Santhu
Sri Lanka is a small island country in Asia known well known to us for multiple reasons, a country considered as the home to religious diversity, cheapest place to visit, rich natural destinations, unique cultural diversity and mouthwatering cuisine styles.
But even today Sri Lank stand as a symbol of multi cultural society, where Buddhist, Tamil Hindus and other local peoples living more prosperous way. To understand more about this concept in Sri Lanka diversity, you need to visit “Jaffna”.
Jaffna is a place where we can spot Tamil cultures, especially peoples temples, historical colonial sites and vibrant South Indian cuisine options. Let’s go into further detail about Jaffna in order to discuss its 7 unique things. However, Sri Lanka has some historically rich destinations, home to Sigiriya Rocks, Anuradhapura Temple and Dambulla Cave Temple.
Is Jaffna Safe to Visit?
Jaffna is a 100% safe place to visit. After internal conflicts and civil war, most of Sri Lankan places have recovered from inflation. Today visitors could roam freely in Jaffna without expecting any crime, theft, pickpocketing or scams, even its surroundings.
However, people are so friendly here and they will welcome visitors so kindly and help them to find nearby attractions and hotels too. In fact, the people of Jaffna are friendlier than the rest of the Lankan cities.
7 Unique Things to Do in Jaffna
Why Jaffna is popular will be understood more about what are the things we can do there in a more unique way. Let’s see one by one;
1. Try Mouthwatering Cuisines at Malayan Cafe
Your Jaffna trip needs to kick start from the popular Malayan Cafe. We always insist on starting your upcoming discovery of Jaffna destinations after drinking/ Lunch at Malyan Cafe. Malayan Cafe is a popular vegan/vegetarian cafe in Jaffna, where travelers/locals can try lunch. But the interesting part here is lunch is served on a banana leaf, first he places the banana leaf on your table and starts to serve rice first, later he adds some curries (you can choose which you want). If you’re looking for the best and delicious food at an affordable price (350 LKR) within the main city centre of Jaffna, then Malayan Cafe is for you.
2. Try Rio’s Ice Cream Flavour
Another popular unique thing to do in Jaffna, if you are visiting Nallur Kandiswamy Temple, then you need to take just a few steps to taste popular Rio Ice Cream. This ice cream is known for its rich, creamy flavours and ingredient based frozen treat (includes fruits, salad, nuts like cashes and jelly). Ice cream has deep traditional roots, established in 1970, serving as an iconic cultural hotspot and good reputation for its fanciful and vibrant sundaes and variety of ice creams.
3. Take a Leisurely Stroll Amidst of Local Market of Tirunelveli
Spending your time taking walks in the paths of Tirunelveli markets could be the most memorable things to do in Jaffna. This market is often recognised as the local farmers market of Tirunelveli located in the northern part of the city. Open daily from 5 AM to early afternoon, where local people come and sell their agri or agri related goods. Usually visitors can see fresh local products, Palmyrah products, species, agri items like locally grown vegetables, jackfruit graphs and famous Karthacolomban mangoes and sweets like peanut biscuits and a small range of wine collections.
4. Visit Nainativu Island
A hotspot of both Buddhist and Hindu religion, Nainative Island is the centre of pilgrim’s site where Nagapooshani Amman Temple and historic Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya exist. Located off the coast of Jaffna archipelago, it requires just a 15 minute ferry ride from Kurikadduwan Jetty to reach this island. The island also called as “Manipallavam”, has deep cultural roots, where even today Nag folklore are celebrated, for its ancient maritime roots.
5. Soak at Keerimalai Springs
Looking to refresh yourself in a more natural rich spring, then Keerimalai Springs you need to add your things to do in Jaffna bucket list. Such a unique attraction, where we can swim under its mineral rich freshwater pool nestled just away from the bay of the salty ocean. Bathing in Keerimalai springs not just healing and curative properties, moreover it is a believed as the most devoted site for Hindus. This spiritual bath can cure rheumatic diseases and provide more refreshing experiences.
6. Relax in Casuarina Beach
Casuarina Beach is known for its pristine shore, calm waters, stunning picturesque sunset views and more importantly less crowded beach in Jaffna. Located 23 km from northwest of Jaffna city, perfect beach for peaceful retreats where couples can spend more time walking its shores and even do activities like snorkelling and boating. Purchase paddle boats, kayaks and snorkelling gears available near its shops. If you’re a photographer or looking for any perfect Jaffnas honeymoon destination, then Casuarina Beach is always waiting for you.
7. Explore Old Ruins of Mantri Manai
This 17th century remnant is located in the northeast part of the City where Nallur Temple exists. Firmly this Old Ruins of Mantri Manai is a remains of Jaffna’s ancient royal palace of Jaffna Kingdom, primarily served as a residence of King Cankili II. Out of many attractions, the best part in the Mantri Mani is King Saniilyan’s Minister’s House. But unfortunately its ruins have been destroyed for multiple reasons, today we can see remains of the Mantri Manai, which were restored for tourism purposes.
Best Time to Visit Jaffna?
If you are confused about when I should pack my backpack or which season will make my Jaffna trip more memorable, then this answer is for you. Since Jaffna is kind of a place in Sri Lanka witnessing less rainfall and more hottest and driest weather. So, plan your trip between February to September. Why we insist during the dry season is because of less rainfall and it help you to make explore its surroundings more freely.
Whilst visitors could attend popular Hindu Nallur festivals at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Jaffna Peninsula Tour and Pillaiyar Kovil. If you’d like to explore Jaffna during the rainy season then visit between May to August, when we can see heavy rainfall and scenic mountains.
How to Get to Jaffna
Reaching Jaffna is not a very difficult task, all you need is patience to travel a long journey. Located about 400km north of Colombo, need to choose either bus or train to reach Jaffna.
1. From Colombo
Reaching Jaffna from Colmbo is straightforward and the most sought after route option by visitors. Even though plenty of buses and trains operate from Capital city, the train journey makes your trip more convenient. Because the train departs every 5 times in a day and reaches within just 8 hours of time.
Buses which help visitors who like to travel to Jaffna overnight and try to spend more day time. Currently 1 A/C buses which operate overnight with premier facilities like comfortable seating and private spaces. It takes 7 hours to reach Jaffna.
Apart from these 2 options, even some local buses operating daily, depart every day and pass through Anuradhapura. If you’re not visited Anuradhapura yet, choose the local bus option. You’ll get an opportunity to see 2 sites within your 9 hours of journey.
2. From Trincomalee
If you are coming from Trincomalee choose buses (ideal and only one option) to reach Jaffna. Compared to Colombo, travel from Trincomalee requires less cost and time (need just 5 hours to reach with a cost of $3 per person). Buses depart every 1 hour from here, and just go through current bus schedules and timings to Trincomalee.
