Jaffna Heritage Hotel’s guidebook
Jaffna Tour Spots
Parts of present-day Northern Province were part of the pre-colonial Jaffna kingdom.Other parts were ruled by Vanniar Chieftains who paid tribute to the Jaffna kingdom. The province then came under Portuguese, Dutch and British control. In 1815 the British gained control of the entire island of Ceylon. They divided the island into three ethnic based administrative structures: Low Country Sinhalese, Kandyan Sinhalese and Tamil. The Northern Province was part of the Tamil administration. In 1833,
Northern Province is located in the north of Sri Lanka and is just 22 miles (35 km) from India. It is connected with Indian mainland by Adam's Bridge (also known as Sethu Paalam or Rama's Bridge). It has an area of 8,884 square kilometres (3,430 sq mi).[1]
The province is surrounded by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay to the west, Palk Strait to the north west, the Bay of Bengal to the north and east and the Eastern, North Central and North Western provinces to the south.
The province is divided into two distinct geographic areas: Jaffna peninsula and the Vanni. Jaffna peninsula is irrigated by underground aquifers fed by wells whereas the Vanni has irrigation tanks fed by perennial rivers. Major rivers include: Akkarayan Aru, Aruvi Aru, Kanakarayan Aru, Kodalikkallu Aru, Mandekal Aru, Nay Aru, Netheli Aru, Pali Aru, Pallavarayankaddu Aru, Parangi Aru, Per Aru, Piramenthal Aru, Theravil Aru.
The province has a number of lagoons, the largest being Jaffna Lagoon, Nanthi Kadal, Chundikkulam Lagoon, Vadamarachchi Lagoon, Uppu Aru Lagoon, Kokkilai lagoon, Nai Aru Lagoon and Chalai Lagoon.
Most of the islands around Sri Lanka are to be found to the west of the Northern Province. The largest islands are: Velanaitivu (Kayts), Neduntivu (Delft), Karaitivu, Pungudutivu and Mandativu.
Northern Province is covered in tropical forests, with numerous rivers flowing through them. The north-west coast is part of the deep Cauvery (Kaveri) River Basin of south-east India, which has been collecting sediments from the highlands of India and Sri Lanka since the breakup of Gondwanaland.
Climate and weather
Sri Lanka enjoys a typical tropical monsoonal climate. The Northern Province tends to be hot and dry in the dry season (February to September), and moderately cool and wet in the wet season (October to January). The province's climate is of the tropical kind and therefore during monsoons there is always the chance of a deluge. In the lowlands the climate is typically tropical with the average temperature is around 28° to 30° for the year. However, on the whole, January is the coolest month and May is the hottest month. Relative Humidity varies from 70% during the day to 90% at night. The Dry Zone of the Sri Lanka is the north and east of the island, this region is affected by the north east monsoon(December to March) and southwest monsoon (June to October). It is thought to be dry because most of the rains fall during the north-east monsoon.
Annual rainfall is less than 1250 mm in the north west and south east of the Inland. It has two rainy seasons South West Monsoon- May to August, North East Monsoon- November to February
அதிகாலை 4.00 மணிக்கு நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் திறக்கப்பட்டு அதிகாலை 5.00 மணி பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடைந்த பின் நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் மூடப்படும்.
காலை 7.30 மணிக்கு நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் திறக்கப்பட்டு பகல் 12.00 மணி பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடைந்த பின் நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் மூடப்படும்
மாலை 3.00 மணிக்கு நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் திறக்கப்பட்டு மாலை 06.00 மணி பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடைந்த பின் நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் மூடப்படும்
வெள்ளிகிழமைகளில் அதிகாலை 4.00 மணி முதல் மாலை 06.00 பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடையும் வரை நல்லூர் கதவுகள் திறந்திருக்கும்
The historic Kandaswamy Temple stans at Nallur 1 1/2km from Jaffna on the Point Pedro Road. The temple was built in the 15th century, by Sanpaha Perumal the adopted son of Bhuvanekababhu, the king of Kotte, who led an expedition to the North and brought Jaffna under the suzerainty of Kotte.
Having established himself as the ruler of the Jaffna Kingdom, Sanpaha Perumal set about the task of building the city and erecting the temple. Then he appointed Vijayabahu as the ruler and returned to Kotte. After some time, the deposed king Kanagasuriyan attacked and drove away the invader, He and his descendants managed the Nallur Temple up to the arrival of the Portuguese. Bhuvanekabahu’s name nae is still mentioned by the ssher on ceremonial occasins
6 yerel halk öneriyor
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Tapınağı
அதிகாலை 4.00 மணிக்கு நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் திறக்கப்பட்டு அதிகாலை 5.00 மணி பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடைந்த பின் நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் மூடப்படும்.
காலை 7.30 மணிக்கு நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் திறக்கப்பட்டு பகல் 12.00 மணி பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடைந்த பின் நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் மூடப்படும்
மாலை 3.00 மணிக்கு நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் திறக்கப்பட்டு மாலை 06.00 மணி பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடைந்த பின் நல்லூர்க் கதவுகள் மூடப்படும்
வெள்ளிகிழமைகளில் அதிகாலை 4.00 மணி முதல் மாலை 06.00 பூஐை வழிபாடு நிறைவடையும் வரை நல்லூர் கதவுகள் திறந்திருக்கும்
The historic Kandaswamy Temple stans at Nallur 1 1/2km from Jaffna on the Point Pedro Road. The temple was built in the 15th century, by Sanpaha Perumal the adopted son of Bhuvanekababhu, the king of Kotte, who led an expedition to the North and brought Jaffna under the suzerainty of Kotte.
Having established himself as the ruler of the Jaffna Kingdom, Sanpaha Perumal set about the task of building the city and erecting the temple. Then he appointed Vijayabahu as the ruler and returned to Kotte. After some time, the deposed king Kanagasuriyan attacked and drove away the invader, He and his descendants managed the Nallur Temple up to the arrival of the Portuguese. Bhuvanekabahu’s name nae is still mentioned by the ssher on ceremonial occasins
A Lasting legacy of the country’s colonial past, and today a maritime heritage, the famous Dutch Fort in Jaffna, was the innovation of the Portuguese who built it in 1618. It was re-built by Dutch colonisers who took over the Fort in 1680. The 400 year old edifice, designed in the shape of a pentagon, is a symbol of Dutch architecture. Its five bastions were named, after provinces of the Netherlands – Zeeland, Holland, Gelderland, Utrecht and Friesland.
The interior of the Fort has, with time, seen buildings such as the Dutch Lieutenant Governor’s residence, military barracks, powder magazines, warehouses, a Dutch Reformed Church, guardrooms, police quarters, a jail and court house become mere stone remnants. Yet, the limestone and black coral outer structure still remains solid. The large rampart overlooking
the ocean and the tunnel system are a testament to the skill and readiness to defeat any firepower from outside. The Dutch insignia is still visible at the entrance to the Fort. Inside, there is a great deal to explore amidst the destroyed structures, the belfry of probably the Dutch Reformed Church standing alone amidst the remnants of the past. The many fortifications, such as ravelins, the dry ditch and the moat are typical fortress defences.
The moat in the outer rampart is a series of five tunnels, which have been preserved. A walk along the rampart and in the grounds is a truly exhilarating experience and of course allows more time to explore and understand the design as well as purpose of the Fort. It is also quite romantic to watch the sunset from the rampart.
6 yerel halk öneriyor
Jaffna Hollanda Kalesi
A Lasting legacy of the country’s colonial past, and today a maritime heritage, the famous Dutch Fort in Jaffna, was the innovation of the Portuguese who built it in 1618. It was re-built by Dutch colonisers who took over the Fort in 1680. The 400 year old edifice, designed in the shape of a pentagon, is a symbol of Dutch architecture. Its five bastions were named, after provinces of the Netherlands – Zeeland, Holland, Gelderland, Utrecht and Friesland.
The interior of the Fort has, with time, seen buildings such as the Dutch Lieutenant Governor’s residence, military barracks, powder magazines, warehouses, a Dutch Reformed Church, guardrooms, police quarters, a jail and court house become mere stone remnants. Yet, the limestone and black coral outer structure still remains solid. The large rampart overlooking
the ocean and the tunnel system are a testament to the skill and readiness to defeat any firepower from outside. The Dutch insignia is still visible at the entrance to the Fort. Inside, there is a great deal to explore amidst the destroyed structures, the belfry of probably the Dutch Reformed Church standing alone amidst the remnants of the past. The many fortifications, such as ravelins, the dry ditch and the moat are typical fortress defences.
The moat in the outer rampart is a series of five tunnels, which have been preserved. A walk along the rampart and in the grounds is a truly exhilarating experience and of course allows more time to explore and understand the design as well as purpose of the Fort. It is also quite romantic to watch the sunset from the rampart.
Kadugoda Temple
Kadurugoda Viharaya (Sinhala: කදුරුගොඩ විහාරය ,Tamil: கந்தரோடை விகாரை) is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Chunnakam, Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. The temple is located in a small hamlet called Kandarodai and it is one of the few Buddhist temples remaining in Jaffna today. Currently this temple has been declared as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka
A potsherd carrying a Sinhalese Prakrit inscription written in Brahmi scripts was found out in 1970 by a team of archaeologists from the Pennsylvania University in USA.[11][note 1]. Black and red ware Kanterodai potsherd with Tamil Brahmi[12]scripts from 300 BCE excavated with Roman coins, early Pandyan coins, early Chera Dynasty coins from the emporium Karur punch-marked with images of the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi from 500 BCE, punch-marked coins called Puranas from 6th-5th century BCE India, and copper kohl sticks similar to those used by the Egyptians found in Uchhapannai, Kandarodai indicate active transoceanic maritime trade between ancient Jaffna Tamils and other continental kingdoms in the prehistoric period.[13][14]
The parallel third century BCE discoveries of Manthai, Anaikoddai and Vallipuram detail the arrival of a megalithic culture in Jaffna long before the Buddhist-Christian era and the emergence of rudimentary settlements that continued into early historic times marked by urbanization.[15] Some scholars have identified Kourola mentioned by 2nd century AD Greek geographer Ptolemy and Kamara mentioned by the 1st century AD Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as being Kadiramalai.[16]
The earliest people of Jaffna were belonging to a megalithic culture akin to the South Indian megalithic culture. The period of buddhism in the Jaffna Peninsula differ from the rest of the island, which is seen as an overlapping of the megalithic beliefs with buddhism.[17] The ancient Kadurugoda Vihara buddhist monastery is situated at this site where a 10th century pillar inscription of Sinhalese language recording a regal proclamation of the bequest of gifts and benefits to a Buddhist place of warship was found.[11][2][8] Kandarodai was a buddhist mercantile centre among Tamils.[18] Researchers have a favourable opinion that Kantharodai was the capital of the Jaffna kings of the Naga lineage.[5]
The domes were reconstructed atop the flat bases of the ruins by the Archaeology Department. The similarities between the finds of ancient Jaffna and Tamil Nadu are indicators of a continuous cultural exchange between the two regions from classical antiquity.[19] These structures built over burials demonstrate the integration of Buddhism with Megalithism, a hallmark of Tamil Buddhism. Outside Andhra Pradesh in India, Kanterodai is perhaps the only site where such burials are seen.
According to scholars was Kantarodai, known in Tamil literature as Kadiramalai, the capital of the ancient Tamil Kingdom ruled by Tamil speaking Naga kings from 7th century AD to 10th century AD.[1] The Yalpana Vaipava Malai also describes Kadiramalai as the seat of Ukkirasinghan who fell in love with a Chola princess in the ancient period.[20]
In 1970, the University of Pennsylvania museum team excavated a ceramic sequence remarkably similar to that of Arikamedu, with a Pre-rouletted ware period, subdivided into an earlier "Megalithic", a later "Pre-rouletted ware phase," followed by a "Rouletted ware period". Tentatively assigned to the fourth century BCE, radio carbon dating later confirmed an outer date of the ceramics and Megalithic cultural commencement in Kandarodai to 1300 BCE.[21] Further excavations have been conducted by the University of Jaffna.
Kadurugoda
A potsherd carrying a Sinhalese Prakrit inscription written in Brahmi scripts was found out in 1970 by a team of archaeologists from the Pennsylvania University in USA.[11][note 1]. Black and red ware Kanterodai potsherd with Tamil Brahmi[12]scripts from 300 BCE excavated with Roman coins, early Pandyan coins, early Chera Dynasty coins from the emporium Karur punch-marked with images of the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi from 500 BCE, punch-marked coins called Puranas from 6th-5th century BCE India, and copper kohl sticks similar to those used by the Egyptians found in Uchhapannai, Kandarodai indicate active transoceanic maritime trade between ancient Jaffna Tamils and other continental kingdoms in the prehistoric period.[13][14]
The parallel third century BCE discoveries of Manthai, Anaikoddai and Vallipuram detail the arrival of a megalithic culture in Jaffna long before the Buddhist-Christian era and the emergence of rudimentary settlements that continued into early historic times marked by urbanization.[15] Some scholars have identified Kourola mentioned by 2nd century AD Greek geographer Ptolemy and Kamara mentioned by the 1st century AD Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as being Kadiramalai.[16]
The earliest people of Jaffna were belonging to a megalithic culture akin to the South Indian megalithic culture. The period of buddhism in the Jaffna Peninsula differ from the rest of the island, which is seen as an overlapping of the megalithic beliefs with buddhism.[17] The ancient Kadurugoda Vihara buddhist monastery is situated at this site where a 10th century pillar inscription of Sinhalese language recording a regal proclamation of the bequest of gifts and benefits to a Buddhist place of warship was found.[11][2][8] Kandarodai was a buddhist mercantile centre among Tamils.[18] Researchers have a favourable opinion that Kantharodai was the capital of the Jaffna kings of the Naga lineage.[5]
The domes were reconstructed atop the flat bases of the ruins by the Archaeology Department. The similarities between the finds of ancient Jaffna and Tamil Nadu are indicators of a continuous cultural exchange between the two regions from classical antiquity.[19] These structures built over burials demonstrate the integration of Buddhism with Megalithism, a hallmark of Tamil Buddhism. Outside Andhra Pradesh in India, Kanterodai is perhaps the only site where such burials are seen.
According to scholars was Kantarodai, known in Tamil literature as Kadiramalai, the capital of the ancient Tamil Kingdom ruled by Tamil speaking Naga kings from 7th century AD to 10th century AD.[1] The Yalpana Vaipava Malai also describes Kadiramalai as the seat of Ukkirasinghan who fell in love with a Chola princess in the ancient period.[20]
In 1970, the University of Pennsylvania museum team excavated a ceramic sequence remarkably similar to that of Arikamedu, with a Pre-rouletted ware period, subdivided into an earlier "Megalithic", a later "Pre-rouletted ware phase," followed by a "Rouletted ware period". Tentatively assigned to the fourth century BCE, radio carbon dating later confirmed an outer date of the ceramics and Megalithic cultural commencement in Kandarodai to 1300 BCE.[21] Further excavations have been conducted by the University of Jaffna.
Jaffna Library
Until 1981, the most famous and largest library in Southeast Asia was located in Jaffna . Then she and her approximately 95,000 books went up in flames. The current library - built like an Indian palace - is new and, with its 25,000 books, once again provides a point of contact for the city's thirsty citizens, as well as researchers from all over Asia.
Until 1981, the most famous and largest library in Southeast Asia was located in Jaffna . Then she and her approximately 95,000 books went up in flames. The current library - built like an Indian palace - is new and, with its 25,000 books, once again provides a point of contact for the city's thirsty citizens, as well as researchers from all over Asia.
Jaffna Public Library
SouthUntil 1981, the most famous and largest library in Southeast Asia was located in Jaffna . Then she and her approximately 95,000 books went up in flames. The current library - built like an Indian palace - is new and, with its 25,000 books, once again provides a point of contact for the city's thirsty citizens, as well as researchers from all over Asia.
Keerimalai
Keerimalai [1] (Tamil: கீரிமலை kīrimalai) is a town in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. Naguleswaram temple is located in this suburb also a mineral water spring called Keerimalai Springs reputed for its curative properties. In Tamil Keerimalai means Mongoose-Hill, see Naguleswaram temple. Keerimalai is situated from 25 km north to Jaffna.
Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple (Tamil: கீரிமலை நகுலேஸ்வரம் கோயில்), historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka in the suburb of Kankesanthurai. One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost of the island's Pancha Ishwarams of Lord Siva, venerated by Hindus across the world from classical antiquity. Hindus believe its adjacent water tank, the Keerimalai Springs, to have curative properties, which irrigation studies attribute to high mineral content sourced from underground.
Keerimalai is 50 feet above sea level, and situated west of Palaly. Hindus flock in large numbers on Aadi Amaavaasai day which falls during the Tamil month of Aadi, to carry out rituals for their forefathers and bathe in the natural springs. Carried out largely by men, “Keerimalai” is particularly famous for this festival.
The temple was largely destroyed by Jesuit missionaries following the Portuguese conquest of the Jaffna kingdom, restored by Arumuka Navalar in 1894, was occupied by the Sri Lankan Army in 1983 and bombed by the Sri Lankan Air Force in 1993. After nearly twenty years, a major expansion and reopening of the temple occurred in 2012.
Keerimalai Naguleswaram Kovil
Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple (Tamil: கீரிமலை நகுலேஸ்வரம் கோயில்), historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka in the suburb of Kankesanthurai. One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost of the island's Pancha Ishwarams of Lord Siva, venerated by Hindus across the world from classical antiquity. Hindus believe its adjacent water tank, the Keerimalai Springs, to have curative properties, which irrigation studies attribute to high mineral content sourced from underground.
Keerimalai is 50 feet above sea level, and situated west of Palaly. Hindus flock in large numbers on Aadi Amaavaasai day which falls during the Tamil month of Aadi, to carry out rituals for their forefathers and bathe in the natural springs. Carried out largely by men, “Keerimalai” is particularly famous for this festival.
The temple was largely destroyed by Jesuit missionaries following the Portuguese conquest of the Jaffna kingdom, restored by Arumuka Navalar in 1894, was occupied by the Sri Lankan Army in 1983 and bombed by the Sri Lankan Air Force in 1993. After nearly twenty years, a major expansion and reopening of the temple occurred in 2012.
Jaffna Nillavarai Bottomless well
Nilavarai well is a deep underground natural water well thought to be bottomless.
It is an archeological monument in Jaffna Peninsula and has many enthralling legends adding to the mysteries that encircle it. Almost all legends are connected with the Ramayan, the chronicles of Rama – the seventh avatar of God Vishnu.
According to legend, Seetha, wife of Rama, while on the return journey to India was overcome with thirst and as there was no water to be found, Rama had gallantly shot an arrow on to the earth creating a well and it was the origin of Nilavarai. Varying legends replace different characters such as Hanuman, a devotee of Rama, shooting an arrow to create the well in a bid to quench Rama’s thirst and so on. Regardless, since the olden times the well has been a source of fresh water that never seemed to deplete and is also used for irrigation activities in the area.
In contrary to the beliefs of the well being bottomless, a recent expedition carried out by the divers of Sri Lanka Navy with the help of an automated robot managed to find the bottom of this mysterious well at a depth of 52.5 meters (172 feet). It was further discovered that several tunnels located at different levels inside lead towards different directions. At least one of the tunnels is believed to be connected to the Keerimalai pond.
The Naval expedition further revealed that the first 18.3 meters of the well contains fresh water while the water after that point turns salty in respect to the depth. The divers were also able to find debris of 3 carts fallen into the well.
The well could be treated to be a rare gift of Mother Nature and a place of iconic importance that attracts thousands of visitors due to its mysterious formation and the resounding legends.
Nilavarai well is a deep underground natural water well thought to be bottomless.
It is an archeological monument in Jaffna Peninsula and has many enthralling legends adding to the mysteries that encircle it. Almost all legends are connected with the Ramayan, the chronicles of Rama – the seventh avatar of God Vishnu.
According to legend, Seetha, wife of Rama, while on the return journey to India was overcome with thirst and as there was no water to be found, Rama had gallantly shot an arrow on to the earth creating a well and it was the origin of Nilavarai. Varying legends replace different characters such as Hanuman, a devotee of Rama, shooting an arrow to create the well in a bid to quench Rama’s thirst and so on. Regardless, since the olden times the well has been a source of fresh water that never seemed to deplete and is also used for irrigation activities in the area.
In contrary to the beliefs of the well being bottomless, a recent expedition carried out by the divers of Sri Lanka Navy with the help of an automated robot managed to find the bottom of this mysterious well at a depth of 52.5 meters (172 feet). It was further discovered that several tunnels located at different levels inside lead towards different directions. At least one of the tunnels is believed to be connected to the Keerimalai pond.
The Naval expedition further revealed that the first 18.3 meters of the well contains fresh water while the water after that point turns salty in respect to the depth. The divers were also able to find debris of 3 carts fallen into the well.
The well could be treated to be a rare gift of Mother Nature and a place of iconic importance that attracts thousands of visitors due to its mysterious formation and the resounding legends.
Nilavarai Kuyusu
46 AB18Nilavarai well is a deep underground natural water well thought to be bottomless.
It is an archeological monument in Jaffna Peninsula and has many enthralling legends adding to the mysteries that encircle it. Almost all legends are connected with the Ramayan, the chronicles of Rama – the seventh avatar of God Vishnu.
According to legend, Seetha, wife of Rama, while on the return journey to India was overcome with thirst and as there was no water to be found, Rama had gallantly shot an arrow on to the earth creating a well and it was the origin of Nilavarai. Varying legends replace different characters such as Hanuman, a devotee of Rama, shooting an arrow to create the well in a bid to quench Rama’s thirst and so on. Regardless, since the olden times the well has been a source of fresh water that never seemed to deplete and is also used for irrigation activities in the area.
In contrary to the beliefs of the well being bottomless, a recent expedition carried out by the divers of Sri Lanka Navy with the help of an automated robot managed to find the bottom of this mysterious well at a depth of 52.5 meters (172 feet). It was further discovered that several tunnels located at different levels inside lead towards different directions. At least one of the tunnels is believed to be connected to the Keerimalai pond.
The Naval expedition further revealed that the first 18.3 meters of the well contains fresh water while the water after that point turns salty in respect to the depth. The divers were also able to find debris of 3 carts fallen into the well.
The well could be treated to be a rare gift of Mother Nature and a place of iconic importance that attracts thousands of visitors due to its mysterious formation and the resounding legends.
Delft Island
Neduntheevu or Neduntivu is an island in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. This island is named as Delft in the Admiralty Chart unlike the other islands, whose names are Tamil. The island's area is 50 km² and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km and its maximum width about 6 km.
Neduntheevu or Neduntivu (Tamil: நெடுந்தீவு, Sinhala: ඩෙල්ෆ්ට්) (also known by its Dutch name Delft) is an island in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. This island is named as Delft in the Admiralty Chart unlike the other islands, whose names are Tamil. The island's area is 50 km² and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km and its maximum width about 6 km.
Neduntivu is a flat island surrounded by shallow waters and beaches of coral chunks and sand. It is home to a small population of Tamil people, mostly living in quiet compounds close to the northern coast.[1] The vegetation is of a semi-arid tropical type, with palmyra palms, dry shrubs and grasses that grow on the pale Grey porous coralline soil. Papayas and bananas grow close to the local people's homes. In the western coast of the island there are remains of a 1000-year-old temple[citation needed] built by the Chola Dynasty,[citation needed] as well as the ruins of a Dutch colonial fort. The water is slightly brackish, and it is taken from shallow wells using buckets made from palmyra palm leaves.[2] A naval battle was fought off the coast of the island in 2008 during the Sri-Lankan Civil War. There are feral ponies on the island, descendants of forebears abandoned there in the Dutch period.
The island was named after the Dutch city of Delft by Rijckloff van Goens. He named the eight most important islands after Dutch cities.
நெடுந்தீவு Delft Island [ඩෙල්ෆ් දූපත]
Unnamed RoadNeduntheevu or Neduntivu (Tamil: நெடுந்தீவு, Sinhala: ඩෙල්ෆ්ට්) (also known by its Dutch name Delft) is an island in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. This island is named as Delft in the Admiralty Chart unlike the other islands, whose names are Tamil. The island's area is 50 km² and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km and its maximum width about 6 km.
Neduntivu is a flat island surrounded by shallow waters and beaches of coral chunks and sand. It is home to a small population of Tamil people, mostly living in quiet compounds close to the northern coast.[1] The vegetation is of a semi-arid tropical type, with palmyra palms, dry shrubs and grasses that grow on the pale Grey porous coralline soil. Papayas and bananas grow close to the local people's homes. In the western coast of the island there are remains of a 1000-year-old temple[citation needed] built by the Chola Dynasty,[citation needed] as well as the ruins of a Dutch colonial fort. The water is slightly brackish, and it is taken from shallow wells using buckets made from palmyra palm leaves.[2] A naval battle was fought off the coast of the island in 2008 during the Sri-Lankan Civil War. There are feral ponies on the island, descendants of forebears abandoned there in the Dutch period.
The island was named after the Dutch city of Delft by Rijckloff van Goens. He named the eight most important islands after Dutch cities.
Jaffna Museum
A land owned by Sri Arumugam Navalar was gifted to the Department of Archaeolgy by Arumuga Navalar Foundation in 1975 and in 1978, the museum building was constructed on the land under the supervision of Dr. Roland Silva, the then Commissioner of Archaeology. A large portion of space in the building has been used for exhibition stalls.
The Regional Museum of Jaffna has been arranged to cover the area of Jaffna. Antiquities with archaeological heritage and historical value are exhibited in the museum. An excellent collection of items received from various places and donated by various persons in Jaffna centred Northern Province are kept in the museum. This collection of items which illustrate Buddhist and Hindu religious heritage includes items of metal, wood and stone. In addition to them, a large number of coins (of different periods and forms) is also available in the museum.
Jaffna Archaeological Museum is located in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The land was given to museum by Arumuga Navalar Foundation, and front portion has Navalar Cultural Hall. The museum houses a rare collection of antiquities. Buddhist and Hindu religious collection are in big collection, which are in various forms of metal, wood and stone. The excellent collections begin in time from the period of ancient period Sri Lanka to the colonial era. Also, some of the archaeological excavations findings of Kandarodai can seen at this museum. For Jaffna Archaeological Museum and beyond, use our Northern Province.
Jaffna Archeological Museum | யாழ்ப்பாண தொல்பொருள் அருங்காட்சியகம்
Navalar RoadJaffna Archaeological Museum is located in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The land was given to museum by Arumuga Navalar Foundation, and front portion has Navalar Cultural Hall. The museum houses a rare collection of antiquities. Buddhist and Hindu religious collection are in big collection, which are in various forms of metal, wood and stone. The excellent collections begin in time from the period of ancient period Sri Lanka to the colonial era. Also, some of the archaeological excavations findings of Kandarodai can seen at this museum. For Jaffna Archaeological Museum and beyond, use our Northern Province.