Jaffna district is located in the far north of Sri Lanka in the Northern Province and occupies most of the Jaffna peninsula. It has an area of 1,025 square kilometers (395.8 sq mi). It is divided into four areas geographically. Jaffna is situated at a distance of 398 km to the north of Colombo. The austere beauty of Jaffna unlike any other town or city in Sri Lanka sets it apart from other tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Plan you Jaffna Travel now and enjoy a dream vacation in this picturesque Sri Lankan city that boasts of pristine white beaches, enchanting coastline, beautiful off shore islets and rugged peninsula.



The climate of Jaffna is dry and tropical as it lies within ten degrees of the equator. Humidity in the air and land-sea breezes makes the temperature conditions more equable on the sea board. The weather conditions in Jaffna are marked by extremes temperatures as it falls in the Dry Zone. The highest temperatures are recorded during the months of April - May and August - September, when the sun is directly overhead. December - January are the coolest period
Sea products, red onion, and tobacco are the main products in Jaffna. Prior to the civil war it was a place of many small scale industries manufacturing household items as well as packaging and food processing for export. Most industrialists have left or closed shops. The present Jaffna economy is facing setbacks because of the unstable connectivity with the south. The prices of goods in Jaffna are relatively high compared to the south. Currently the primary economic activity is trade.



Popular Tourist Attractions in Jaffna

On your trip to Jaffna, do not forget to visit the under mentioned places of interest.
• Nallur Kandaswarmy Kovil
• Selva Sannithi Temple
• Nagapoosani Temple (Nainatheevu)
• Delft Harbor
• Nagaviharaya /Nagadeepaya
• Thuraiyappah Stadium
• Jaffna Library
• O.L.R. Church
• St. Mary's Church
• Casurina Beach
• Kayts Town
• Paruthitivu
• Natural Harbor
• Sankiliyan Curve
• Sankiliyan Manthirimanai
• Kilali - Allipalai Beach
• Durkaiamman Temple
• Naguleswaram Temple
• Maviddampuram Temple

• Nallur Kandaswarmy Kovil


Nallur Kandaswarmy Kovil is a largely Hindu area and many temples are characterized by vertical red and white stripes on the outer walls. The beautiful large and airy complex has shrines to several deities. Men should note that shirts and shoes should be removed before entering. Nallur Kandasamy Kovil characterised by a golden arch and elaborate gopuram attracts hundreds of pilgrims and worshippers. Shops in the vicinity cater to the needs of the devotees by selling coconuts, plantains and camphor. The present building of the kovil goes back to the eighteenth century.

Nagapoosani Temple (Nainatheevu)


Original temple, supposedly built by a rich foreign trader who received blessing from Goddess Ambal Devi when passing by in the sea, was demolished in the sixteen century by Portuguese. However Ambal statue was hidden by locals and temple was rebuilt in 18 century. The actual gopuram was added in 1933.Many parents bring their new-born babies to this temple seeking the blessing of Godess Meenkashi (wife of Shiva) to whom this temple is now dedicated.


• Nagaviharaya /Nagadeepaya


According to the chronicles, in the 5th year after enlightenment, Lord Buddha visited Nagadipa to settle a dispute between two Nàga Kings - Chulodara and Mahodara regarding a gem throne.

• Murikandy Pillayar Shrine

It's not literally "off the beaten path". It's even almost directly "on" the beaten path, but quite far away from Jaffna. More precisely it's on the road from Vavuniya to Jaffna. Almost every bus, every car stops here and the Tamils are making offerings in this small shrine, because the belief had grown that unless you stopped and worshipped here, you would not proceed much further without a mishap befalling you! And on the way back from Jaffna they express their gratitude for returning safely. Many are the coconuts dashed in front of Pillayar. There is a lot of legends about the origin of this shrine. One of them is telling that a growth resembling the face of Lord Ganesha had grown on a Palu tree near the road and that's why a small temple - cadjan covered had been built. According to another one, the shrine was build by the roadbuilders after they found a water spring there. Anyway it's a very interesting place. Pay attention on the lorry drivers - after visiting the shrine they put the blessed powders on their trucks.

• Jaffna Library

Hi,

I am just wondering about the religion of Sri Lankan people because these pictures are very much like Indian Mandirs and Hinduism. But as far as I knew about the religion of most of the sri lankan people, it is not Hinduism. Please guide.

Hi josephhidalgo,

As Sri Lankan population is composed with multi-ethnic group, the Religion in Sri Lanka is inevitably diverse. Various communities in Sri Lanka recognize four of the world's major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. 70% of Sri Lankans are Theravada Buddhists, 15% are Hindus, 7.5% are Muslims and 7.5% Christians.The majority people of the country, the Sinhalese are adherent to Buddhism while other ethnic groups like Tamils, Moors, Burghers, and others practice Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, respectively.