Voyage to the capital of North

Part 2

 Jaffna a great destination to enjoy the holiday

We left Kekirawa around 2.30pm.We drove 45 minutes from Kekirawa along Marudangadawala to Kandy-Jaffna highway. It was 3.45 pm we started to drive from Kandy-Jaffna highway (A9).It was a beauteous evening calm and free.Paddy fields along the road were gave lush greenery to the eyes and peacock were dancing in the paddy fields.Lot of marvelous scenes which an artist can imagine.I thought I would have a bicycle riding in that pleasant evening.

When the pleasant evening turning in to dusk Northern province warmly welcomed us from vavuniya.while passing Vavuniya,Puliyankulam,Mankulam and Murikandy we saw several war monuments of the troops and army camps. The road is well carpeted and super flat. It was Kilinochi we stopped for a while to have a tea.When we were passing Elephant Pass it was 8.30pm then.Elephant-Pass the gateway of Jaffna Peninsula.Knowing that entered to the Jaffna peninsula for the first time gave us a great pleasure.A newly constructed monument clearly seen in the night because of the beautiful lights.Elephant-Pass connects the Peninsula  to the Srilankan main land and a vital part of the road to Jaffna.

We stopped at Savakachcheri (a town very close to Jaffna).We had our dinner in a small hotel.We booked a hotel in Savakachcheri as we planned to spend two nights in Jaffna.The hotel is in Jaffna-Kandy highway. The facilities provided from the hotel were really good.So that had a restful night in Jaffna.

The next day it was a first good morning in Jaffna and blessed with a fresh cow milk to start the pleasant morning. We started our journey around 7.30am in the morning from Savakachcheri to Jaffna.It was 13km distance from Savakachcheri-Jaffna.After the 20 minutes drive we reached the beautiful Jaffna town.It was a beautiful morning.

First we paid a visit to Jaffna Fort.The second largest existing fort in the island built by Portuguese in 1619 and expanded by the Dutch during the second half of the 17th and 18th centuries. It spreads over an area of 22 hectare within city limits.Bullet ridden walls of the fort were remains  me the horrible war.It's probably one of the few sign of the war still an evident within the city.

We had our breakfast in sri-kirishnabavan vegetarian hotel near the fort.We ate dosai and Vadai with a delicious sambol.The taste of the food was indescribable. After a delicious breakfast made a visit to Jaffna town.The town itself will take a few pages to describe. Let me try to describe a bit about  what the town is like.

Jaffna streets were very busy with street vendors,the colourful shops,kovils and the beautiful people.Bicycle is the most common made of transport. There is bicycle everywhere I looked.Most of the hotels are vegetarian hotels,you can have delicious food.Most important thing is hotels are very clean.On the other hand ruined homes,buildings ,coconut and palm trees pocked marked by bullets and shrapnel brings the memories of war.Anyhow Jaffna town is a gorgeous town full of friendly people whenever help needed they are always there for you.

Around 10.30 we planned to visit Nainathivu/Nagadeepaya an island in northern province where you can find the historical Hindu temple Nagapoosani Amman kovil and the most popular Buddhist temple Nagavihara too.Nainathivu is a tinny Island 30 km from Jaffna town.The road from Jaffna to Nainathivu across a long causeway that leads to Kurikkaduwan.We passed several beautiful islands to reach Nainathivu. The landscape is flat and sandy dotted with many numerous palm trees and the landscape is completely different from everywhere else in Srilanka.

On the way to Nainathivu.

Along the road we saw shallow sea with fences arranged as fish traps.Srilanka is an island abundantly gifted with different colours and tides of beaches. From Jaffna to Nainathivu the blue water of the clear beautiful Indian ocean gave an extraordinary beauty to the nature. While travelling I thought that this might be a piece of island from heaven.believe me it's true I was  greatly enjoyed the travelling.It was 11.30 when we reached Kurikkaduwan where we can take passenger boat to Nainathivu.

Long causeway that leads to Kurikkaduwan.

There are many shops selling beautiful hats and sunscreens. Without wearing hat and a sunscreen  you can not beat the heat in Jaffna. It took 20 minutes to reach the beautiful island by passenger boat.Available every 15 minutes during day time from Kurikkaduwan.

Inside the ferry

 First the boat approached the main jetty,then we saw the Nagadeepa viharaya.The temple is one of the most sacred place for Buddhist. The history of the ancient temple is around 3rd century.

Nainathivu Island 

We paid 500Rs and made a full round of the village through three wheeler.Also there is a government bus to travel in the island.We prayed luhar in the masjid of the island and went to see the Nagapoosani Amman kovil.It has more than 100 years of hisory.The tower of the kovil can be seen from several kilometers. Temple architectural works with colourful sculptures are attractive to watch.

Sri Nagapoosani Amman kovil.

Beautiful sculpture inside of kovil

You can buy beautiful corals from the street vendors near the temple.If you are visiting Nainathivu my advice is wear loose,light- weight, light coloured dress.

A street vendor selling hand mades.

street vendors near the kovil

It was a joyful journey and a gladdest day for us.we left Nainathivu island around 2.30pm.

Can buy beautiful corals near the temple.

After having lunch visited Jaffna library. This is the place that very actively used by Jaffna people and a notable building in Jaffna.This library has reference section,lending section and children section.The library was established in 1933 ,but it burnt in 1981.During the early 1980's containing over 97000 books and manuscripts.In 2001 rehabilitation of the library was completed. If you travel to Jaffna it worth if you made a  visit the library.

Jaffna library.

My cousin sister convinced me that our trip would be incomplete without visiting Casuarina beach in Karainagar.We travelled about 20km off from Jaffna town it took 45 minutes to reach the beach.It is the best beach in Jaffna peninsula.

Casuarina the best beach in Jaffna

Obviously the beach is clean and well maintained by the authorities. Definitely the beach gets this name as the Casuarina trees along this beach.we had a wonderful sea bath.The golden sand and the calm blue water made it a pleasing experience.

Beautiful evening turning in to dusk .

We enjoyed the beautiful evening in Casuarina beach.The light was dimming,the golden clouds that filtered the Sun's last rays.It was all very picturesque.The Casuarina beach is an ideal place to enjoy the trip.

Beautiful Casuarina beach through my camera

It was 6.30pm in the evening we left from Casuarina beach.Around 7.15 we reached Jaffna town.

Our journey of the day completed with the taste of Rio Ice cream.Yes,the last place of the day was Rio ice cream parlour a perfect place to beat the heat in Jaffna. The place is located right next to the famous Nalloor kovil.The premises is rather nice.So much varieties to choose from the menu.Our choice was Rio special.The ice cream decorated with smarties,jelly,fresh fruits and chocolate. The ice cream is sweeter than any other ice cream sold in Srilanka.

After an enjoyable journey returned to hotel around 10pm.We had a great sleep.Jaffna is a great destination to enjoy and entertain the holiday.