Land of Palmyra

We wanted to do a complete Jaffna tour within three days. Before plan this trip I read Sri’s Jaffna and Delft report (The Land of Horses-Delft & re-awakening Jaffna) which was the most recent updates of Jaffna in Lakdasun especially about Delft Island. Then I went through Kristy’s reports of Jaffna (Jaffna-Micro Attractions and which gives a good idea about rare places there. Zoysa’s Jaffna report (On the A9 Road to Jaffna 2010) also helped me to know about Vallipuram and VVT. I knew about Fort Hammenheil from Chandanie’s report (Fort Hammenheil-a prison in the middle of the ocean)
We (I and Wuminda) got into Thinakaran bus from in front of Lake House carrying so many plans with our bags. Journey to Jaffna by this but is bit slow as it stops at about 20-30places from Vavniya to Jaffna to throw their news papers. We reached the Jaffna private bus stand around 7.30am and Ashan has come there before us. After having breakfast we walked towards Udayan rest with help of our Google map. We were warmly welcome by Mr. Ravi the owner of the rest. By 9am we were able to start our journey by the three wheel.

Day 1
Our three wheel driver (Nathan) had a poor knowledge outside the city. Therefore he haphazardly brought us to these places. Then we started to direct him as we were knowledgeable than him.

Naguleshwarn Kandasamy Kovil and Keeramale Herbal Pond

Entrance of Naguleshwaran Kovil –one of four Shiva kovilas located at four corners of the country

Importance of the Kovil – Click Image to Enlarge

Framed picture

Only Shiva Kovil is having male lingam on female lingam-Photo by Ashan

The way towards Keeramale herbal pond

Then we stepped towards Keeramale Herbal pond which was nearby.

Keeramale Herbal pond

Keeramale beach

Dambakolapatuna is situated few kilometers away from the Keeramale. Our next stop was that.

 Dambakolapatuna

Although they haven’t found any ruins here, according to the literature this place has been identified as Dambakolapatuna.

.	We should not forget

Location of Dambakolapatuna

Dambakolapatuna beach

Statue of Sangamiththa therani

Replica of the ship

Once we finished visiting there I got a call for getting permission to visit at Kanakasanthurai cement factory (KKS). I planned to get the permission to visit there and it was on the way.

Kankasanthurai cement factory (KKS)

No further cement production done here and it is having historical value only. Sri Lanka Army uses this place to put their ammunition now. We had a warm welcome there and we were given an army soldier to show the factory.

Old administrative building

The cement factory

Familiar symbol in those days

Still strong

Hanging down

Remains of Old Yaldewi train in the factory

Few train compartments belong to last Yaldewi train (before the war) can be seen about 1km away from the KKS factory. We went there also and photography was not allowed there.

After thanking them we moved to Kadurugoda/Kandarodai temple.

Kadurugoda temple

Historical background – Click Image to Enlarge

Remaining of stupa

Here I would like to include some photographs taken at Archaeology museum of Jaffna.

Found at Kadurugoda

Remains of Buddha statues

Found at Kadurugoda

Then time was around 2pm and our plan was to visit at Fort Hammenhiel at Karainagar for lunch.

Fort Hammenhiel-Karainagar

Actually Karainagar is a separate island from Jaffna. Old navy prison called Fort Hammenhiel has been converted to a hotel which has three rooms (full board for Rs 18000 per day) situated in the small island form main island. The restaurant is at Karainagara beach. This is ruled out by Sri Lanka Navy. We had our lunch there and meanwhile visited at Fort Hammenhiel hotel by boat.

The price of the lunch was reasonable.

Crossing the causeway to Karainagar

Fort Hammenhiel restaurant

Fort Hammenhiel

Story of Hammenhiel – Click Image to Enlarge

Entrance

The picture tells the story how Dutch caught the fort from Portuguese by destroying the rain water tank

Entering to a cell

Written by prisoners

Luxurious prison compared to present ones

JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera also were here

Courtyard

These were used as stores

Pigeon couple

Telescope

View of Jetty

World is on the table

After enjoying meals and view of fort Hammenheil we needed to have a sea bath at one of a famous and beautiful beaches called Kasurina. It is situated about 5km away from the fort Hammenheil and we hired a three-wheeler to reach there.

Kasurina beach

Evening at Kasurina beach was a wonderful experience.

Kasurina beach

Kasurina beach

Tasting Palmyra

Sun set

Evening discussion

Floating-Photography by Ashan

Another sun set

Different colours

Long hair friend

Sun set behind the Palmyra trees

Fortunately we got the last bus from Karainagar to Jaffna and came to last visit of the day- Naga Vihara temple

Naga Vihara Temple

This is one of main Buddhist attractions situated in the middle of the Jaffna town.

Historical background of Naga vihara Temple – Click Image to Enlarge

Stupa

Following worshipping Nagavihara temple we had our Dinner and walked to Udayan Rest.

Day 2

We woke up early morning and our plan was to visit at Delft and Nagadeepa. Soon after our breakfast we got into a bus to Karaikattuvan which started from Jaffna around 6.40am.

We reached Karaikattuwan Jetty around 8am and joined with the queue to Delft. “Wada Tharaka”-Northern star came to Jetty around 9.15am.

Some faces of the queue

Loading passengers

View of Nainathiw

Happy passengers-lower floor of the boat is hot. Therefore passengers are reluctant to go there and crowded in the cabin and upper floor.

After boat started we also joined with the crowd in cabin. It was a fantastic experience and some people had to come to cabin due to vomiting.

Disappearing of Karaikattuvan

At cabin

Near to Delft Island they transferred passengers and cargo to a small boat as Delft Jetty is not enough to accommodate Wada Tharakai.

Our guide as well as driver of Delft Bimalan waited there to welcome us.

Vada Tharakai

Delft harbour-Note the Ambulance boat

Bimalan started the Journey along the Delft Island.

Statue of Rev.Father

Pigeon house-Used to send messages by pigeon

Court house

Symbol of the court house

The way through the Delft Hospital towards Dutch fort

Dutch fort

We were loitering at Dutch fort and Ashan was attacked by wasps when he was trying to squeeze through a broken door. Fortunately we were in the hospital premises and got treatment for that.

Appearance of rash following wasp attack

Drinking water wells

Drinking water wells

Beauty of Delft

Harmony-These water tanks are specially made for their purpose

Giant foot print

He thinks it’s his foot print

Typical for Delft –made by lime stones and corals

Foundation of Pagodas

Happy at least this part is protected

Foundation of the pagoda few years ago.. Taken from Jaffna fort information center. Compare the difference

Swimming beach of Delft

Giant Baobab tree

Growing stone

Posed –Changeable Hawk Eagle

Couldn’t taste it

Randomly captured

Karaikattuwan Jetty in return journey

Soon after we arrived at Karaikattuwan Jetty we got into a boat to Nainathiw. Time was around 4.30pm.

Entrance of Nagadeepa Temple

Historical background – Click Image to Enlarge

One picture for whole story

Pagoda

Image house

The Bo tree

On our way back we noticed a board towards another temple called “Buddha Walawwa Viharaya.”

Direction

This is the only ancient thing we notice

Naga Pusani Amman Kovil

Nainathiw stone inscription can be seen in the Nagapusani Kovil-Picture by Ashan

Leaving from Nainathiw

Another evening to Kraikattuwan Jetty

Fortunately caught the last bus to Jaffna at 5.45pm by last boat from Nainathiw. But there is another task in our to-do list. Therefore we got down the town just before Araly point to get a three wheel to reach Araly point where Lt. Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa was killed by the LTTE.

The road towards this monument is badly damaged.

Tested vehicle

List of Heroes

As there was no option we hired the same three wheels to Jaffna town for reasonable price. Following our Dinner at Myauran café we walked to Udhayan rest.

Day 3

This was our last day of the trip and our main attraction was Point of Pedro. Before go there we had to visit at some places around Jaffna town. Ravi arranged same three wheel in the early morning. He brought us around the Jaffna.

Jaffna City Tour

Sangili arch believed as the entrance to King Sangili palace

Rajamanthri Walawwa-Recidence of King Sangili’s chief minister

Entrance of Walawwa

The roof

King Sangili Statue

Behind the Sangili statue there was another old building. Later we knew it Kiddu Park-“Kiddu Poonga”. No idea about importance of it.

Kiddu Park

Kiddu park

Yamunari Pond

Jaffna railway station

Jaffna railway station-no rail tracks at all

Order

Up stair of Jaffna railway station

Jaffna Clock tower- Built to commemorate the journey of Prince of Wales at 1875

This was built by governor James Longdon (1877-1884). The architecture was J. Samdir.

Jaffna Public Library.-Unable to go in as we were so early.

Story of Jaffna Dutch fort – Click Image to Enlarge

Plan of the fort

One entrance of the fort

Jaffna fort under renovation of Dutch aids

Jaffna fort

Jaffna fort

Jaffna fort

From Jaffna fort

Following visit at Jaffna fort we were dropped to Jaffna bus stand. After having breakfast we got a bus to Point of Pedro. First we wanted to visit at Nilavarari bottomless well.

Nilavarari bottomless well

Have to get down at Puttur on the way to Point of Pedro and take the left hand side road about 2.5km to reach this well situated next to a Kovil.

Nilavarai bottomless well

This is not underwater photography

We reached Point of Pedro town by 11.30 am it was dam hot and dusty. Our schedule was so tight and need to go back to Jaffna town before 7.00pm. We discussed with a three wheel driver with little Tamil and more body language. He gave us a fair charge for our schedule.

First we went to see Point of Pedro light house. You can watch it outside but to get in, needs permission from Navy. However Ashan’s friend has prearranged it and we were able to go inside the light house. But we were reluctant to climb it up.

Point of Pedro light house

Rising up….

Risky

Inside

Educational matters – Click Image to Enlarge

Then he drove along the beach road (I think the most northern road of Sri Lanka) first towards the Point of Pedro Jetty and then most northern point of Sri Lanka-Point of Pedro.

Point of Pedro-Jetty

Most northern point of Sri Lanka

Fishing at point of Pedro

Now we are here – Click Image to Enlarge

Passing point of Pedro, we came to Valvettithurai. The LTTE leader Prabakaran and TELO leader Kuttumani have born here. We wanted to visit at Prabakaran’s house. But no evidence of a house there now.

Then we came to Selva Sanadhi Kovil and Thondaman Aru. Katharagama Pada Yathra begins at Selva Sanadhi Kovil. The river next to this Kovil called Thondaman Aru. It has a shallow water but salty.

Selva Sanadhi Kovil –Katharagama Dewalaya of North

Inside of the Kovil

Thondaman Aru

We requested Ireshan to bring us to Vallipuram and then Manalkadu beach. He turned the vehicle back and drove towards Vallipuram Kovil. Vallipuram/sand city has a high archaeological back ground. Currently no evidences can be seen here.

Vallipuram Hindu Kovil

Devotees

Manalkadu is famous for sand dunes. On your way towards Manalkadu beach you can notice a large number of sand dunes and it makes a beautiful picture. Just next to Manalkadu cemetery remaining of Manalkadu Dutch Church is visible.

Manalkadu Sand dunes

View of Telecommunication tower of Point of Pedro from Manalkadu beach

Remaining of Manalkadu Dutch church

We finished our journey around Point of Pedro and said good bye to Ireshan. He asked only Rs1300 for this round. (about 40-50km)

Fortunately got a quick bus towards Jaffna city from Point of Pedro and came to Archeology museum which is close to Udayan rest.

The caretaker of the museum was very kind and he described it very well and allowed us to take pictures although it is prohibited.(I think he tells everyone taking pictures are prohibited but allow it).

Remains of a Whale’s skeleton

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Umbrella rack

From Jaffna Archeology museum

From Jaffna Archeology museum

“Dolawa”

Tamil stone inscription

Then we walked towards famous Nallur Kovil. It is about 500m away from the archeology museum.

Nallur Kovil-No photography inside the Kovil

On our return journey we tasted ice cream from Rio as well.

Famous Rio Ice cream shop-Photo by Ashan

It ended our three days visit to Jaffna and got the bus towards Colombo.

Thanks for reading