JAFFNA
The Jaffna peninsula, situated at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, is reawakening after years of hardship and is slowly becoming an attraction for the more adventurous and resilient traveler to Sri Lanka who yearns to see parts of the country that were previously off limits to tourists.
The North East monsoon rains are between October to January, although in many ways the best time to visit is when the lagoons are filled with water, the land is a resplendent Green and migrant water birds are an attraction for bird lovers.
Other tourists activities in jaffna are slowly growing, although it should be recognised that the region has many priorities ahead of equipping itself for the tourists trade as people begin the rebuild their lives.
Cycling is popular on the quiet, flat roads and you can spend a few hours exploring the town , pausing at sites such jaffna market and the majestic Nallur Kovil, which is the most important Hindu temple in the jaffna region .jaffna Fort was severely damaged during the terrorist conflict, and now houses a Sri Lanka army garrison, but restoration work is underway with financial assistance from the Dutch government. Jaffna Library has also been recorded after suffering heavily during the conflict.
Crab curry is a speciality of the Jaffna region and with Royal Road To Sri Lanka help you can learn the art of preparing this sumptuous dish. To add to the pleasure , you will have ample time to sit down and eat it afterwards.
The isolated islands just off jaffna coast are also fascinating to explore. Take a trip on a local ferry to Delft island- about one – and -a- half hours each way to discover a simple, escapist Island where wild horses roam the plains, and explore the ruins of a Portuguese Fort.
Palmyrah Art Tour
The northern peninsula of the island is a vivid mix of cultural, crafts and cuisine. The towering palmyrah trees that dominate the arid landscape of Jaffna, have become an inexplicable part of its unique fabric of life. Palmyrah weaving in Jaffna is a skill of tradition and patience where talented village women combine vibrant palmyrah leaves to create beautiful material.Head for the karainager Island with your friendly host to witness dainty palmyrah Art in the making. Your host will take you to a little village in karainager where you will visit a humble aboard of a weaver who has been conjuring intricate patterns with palmyrah leaves since decades. Learn about the painstaking process of weaving palmyrah leaves starting from drying the leaves, dying in various colours, and finally weaving beautiful crafts. The palmyrah leaves are transformed into simple yet beautiful crafted patterns that can be utilised n day to day life. Explore the range of products including baskets, hats, wall hangings and boxes, which are fashioned out of palmyrah leaves.
Finally, take a stroll along the serene casuarina beach, which is located in close proximity to the weavers village. You can even take a leisurely dip enjoying the balmy breeze that sooths your body and mind . Also , catch a glimpse of the golden sunset that tints the northern sky in brilliant shades of colour.
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
The Nallur kandaswamy kovil is one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent Hindu temples. Since it’s ori connection in 948 AD , the building has been rebuilt four times but is still a fascinating cultural site to explore. Enter through the kovil’s main entrance one of four gateways to this extensive religious complex which is framed by an ornately carved five storey tower made in a Dravidian architectural style, and explore the inner courtyard which has shrines for Lord Ganesh, vairayar, sun and sandana Gopala. In the southern wing, you will find the thandayudhapaani shrine which is deducted to Lord Muruga ( the Temples presiding deity is lord murugan) , and a holy pond . There is also a looked underground cellar which contains several chola bronzes from the 10th century that had been donated to the shrine by the chola queen sembiyan Mahadevi.Jaffna Island
The Jaffna Islands are fascinating to explore. Spend a day out at Delft island with its small village homes, wild horse that roam the plains, and ruins of a Portuguese Fort. Nainativu Island is easier to access and is home to the ancient Nagadeepa Buddhist temple and the Naga pooshani Ambal Hindu temple.Jaffna Food
Traditional jaffna cuisine has a distinct flavour that is different to the rest of the country and is closer to South Indian cuisine in taste . Thosai, idly, pittu, vades rice and curries including seafood and meats ( mainly mutton) are cooked with local herbs and spices and are rich in their flavours . Kool seafood soup, bone Rasam, Mutton Poriyal, fiery jaffna crab curry, Brinjal and Murunga ( vegetable known as drums sticks), are all signature dishes in Jaffna. Rise early and head to a local eatery for breakfast served on a banana leaf with a hot cup of milk tea. Jaffna sweets are in planty and the legendary Rio ice cream is a must have . The young and the old throng to this ice cream parlour on point Pedro Road for their three scoops of ice cream topped with jelly and mangos.
Eateries, Cafes And Restaurant
Anuradhapura to Jaffna on A9 route:• The Rest House Medawachchiya run by the Ceylon Hotels Corporation. Next town to Anuradhapura traveling north, this is one of several hotels and rest houses across the island run by Ceylon Hotels corporation. Serves up traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, snacks, cool drinks, tea and coffee.
Jaffna
• Mangos, 359/3 Temple Rd, Nallur, Located Walking distance from the Nallur Kandalamy Kovil, this simple restaurant with an open sided pavilion , serves good vegetarian Jaffna cuisine and South Indian dishes. Open daily form 7.00 am 10.00pm
• Rio ice cream 448A point Pedro Rd ( just minutes away from the Nallur Kovil. Serves a range of home made ice cream, jaffna sweets, And some savoury pastries. Open daily from 9.00am 10.00pm
• chelva Mahal, 1229 KKS Road , proonari Marathadi is Located about 15 minutes north of Jaffna town and en route when visiting the sites of chunnakam and beyond. Chelva Mahal serves good jaffna crab curry as well as a range of other vegetarian and non-veg dishes, local version of Chinese food, snacks and cool drinks. Adjoining is their wedding reception hall which can get busy if there is a wedding taking place.
Tel: 0212219779
• Jaffna Heritage Hotel, Temple Road, Nallur close to Nallur Kovil, the restaurant at this hotel serves vegetarian Sri Lankan cuisine and western dishes.
• Hotel subhas, 49 Victoria Rd. Serves up vegetarian and non veg Jaffna cuisine and dishes from South India ( especially kerala). Snakes and some western dishes are also available.
• Fits pavilion,40 Kandy Road,chundikulli (on the A9 Route entering Jaffna) The Restaurant at this guesthouse serves authentic vegetarian and non- veg Jaffna cuisine and western dishes.
Fort Hammenheil, karaingar, Located about an hour west of Jaffna town close to casuarina beach , Fort Hammenheil is a Heritage site where the Sri Lankan Navy runs a Restaurant. Sri Lankan And western cuisine, snacks and cool drinks are served in an a/c Restaurant looking out to sea . This is the only lunch stop in the area.
Jaffna Crab Curry Cooking Class
Jaffna cuisine is distinctive in Sri Lanka, influenced by the species and other ingredients used in South Indian curries and renowned for its use of fresh seafood, particularly crab . Jaffna crab curry is praised throughout Sri Lanka as one of the most delicious curries made on the island. Join a chef at a boutique hotel in Jaffna and learn to make this delicious dish , from learning how to clean and prepare the crabs- which may be lagoon crabs or sea crabs, depending on availability to which spices should be include in the curry . The experience is more observational than hands on, but is still a great way to spend a morning and ends with one of the most delicious meals you will have during your holiday in Sri Lanka. The mouth- watering curry is served with plain rice and a range of other curries which are commonly served across the island, as well as local specialties like ‘rasam’ A clear soup laced with subtle spices.Birdwatching in Jaffna
During the migrant session ( September to March),birdwatching in jaffna is a highlight for wildlife lovers. Migrant birds, along with other waders, flock to the lagoon in the their thousands, which is a breath-taking sight not be missed. The best time to visit jaffna for birdwatching is towards the end of the year when the lagoons are filled with water, the paddy field and vegetation are lush green and the air is cooler.Jaffna Lagoon and Kayts Causeway
During the migrant session, this region become a hotspot for waders, ducks and rare migrant birds . Lesser Sand plovers, Little stints, Black- tailed Godwits , Mash sandpipers, Little Ringed plovers in large numbers can be seen feeling on the sides of the road . Thousands of Gargany , Northern shoveler, pintail and a few common Teal can be seen feeling in the waters of these lagoons. The pink flocks of Greater Flamingos will take your breath away for sure as you watch these graceful birds resting in large numbers on the causeways.
Karainager Causeway
A 4km Causeway which links the mainland to karaituva island ( also known as karainagar) and borders the Jaffna Lagoon and the ocean. This stunning landscape is made even more beautiful during the migrant season when thousands of birds flock to the lagoon.
