Northern Adventure: The ultimate trip to Jaffna
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Tired of venturing to the same spot over the long-weekends? Bored of the standard cookie-cutter holiday? Then the Jaffna Peninsula is just the destination for Sri Lankan travellers. It’s not traditional over-commercialised or over-publicised vacation spot, however that’s part of Jaffna’s unique allure- it remains an area of unspoilt beauty, that’s fairly new to the travel and tourism circuit and buzzing with authenticity. Travellers can take one of several trains to Jaffna, the fastest of which will get you all the way up there in just 6.5 hours. It’s a one-stop ride that covers 398 km from Colombo and can even travel first class for a very reasonably priced ticket.
Once you do get to Jaffna, there’s a never-ending list of potential sites and spots to explore, so do plan your trip out and allocate a few days for your northern adventure. Remember that it can get extremely hot during the day, so keep ample time throughout your trip to catch up on some RnR, sip a cocktail and lounge by the Jetwing Jaffna Hotel swimming pool. Recovering from three decades of war, Jaffna is steadily transforming into a magnet for tourists, serving up infusions of different cultures in everything from architecture, to food to places of reverence. Here’s a list of a few cool activities that a visitor can slot in to a holiday in Jaffna, there’s literally something for everyone.
Beach Please- Casuarina beach has the appearance of a still and calm pool and is a perfect resting point during an afternoon tour of Jaffna town. It will take less than an hour to get there on the Karainagar bus, and a quick dip is the ultimate mid-day cool off. The beach gets its name from its signature shrubbery of Casuarina trees and its untouched shoreline is the perfect backdrop for some striking snaps.
Chundikulam – Jaffna’s best kept birding secret: Whether you’re a birding enthusiast, all-round nature lover, or photography pro, Chundikulam is one of the few places where you can see many of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species in a completely carefree and undisturbed state. An arid, wild strip of land filled with marshes, dunes and mangroves, that sits between the ocean and lagoon, Chundikulam is a haven for birds that is still relatively unknown though it has been a sanctuary since 1938.
Market marvels – get tasting-Jaffna market, a building with a distinct yellow hue is known for offering a delicious mix of fresh fruits, veggies, spices and sweet delicacies all under one roof.
An ancient feat of architecture- One of the last remnants of ancient Buddhism in the north, the Kadurugoda Temple and Ruins are a protected archaeological site that is under the purview of the Sri Lankan Army.
Tuck into a crab feast at North Gate by Jetwing or enjoy Cocktails at Jetwing Jaffna’s rooftop bar- A trip to Jaffna would not be complete without tucking into a delicious crab curry – fiery flavours and all. The restaurant at North Gate by Jetwing draws on the heritage and influences of the north to create authentic Jaffna specialities, of which crab curry and a scrumptious seafood both known as odialkool are hot favourites. North Gate is conveniently located right beside the Jaffna Railway Station and is the ideal base from which you can explore the city and enjoy a host of tailormade excursions, tours and activities.
Visit the home of 100,000 books- The Jaffna library was established in 1933 and was once one of the largest libraries in all of Asia.
Hindu traditions: The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is a breathtaking site to visit at any time of the year, but during the Nallur Festival – a colourful 25 day procession that starts in July, it offers an entirely different almost other-worldly, experience.
The wild side- The island of Delft is home to nearly 2000 wild ponies that roam its coastlines. Descendants of the ponies that were bred by the Dutch in Sri Lanka during colonial times and thereafter abandoned, these ponies have grown in their numbers and roam freely across the island
The ultimate archaeological monument in Jaffna- Constructed during the 17th century, the Jaffna Fort was originally built by the Portuguese and later captured by the Dutch and British respectively.
A boat ride to Nagadeepa: Tucked away in the secluded island of Nainativu, are the famous historical sites, ‘Nagapooshani Amman Kovil’ and ‘Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya’ which hold paramount importance to Hindus and Buddhists respectively. For Buddhists, Nainativu is one of the ‘Solosmasthana’ – the 16 most sacred pilgrime sites in Sri Lanka, whereas for Hindus the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil pays homage to Goddess Meenakshi – the giver of fertility.