventure I spent the year 2019 working in Karratha and traveling around the Pilbara region in Western Australia. It is an amazing region with so much to do but the outback road trip from Karratha to Garry J…

Jaffna is the traditional homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils. Their social manners are far surpassed that of any Tamils I knew in other parts of Sri Lanka. What really fascinated me was their culture. Jaffna Tamils belong to a high culture and education plays a major role in their life. According to a popular belief among Jaffnaities of all walks of life, an average Jaffna child “must” become a doctor, lawyer or an engineer! [ 1,847 more word ]

Nallur Festival Jaffna is the traditional homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils. Their social manners are far surpassed that of any Tamils I knew in other parts of Sri Lanka. What really fascinated me was their culture. …

Kayts is an important island in Jaffna which can access by a causeway.

It is a lovely little country town with its own charm. Not many people are interested to visit the town and therefore Kayts had not changed much from the past. You can experience Sri Lankan countryside back in 70s, if you go off the beaten track!

Traces of the civil war are still evident in Kayts town, where there are number of dilapidated houses and shops with battle scars.

Jaffna Fort was originally built by the Portuguese nearly four hundred years ago and later expanded by the Dutch, spanning an area of 55 acres. It is designed in the shape of a pentagon and a classic example of Dutch architecture in Sri Lanka.

British occupied the fort later but did not do any major changes to the original Dutch structure.

This was heavily damaged during the 30 years civil war and all the original Dutch buildings were destroyed.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is one of the most majestic Hindu temples in Jaffna. According to the Yalpana Vaipava Malai, Chempaha Perumal (also known as Sapumal Kumaraya) who ruled the Jaffna province on behalf of the Kotte kingdom is credited with either building or renovating the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. The Kovil then stood at Sankilian Thopu on the eastern side of the Point Pedro Road.

The Portuguese who captured Jaffna Kingdom demolished the Temple leaving no traces in 1621.

Jaffna fell to Dutch in 1658 and the temple was allowed to be rebuilt in the current location in 1734 by Ragunatha Mappana Mudaliyar as a humble temple dedicated to lord Murugan. The descendants of Mappana Mudaliyar, who were the temple trustees had taken the task of restoring the temple to its present splendour.

The annual festival of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (Mahotsavam) is conducted during August for 25 days. Crowds of devotees attending the elaborate "Poojas" daily and it is the largest hindu temple festival in the Jaffna peninsula. During the Nallur festival season this temple puts on its most colourful face.

Visit Jaffna Travel Guide. https://getoffthebeatentrack.com/jaffna-travel-guide/

This is my travel blog.
It is free and in this blog I want to document and share some of my experiences in Jaffna. I have included travel tips which will be helpful to plan your journey.