Kayts Island, located in the Jaffna Peninsula of northern Sri Lanka, is a peaceful destination rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Once an important point in colonial trade, the island still holds ruins of Dutch and Portuguese forts, churches, and traditional settlements. Today, it is connected to the mainland by a causeway, making travel convenient. Visitors can explore quiet fishing villages, scenic lagoons, and sandy shores while experiencing authentic Tamil culture. Local livelihoods such as fishing, farming, and palmyrah-based industries continue to thrive, giving the island a timeless charm. Religious diversity is also a highlight, with sacred Hindu temples…

Casuarina beach is the most famous beach in the Northern province with shallow waters and white sandy beaches. Some small trees and shrubs provide perfect cover from the hot sun if you feel like taking a break. The shoreline of the Casuarina beach is stunning, which ends in one corner with the Karainagar lighthouse. It is an hour’s drive from Jaffna city to the beach.

Previously known as the Chundikulam sanctuary, presently, the Sri Lanka government-linked numerous forests nearby to formulate a larger protected zone as the Chundikulam National Park in 2015. The park has widespread mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. Many birds that can be seen in the park are black-tailed godwit, black-winged stilt, brown-headed gull, common sandpiper, greater flamingo, and several others. Deer and crocodiles can be seen in the park as well. The statement indicates that the leopards and bears live in the Chundikulam national park, but they are not easily found because they are not used to visitors and are very…

The Sarasalai Mangrove Ecosystem in Jaffna is a vital ecological area teeming with life and natural processes that form the backbone of the local biodiversity. These mangroves provide critical habitat for numerous species and essential services to the human communities that depend on them. Let's delve deeper into the myriad facets of this ecosystem, shedding light on its geographical setting, biological diversity, and the profound benefits it confers to nature and people.

Like the growing stone in Nagapooshani Amman kovil, there is another lesser-known growing stone in Delft Island. The history behind this stone is lost in time, but the elderly locals who have lived on the island their whole life tell that they have seen this stone grow over the years. The locals worship this stone, and it’s considered a small shrine where lamps are lit and offerings are made.

In great detail, Ralph Henry Bassett explains the Delft Dutch Fort in his book “Romantic Ceylon: Its History, Legend and Story”. It was initially assumed had been built by the Portuguese throughout their occupation of Ceylon, and Ralph describes it as a “powerful, fortified fort”. We would highly suggest this book as some quality reading material on your travels through Sri Lanka to help you develop recognition of how life was during the Colonial period through the eyes of a European traveller.

Point Pedro is the northernmost tip in Sri Lanka facing the Bay of Bengal. The lighthouse was constructed by the British in 1916 which stands 105 feet tall. Sri Lanka Navy has a basecamp nearby, and there is a significant communication tower next to the lighthouse. Yet, the lighthouse is rundown, and the staircase is broken in so many places. Hence no one climbs to the top of the lighthouse now.

KKS or Kankasanthurai has another extended beach and crystal-clear ocean. This beach managed to be the naval hub of the Sri Lankan Navy. But now, this is a family-friendly beach where numerous locals come to visit. So the beach is not crowded. The KKS lighthouse can be observed from a background as well. This is a great fishing village where the harbour is located close by as thoroughly.

Jaffna Grape farming experience offers exclusive, personal and entertaining private tours of the Jaffna regions. You can get a local owner that will assist you in planning your perfect excursion. You can pick and buy if that is on the best time.

One of the rare Lord Hanuman kovils in Sri Lanka is the Maruthanamadam Anjaneyar kovil, located near the Maruthanamadam intersection on the Jaffna-Kankesanturai way. The Brahmachari Hanuman was one of the central characters depicted in the epic Ramayana. Now at one of the far edges of this island, you can observe a 72 feet high statue of Lord Hanuman, which can be seen from far away. Aside from the daily poojas in the temple, special poojas are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays, devoted to Lord Hanuman.

It is exciting to see how an animal species entirely alien to this island have made their home here for the last 300 years. The Delft Wild Horses were formerly brought here by the Portuguese for trading purposes and to bolster their army. Since the Portuguese occupation's end, these 2000+ wild horses have roamed around and enjoyed blocking the non-existent traffic by walking along the roads. The sanctuary laws within the island allow this luxury by providing them with protection, food and water to sustain them.

These 100-meter-long horse stables have been made by the Dutch to shield their horses. The pillars on which the horses had been brought had presented the test of time, yet you can observe 64 of these pillars with 32 or both sides. These horses have been practised for the army’s use and also have been obtained with the merchants.

Sankillian Thoppu had been the central entrance to the ancient castle of Jaffna, and regrettably, only the gate still stands. The icons of King Sankillian riding a horse with a sword in hand can be observed in the town. Additionally, the Rajamantri Palace is believed to be the manor house of an old minister from the king's court. Structurally it is a two-story home, but due to the place being ignored, the secondary story is no more. Portions of the staircase that led up to the second floor can be viewed from some house areas.

According to Energy Worship/Shaktism, there are 51 sacred memorials in the society according to Energy Worship / Shaktism, a Goddess centric education in Hinduism. Out of these 51 shrines, many are in India, with 7 in Bangladesh, 3 in Pakistan, 3 in Nepal, 1 in Tibet and 1 in Sri Lanka. Naagapooshani Amman temple is the single shrine in Sri Lanka announced in Shaktism. The Nagapooshani Amman temple was first written in Shakti Peetha Stotram in the 9th century by a Hindu philosopher. That is how far the temple’s antiquity and popularity travel back.

Sangupiddy Bridge, also known as Changkupiddy Bridge, is a remarkable road bridge that spans the Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. This vital structure serves as a lifeline, connecting Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District with Karaitivu in Jaffna District. Notably, it plays a pivotal role in uniting the densely populated Jaffna Peninsula with the mainland.

Compared to the other Sri Lankan museums, a tiny museum has a rare collection of Buddhist and Hindu antiquities. The artefacts are made out of wood, metal, and stone. This is an excellent location to learn a bit of the lost culture in the Jaffna kingdom. The museum also has a cultural hall. Many who visited the museum had commented that this was more of a collection than a museum.

Neduntheevu or Nedunthivu is an island in the Park in northern Sri Lanka. Unlike the other islands, this island is named Delft in the Admiralty Chart, whose symptoms are Tamil. The island's area is 50 km², and it is almost oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km, and its maximum width is about 6 km. Life on the island is exciting yet sincere on the isle. The coral walls that surround the homes are as symbolic as the palmyra trees. There are many tales to discover apart from the Dutch remains left centuries ago.

During colonial times, birds were used for communication. Pigeons are said to have a good memory, and hence they have been used to fly from one location to the other. It's a one-hour boat ride from Delft Island to the mainland, and to think that pigeons flew over the Indian ocean for over an hour. The note was written on a bit of paper and tied to the pigeon's leg. This pigeon's nest has been constructed using corals from the ocean by the Dutch.

The Nagarkovil beach is combined with the antiquity of Jaffna in a significant way. The remains of an Ayyanaar temple can be observed on the beach. It is said that there had done a Jain temple constructed long ago, and the beach had decayed over time, and now this temple is underwater in the Indian Ocean. Another white sandy beach with a village closes by with a popular Murugan kovil with its celebration.

Elephant Pass War Memorial is an honour representation of historic achievement and pays tribute to all the brave soldiers who made it possible. The memorial was revealed amidst the proximity of the Sri Lankan military aristocracy alongside some traditional ceremonies. Two substantial bronze hands hold the image of the country aloft encircled by majestic lions. Being over 42-feet high, this structural work will drop you with a sense of awe when you see it.

This is one of the most historical Portuguese forts, also used as a jail till the 1980s. Now the fort is run like a resort, and they provide you with the comfort of napping in a cell. If you want to be “locked up” for the night time, then this would be the ideal place to be, understanding that there’s a 100% guarantee that you will be allowed out of your cell at any moment you want.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, also known as Nallur Murugan Kovil, is a major Hindu temple in Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is vital to Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu identity. It inspired cultural homage temples in Europe and North America with similar names. The holy Vel represents Lord Muruga, Siva's son, in the temple. In the 10th century, Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi gave the temple's Nallur Devi idol in Sembian bronzes.

Karaveddy, likewise known as the “Coastal Strip” in the local Tamil language, is near Point Pedro. The lagoon attracts several seasonal and endemic birds. This is an exceptional place for bird watching and suitable for Sunrise and Sunset photography as well.

There are many stories related to how this well with no bottom was created. Many European professional divers have tried to obtain the bottom of this well with professional gear, but they have given up since the well keeps on going endlessly. The locals say that the well’s water level never goes down. Some believe that this well is joined to the Keeramalai pond.

Jaffna Fort, built by the Portuguese, stands as one of the most beloved buildings in Sri Lanka to see the most significant battles. Throughout the 25-year-old civil war in Sri Lanka, the Jaffna Fort had been attacked, shot at and destroyed in some parts several times over. The first encounter it saw was in 1658, when the Dutch invaded the fort and captured it. This fort has seen so much disorder, and it has so many novels to determine. Kruys Church was established inside the fort by the Dutch in 1706, and it survived firm until the 1990s. Presently the…

The Jaffna Public Library, established about 2km from Jaffna town, is one of the city's significant attractions. Built-in 1933. Throughout the beginning 1980s, it was one of the most extensive libraries in Asia, including over 97,000 books and manuscripts. In 2001, the Library's renovation was completed, with a new building being developed and new books introduced, although its old books and papers were not replaced. It is Sri Lanka's next main public Library. Throughout the civil battle that was on at the time, the Library was burned down in 1981, and much of the valuable components of the Library were…

This is where Sangamiththa thero arrived in Sri Lanka with the sacred Bo sapling from the tree in India, under which Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment. The King and ruler of the country when King Devanampiyatissa came to Dambakolapatuna to greet Sangamiththa thero and escort them to Anuradhapura to plant the Sacred Bo tree, which stands to this day.

The Sacred Bo tree in Anuradhapura is the oldest living tree in the world with a known planting date. This Bo tree is a sprout from the original Bo tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The Sacred Bo-tree sapling was brought from India to Sri Lanka by “Sangamiththa Thero”. On the way to Sri Lanka, it’s said that they have stopped at this place upon which a temple had been built later. This is the tallest place on the island. Today the temple is in ruin.

Lord Buddha visited Nagadeepa Island to settle a dispute between Chulodara and Mahodara over a gem-studded throne. Lord Buddha taught the “Dhamma” to the two kings about compassion. The two kings were surprised by the “Dhamma”, and they ended their dispute and allowed the gem-studded authority to Lord Buddha. It is assumed that the Lord Buddha bestowed this throne to the ruler of Kelaniya, who blessed it and built the Kelaniya temple, which is placed near Colombo now.

This is a fantastic stretch of dunes that towers up to 16 meters at specific points. Many ruins are buried in these dunes, one of them being an ancient catholic church from the Dutch era, dedicated to St. Anthony’s. The walls of the church can be observed when the dunes move from time to time.