Tips To Travel To Jaffna

1. It’s very common to get bad tummies when you visit Jaffna. We strongly advise you to have water that has been properly disinfected for drinking and to avoid street food and drinks. It’s also best not to consume prawns and Palmyrah toddy together as it’s known as the main cause for tummy upsets.

2.Almost all the people in the region have a sad story to tell as a result of the 30 years of civil war. Hence, it’s advisable not to discuss politics / religion or language differences with common people when you visit the state as tourists.

3.Removing shoes / hats / sunglasses when entering religious sites is a norm. Bathing clothes or a pair of shorts (for ladies) would be ideal even when bathing in the sea.

4.Try to stay indoors during day time and start touring in the evenings to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight.

5.Support Sri Lankan Army at all times as there can be rapid rounds of security check-ups taking place in the area to ensure the safety of the civilians.

6. Must Try Food - Jaffna Mangoes / Jaffna Grapes / Dry chilies soaked in curd / Palmyrah toddy / Jaffna Crab curry / Jaffna Prawn curry / Chicken Kolambu / Odiyal Kool / Rio Ice cream / murukku

7. Where to Stay in Jaffna- Fort Hammenheil Resort / Jaffna Heritage Hotel / Green Grass hotel

Website: http://www.holidaysinsrilanka.net/ for further information on touring Sri Lanka

Contact: 020 7100 2323

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Jaffna - The Cultural Hub of Northern Sri Lanka

Jaffna - The Cultural Hub of Northern Sri Lanka

I was barely two years old when the political unrest took place in the country and as a Sri Lankan Sinhalese, I never imagined that I could visit Jaffna in my life time. However, during the past few years situations got drastically changed (for the better), barricades were thrown away and Jaffna was made unveiled to the world outside.

Thousands of people from all over the places started visiting postwar Jaffna city and found the place remarkable. Today, when the country is celebrating the 06th year of true independence, we still see how eager the people are to explore the less visited region.

This article aims to provide you some detailed information about Jaffna, presuming that it will be a true guide to those who wish visit the place.


Elephant pass:

It is the access point to the Jaffna Peninsula therefore referred to as the Gateway to Jaffna. Due to its strategic location, it has been a military base since 1760. Portuguese built a fort in 1760, Dutch rebuilt and garrisoned it in 1776 and Brits continued to demonstrate power from there until it was handed over to the Sri Lankan Government. Today the Sri Lankan Army takes control of the locale.

The artillery on display speaks a lot about the time passed and the lives taken by the war. Don’t forget capture some pics of the breathtaking views of the lagoon.





Jaffna Library

The Jaffna library was one of the best in Asia before being burned down during the riots. Currently, it’s back to function and it is open for public viewing as well. It is one of the monumental buildings in Jaffna. Don’t miss visiting it. It’s a few minutes from Jaffna town.

Nagadeepa

Nagadeepa temple is one of the three places in Sri Lanka where Lord Buddha has visited. Hence, it is an important destination for Buddhist pilgrims. It’s believed that before the arrival of Buddhism, people in the region worshiped Nagas (serpents) and Lord Buddha visited the place to settle a dispute between two Naga kings Chulodara and Mahodara.

According to Mahavamsa chronicles and the Tamil Buddhist epic Manimekalai, a gem-studded throne which was offered to Buddha by the kings, was returned to them again and was later enshrined in the stupa located next to the temple.

Pilgrims have to get in and out to the island by boats which are provided by the Sri Lanka army. Importantly, one should expect the least during this short boat trip. The boats can be heavily packed by pilgrims and you might feel the need of more air to breathe in the middle of the sea…. Luckily, the journey is short hence one can hold on until s/he gets down. Take sufficient water and snacks to survive in the island as the island is almost barren except for the religious places. A hat will save you from the harsh sun and covered shoes will put your feet at ease. ( My rubber slippers got melted and started sticking on the floor a few minutes after disembarking from Nainatiuv Jetty !!! )

Caution:- If you are hiring Jeeps / mini tractors in the land to look around, it’s important that you check the vehicles and agree on a price before getting in. There can be people who try to demand for extra money, blaming you for the damages in the vehicles. (broken seats / cushion or jeep covers.)


Nallur Temple

Nallur Kandasamy Kovil is Jaffna's premier place of Hindu worship. While the gopuram (golden arch) attracts hundreds of pilgrims and worshippers, the present building of the kovil goes back to the eighteenth century. The temperature is very high during the day time hence if you feel tired and thirsty, don’t forget to try out ice creams from the famous ice cream shop (Lingan Cool bar) nearby. The kovil is about 1Km from the Jaffna town.



Casuarina beach

It is one of the best beaches in the Jaffna peninsula with shallow waters and very gentle waves. Hence, it’s considered as an ideal place for safe sea bathing. You can walk a long way towards the sea in the clear water.


Check out the sand on the beach. It’s simply white. Pearl white.







There are houses for rent if you want stay in this area, and it is around 15 Km away from Jaffna Town. You get a few local restaurants on the beach but it’s best not to expect too much than a full tummy.



Keerimalai pond (fertility pond)

Keerimalai is renowned for its natural water spring where illnesses and sicknesses are cured miraculously after bathing in it. It’s also called as the fertility pond as it’s believed that the women who do not have children get conceived if /when they take a dip in the pond. Only a stone wall separate the pool from the sea but the water is very fresh.

There is a Hindu Temple called Naguleeswaram Temple is situated near to the Keerimali pond and is very popular among Hindu’s. The nearest place is Kankeesanthurai and situated northern tip of the Jaffna peninsula around 15 Km away from Jaffna Town.




Jaffna Fort:

The ancient fort in Jaffna which is situated on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula 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 to facilitate trading activities of Sri Lanka’s northern region indicate not only of Jaffna’s strategic importance to Europeans but its significance throughout Sri Lanka’s history.

Bottomless well:

Nilavarai Well – a natural underground water well – thought to be bottomless has many fascinating legends adding to the mysteries that encircle it.

Almost all legends are connected with the Ramayana, which includes the chronicles of Rama – the seventh avatar of God Vishnu. According to legend, Seetha, wife of Rama, while on the return journey to India was overcome with thirst and as there was no water to be found, Rama had bravely shot an arrow on to the earth creating a well. Many believe this to be the origin of Nilavarai. It is also a known fact that the Well has been a source of fresh water since the olden days and has never seems to deplete. It is also used for irrigation activities in the area.

People around the area claim that the first 40 feet of the Well contains fresh water while the water after this point is deemed to be salty, probably attesting to a connection to the sea at Kankasanturai. The Well has two tunnels and some say that these tunnels are connected to the Keerimalai ponds located near Naguleswaram Temple in Jaffna, while others say that the Well has a connection with an underground tunnel in Matale (central province), which is hundreds of miles from here. Some say that a gentleman has put a marked lemon in the waters to find that it surfaced at the Keerimalai ponds.

Adding to the Well’s enigmatic aura, according to the folk who live in the area, some foreign scuba divers had attempted to explore the Well with the aid of ropes and oxygen tanks. Yet, they all have turned back without being able to find the ending point of it.

Having listened to all mysteries, I too looked deep into the water to see if I can see any trace of the bottom of the Well. Thereafter, I decided to remain silent. Silent, like the Well itself…but I could not stop wondering if all the legends are related to the deities, one of them must have surely sprinkled a pinch of magical blue in to the water as well?


Delft:

Though thousands of people visit Nainativu island on daily basis, a few show interest to explore the Delft island. We believe it’s due to the bumpy roads and the tough route one has to take before getting into ferry. Even the ferries are less in number and sea is rough. However, if you go there I am certain you will not regret.

The island has a very small population who live harmoniously with the soldiers of Sri Lanka Army. In the island, weather is extremely harsh and finding fresh water to drink is a huge challenge. During the time when Dutch ruled the country, the island was used for breeding horses and the wild ponies are a legacy left behind by them. You will see wild ponies all over Jaffna, but not as many as you see in Delft.

One can also see the ‘growing stone’, ruins of a castle built by Portuguese ,a pigeon house and a fort built by Dutch with dead coral rock in this partially deserted island.












Website: http://www.holidaysinsrilanka.net/ for further information on touring Sri Lanka
Contact: 020 7100 2323
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Notes On Trincomalee by Elephant Island Holidays

Notes On Trincomalee by Elephant Island Holidays


The best thing about Sri Lanka in my opinion are the beaches and there is a beach to suite every fancy in the tropical Island. The most popular ones being Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Mirissa, which are at its best from December to end March but the rest of the year it’s tad too rough to swim in.

What about the rest of the year and what if we want tovisit Sri Lanka in summer with our kids? Would be your next question right? The best thing about the end of the war in Sri Lankan is the island is accessible to all! The Elephant Island team decided to take trip to the Eastern coastal town of Trincomalee in the weekend of 20th February and check out the famous Nilaveli Beach resort and surroundings to see if it’s a place actually worth seeing and recommending to you to spend your summer beach break.

Following would be our comments

Town of Trincomalee
Frankly the town of Trincomalee is a beaten up dusty shanty town with a labyrinth of small alleys and rows of small shops. But the strangest thing about this town worth mentioning is the population of deer that roams the streets like stray cattle would in any other town in Sri Lanka entertaining to watch yet a bit queer.











Fort Frederic and Swarmy Rock

The only historical and cultural site worth visiting in the town of Trincomalee is the Koneswaram Temple inside Fort Frederic. Built by the Dutch as all the other Forts built around the island the Galle Fort being the most significant one. An interesting fun fact about this place is at the time of the British rule the Swarmy Rock was considered as a ‘Lover’s Leap’ The so called Sri Lankan mistresses would watch the ships set sail with their lovers and jump of the cliff and commit suicide. Rather macabre I do agree! However the view from the top of Swarmy rock of the Trincomalee habour is fabulous.







Place To Stay at Trincomalee


There’re a string of guest houses located on the Orr’s hill road over looking the Harbour but the only place worth mentioning would be the Welcombe Hotel considered as the oldest hotel in Trincomalee has a fantastic view of the Habour and clean comfortable rooms.

Nilaveli Beach

Our stop for the night was the Nilaveli Beach hotel 12 Kms from Trinco pasing fields of onions and palm groves. After getting completely destroyed by the Tsunami 2004 is now rebuilt and recently opened was looking fantastic with a new interior and furniture. A good 3 star hotel that is value for money and the higher category rooms can be recommended if you are looking for a bit more luxury.






Pigeon Island

A small island of the coast of Nilaveli and a good snorkeling spot. Nilaveli Bach Hotel offers it’s guest boat rides to the island first one leaving at 7:30 in the morning and the last one to come back at 5 p.m. If you are there take a picnic basket and some snorkeling gear and spend the day!(The hotel provides snorkels for free but they are not the best of quality)











Website: http://www.holidaysinsrilanka.net/ for further information on touring Sri Lanka
Contact: 020 7100 2323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elephant.island.lk