Story 01 · Heritage

Jaffna Fort யாழ்ப்பாணக் கோட்டை

Begin beside Jaffna Lagoon, where the fort's ramparts reveal the city's long maritime and colonial history.

Photo: Rehman Abubakr / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 02 · Sacred

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil நல்லூர் கந்தசுவாமி கோவில்

Move east to Jaffna's sacred heart, recognised by its golden tower, daily rituals and annual festival.

Photo: David Stanley / CC BY 2.0

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Story 03 · Sacred coast

Keerimalai Naguleswaram கீரிமலை நகுலேஸ்வரம்

At the northern coast, the ancient temple and nearby freshwater spring bring sacred tradition, limestone geology and the sea together.

Photo: Ronie Ranjan / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 04 · Coast

Casuarina Beach கசூரினா கடற்கரை

Shallow water and a broad sandy shoreline make Casuarina one of the peninsula's most popular coastal stops.

Photo: Indi Samarajiva / CC BY 2.0

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Story 05 · Northern edge

Point Pedro Lighthouse பருத்தித்துறை கலங்கரை விளக்கம்

The historic lighthouse marks the coastal approach to Point Pedro near Sri Lanka's northern edge.

Photo: Rattwrite / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 06 · Island pilgrimage

Nagapooshani Amman Temple நயினாதீவு நாகபூசணி அம்மன் கோவில்

A passenger-boat journey leads to this colourful and revered temple on Nainativu Island.

Photo: Dr. S. Rajivraja / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 07 · Outer island

Delft Island நெடுந்தீவு

Finish on the outer island, where coral walls, fort ruins, dry grasslands and free-roaming horses shape a distinct landscape.

Photo: AntanO / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 08 · Heritage

Jaffna Public Library யாழ்ப்பாணப் பொது நூலகம்

The restored library is a defining cultural landmark, remembered for its historic collections and its enduring place in Jaffna's civic life.

Photo: Anton Croos / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Story 09 · Heritage

Mantri Manai மந்திரிமனை

This distinctive residence is associated with the former Jaffna Kingdom and preserves a rare blend of local and European architectural details.

Photo: Yercaud-elango / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 10 · Heritage

Jaffna Clock Tower யாழ்ப்பாண மணிக்கூட்டுக் கோபுரம்

Built as a civic memorial, the slender clock tower remains one of the most recognisable landmarks near the fort and public library.

Photo: Eeriyaka / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 11 · Heritage

Dambakola Patuna தம்பகோல பட்டினம்

This northern landing place is remembered as an ancient port connected with the arrival of the sacred Bodhi sapling tradition.

Photo: Annelicious i / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 12 · Heritage

Yamuna Eri யமுனா ஏரி

The unusual U-shaped pond is one of the surviving archaeological features associated with the royal landscape of old Nallur.

Photo: AntanO / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 13 · Sacred

Nagadeepa Purana Vihara நயினாதீவு நாக விகாரை

Reached by passenger boat, this Buddhist pilgrimage site is one of the best-known sacred destinations on Nainativu Island.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

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Story 14 · Sacred

Vallipuram Aalvar Kovil வல்லிபுர ஆழ்வார் கோவில்

Near Point Pedro, this Vishnu temple stands within an area known for long religious traditions and important archaeological discoveries.

Photo: Mayooresan / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Story 15 · Sacred

St. James' Church, Nallur நல்லூர் புனித யாக்கோபு தேவாலயம்

The historic Anglican church adds another layer to Nallur's sacred landscape and is recognised as a protected archaeological monument.

Photo: AntanO / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 16 · Coast

Kankesanthurai Beach காங்கேசன்துறை கடற்கரை

KKS Beach opens onto the Palk Strait with clear water, a broad horizon and a quieter atmosphere along the peninsula's northern shore.

Photo: Hiran66 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 17 · Coast

Keerimalai Beach கீரிமலை கடற்கரை

Beside the sacred spring and temple, Keerimalai's rocky shoreline gives a dramatic view across the northern sea.

Photo: Yercaud-elango / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 18 · Coast

Point Pedro Beach பருத்தித்துறை கடற்கரை

At the peninsula's north-eastern edge, this shoreline offers open-sea views close to Point Pedro town and its lighthouse.

Photo: NavaaneethaSarma MurugananthaSarma / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 19 · Coast

Manalkadu Coastal Dunes மணற்காடு கடற்கரை மணற்குன்றுகள்

Wind-shaped dunes and a wide, exposed coast create one of the peninsula's most distinctive natural landscapes east of Point Pedro.

Photo: Anton Croos / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Story 20 · Islands

Delft Island Fort நெடுந்தீவுக் கோட்டை

Built from coral and limestone, the island fort's weathered walls preserve a vivid trace of Delft's maritime past.

Photo: AntanO / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 21 · Islands

Delft Baobab Tree டெல்ஃப்ட் பாவோபாப் மரம்

The immense African baobab, traditionally linked to historic seafarers, is one of the island's most unexpected living landmarks.

Photo: David Stanley / CC BY 2.0

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Story 22 · Islands

Kayts Island Fort ஊர்காவற்றுறை தீவுக் கோட்டை

The low coastal ruins recall Kayts' former role as a defended island port on the approaches to Jaffna.

Photo: AntanO / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 23 · Islands

Karainagar Island காரைநகர் தீவு

Causeway-linked Karainagar combines fishing settlements, palmyra landscapes and easy access to the shallow waters of Casuarina Beach.

Photo: அரிஞ்சயன் / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Story 24 · Islands

Nainativu Island நயினாதீவு

A short ferry crossing reaches this compact sacred island, where temples, village life and the surrounding sea shape every visit.

Photo: Wikinamaste / CC BY-SA 3.0

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