Jaffna

Traveling to Jaffna will provide one with an altogether different experience than the rest of the country. Just by stepping into the city, one will feel like entering into a completely new world. The North of Sri Lanka is totally the world apart from rest of the country due to its closeness with Southern part of India. This part of the country has been repeatedly invaded and settled by Tamil Indians and hence it carries the vast cultural difference. The town was the center of the majority of civil wars and battles. But the days of doom and isolation have past gone for the town as it is now emerging as one of the most visited tourist destinations of Sri Lanka.

The first and foremost attraction for the traveler in the fascinating town of Jaffna will definitely be the mixture of colonial charm and vibrant Sri Lankan Tamil culture. The town smells like India in terms of food, feels like India in terms of people and sounds like India as one can easily listen to the sound of Indian pop music inside the cafe or on the roads. But the town has a unique identity of its own and is controlled by mixed communities namely Muslim, Portuguese, Dutch, British and Sinhalese. The churches can be seen rubbing shoulders with temples and streets are lined up with beautiful Dutch and British homes. Yet, on the other hand, Jaffna is green and leafy and has attractive palm-shaded colonial-era suburbs and beautiful temples and churches. The peninsula and surrounding islands offer a string of remote temples, Hindu and Buddhist alike, beaches and more offbeat tourist attractions. The popular sightseeing destinations in Jaffna include Jaffna Fort, Nallur Temple, Selva Sannithi Temple, Nagapoosani Temple, Nagadeepa Temple and Sri Naga Vihara Temple. One can also visit Jaffna during Nallur Kovil Thaer Thiruvizha (Chariot Festival), Harvest Festival or Tamil New Year to explore the spirit of the city at its rawest best.