Jaffna

Jaffna is the cultural town of the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. Jaffna District, the northernmost region of the Island of Sri Lanka, is one of the oldest habitation sites in Lower South Asia, populated by Tamil speaking people. Jaffna is situated within ten degrees of latitude to the north of the equator. It is in close proximity to the sub-continent of India and separated from it by the Palk Strait and the Bay of Bengal. Get in By plane Jaffna is the northern capital and has an airport based in Palali. Due to the current circumstances there are no international flights to Palali. To get to Jaffna one must fly into Colombo the southern capital and get a domestic flight to Palali. There is air service to and from Colombo, provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights are available from origins throughout Europe, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Other airlines, include Qatar Airlines and Emirates. Colombo's international airport is at Katunayake. By bus There are several private bus services operating from Colombo to Jaffna, cost varies from 900 Rupees onwards for a person. The drive takes half a day to complete (9 hours +) following the A9 motorway which runs through the middle of Sri-Lanka. From/to Vavuniya the journey costs approximately 180LKR by private bus and takes around 3.5 - 4 hours. Currently the road is being upgraded causing slight delays. Vavuniya has good connections to other parts of the Central North. Alternatively buses pass through Anuradhapura (1-1&1/2 hours south) however Vavuniya to Jaffna buses leave regularly throughout the day so any waiting in Vavuniya should be minimal. By train Before the escalation of the war there was a train service running from Colombo to Jaffna but now it only runs half way to Vavuniya from where you will have to get a bus towards Jaffna. Get around Once in Jaffna there are several modes of transport. By auto (tuk-tuk) these are three wheelers which are very common in south east asian countries. These are the quickest and probably the cheapest way to get around to places. By bus Public transport system available in Jaffna are the buses. By Mini-Van These are private hire mini-vans, best if you need transportation for the whole day. Other The locals get around on cycles and Mopeds, Cycling is not safe with the number of dogs on the street. See Nallur Temple Selva Sannithi Temple Nagapoosani Temple (Nainatheevu) Jaffna Library Nagadeepa Temple Sri Naga Vihara Temple vaddu kannaki amman temple -vaddukoddai Festivals Nallur Kovil Thaer Thiruvizha (Chariot Festival) This is one of the biggest festivals in Jaffna at the greatest temples in Sri-lanka. This is a feast for the senses while the faithful are praying and the chariot is being pulled through the temple grounds. Thai-Pongal (harvest festival) Thai Pongal happens on January 14th and it is the celebration of good harvest. There will be fireworks and celebrations all thorugh the day and night. All temples hold special Pongal poojas where people make pongal in front of the temple. Theepavali The festival of light. Tamil Sinhala New Year the tamil/sinhala new year is celebrated on the 14th of April. the new year according to tamil calendar. Do There isn't a lot to do on Jaffna unless you arrive at festival times. Nallur Kovil Thiruvizha (festival) is the biggest event in the Jaffna calendar when all the faithful come home to pray. Buy Eat Drink Water isn't good because of mineral content. The local brew is toddy, from the coconut or the palmyrah tree. Toddy from the palmyrah tree is sweeter. Sleep City Hotel Jaffna, No: 70/6, K.K.S. Road, ☎ +94 021 2225969, [1]. Comfortable and furnished rooms, all equipped with LCD TV, Safe and Bathroom with hot and cold water. Facilities and services are Restaurant, Bar and Gymnasium. From USD 73.20.  edit Blue Haven, 70 Racca Road, ☎ +94212229958, [2]. A/C suites equipped with cable TV, broadband internet access, private toilet and bath. Some of its facilities and services are banquet hall, swimming pool, restaurant and ample parking. From LKR 3,664.32.  edit Hotel Luxetoiles, 34, Chetty Street Lane, ☎ 0094212223966, [3]. Rooms with natural surroundings, built in cubicle shower, Sat TV, phone service, dining and with or with out A/C. Ample car parking, driver rest area. From LKR 4,000.00.  edit Contact Get out Kandy - public bus 8 hours Rs400 - there are regular public (red) bus towards Kandy during the day. So don't believe in any of those people telling you that the bus has departed and asking you to ride on his vehicle instead. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!