Nagadeepa
'Nagadeepa' is probably the recognized landmark in the Jaffna peninsula for the Southeners since Buddhists, the majority of the southerners believe that lord Buddha visited Nagadeepa during his second visit to the country. According to legend Lord Buddha visited the site to resolve a conflict between 'Naga' tribesmen who build the temple to honour the settlement.
Over time the temple which has been repaired by kings like Dhathusena, Saddhathissa, and Dutugemunu. But the temple was also destroyed periodically during various invasions. The most recent of such incidents occurred in 1958 when angry Tamil rioters broke down the statue of Lord Buddha, a present from Myanmar, and threw it to the sea. The statue was later retrieved from the sea bottom and was reinstalled at Kareinagar Army camp.
'Naagapushani Amman' kovil is the other important tourist attraction in Nagadeepa. As it is said in legends, the old god statue in this kovil emerged from the earth, thousands of years ago and Indian merchants who frequented Jaffna constructed this kovil. Contributors' board of Naagapushani Amman kovil hold a 'Dansela' to provide free lunch to Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims visiting Nagadeepa and the rest house there can provide accommodation to 200 people.
To reach Nagadeepa Island, one has to take a boat from Kites, Karikattuwan jetty. One passenger is charged only Rs 20 for this 30 Km tour which lasts nearly 20 minutes.
Delft Island
To reach Delft island , one can use Karikattuwan jetty where he can take the ferry (a large boat with motors) to the island free of charge. The boat which belongs to the Road Development Authority leaves the jetty at 09.00 AM and reaches Delft in about one hour. The boat leaves Delft at 03.00 PM.
The entrance to Delft is decorated by a huge pandol. One CTB bus operates in the island and if you intend to tour the island, you can use Lorries, land masters and three-wheelers also.
The island still bears evidence of its Portuguese, Dutch influence; there are two forts, one of which is built in Portuguese time while the other one was built during the Dutch period.
The Dutch Fort which was also used as a prison has very small rooms and 2 ½ feet thick walls.
In the past, pigeons served as the medium of communication between the islands and there still is a vast pigeon population in the Portuguese fort. Limestone can be seen everywhere in the island and walls surrounding the houses in the island have been raised with these stones. Delft, which has a population of about 5000 people, is the only place with this sort of walls.
The other important sight in this island is the "growing rock'. The 'growing rock', situated fenced around at a Devala premises, grows in size according to the islanders.
The Christians believe Adam left his footprints in the island. The island has the ruins of a few old temples as well.
Over time the temple which has been repaired by kings like Dhathusena, Saddhathissa, and Dutugemunu. But the temple was also destroyed periodically during various invasions. The most recent of such incidents occurred in 1958 when angry Tamil rioters broke down the statue of Lord Buddha, a present from Myanmar, and threw it to the sea. The statue was later retrieved from the sea bottom and was reinstalled at Kareinagar Army camp.
'Naagapushani Amman' kovil is the other important tourist attraction in Nagadeepa. As it is said in legends, the old god statue in this kovil emerged from the earth, thousands of years ago and Indian merchants who frequented Jaffna constructed this kovil. Contributors' board of Naagapushani Amman kovil hold a 'Dansela' to provide free lunch to Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims visiting Nagadeepa and the rest house there can provide accommodation to 200 people.
To reach Nagadeepa Island, one has to take a boat from Kites, Karikattuwan jetty. One passenger is charged only Rs 20 for this 30 Km tour which lasts nearly 20 minutes.
Delft Island
To reach Delft island , one can use Karikattuwan jetty where he can take the ferry (a large boat with motors) to the island free of charge. The boat which belongs to the Road Development Authority leaves the jetty at 09.00 AM and reaches Delft in about one hour. The boat leaves Delft at 03.00 PM.
The entrance to Delft is decorated by a huge pandol. One CTB bus operates in the island and if you intend to tour the island, you can use Lorries, land masters and three-wheelers also.
The island still bears evidence of its Portuguese, Dutch influence; there are two forts, one of which is built in Portuguese time while the other one was built during the Dutch period.
The Dutch Fort which was also used as a prison has very small rooms and 2 ½ feet thick walls.
In the past, pigeons served as the medium of communication between the islands and there still is a vast pigeon population in the Portuguese fort. Limestone can be seen everywhere in the island and walls surrounding the houses in the island have been raised with these stones. Delft, which has a population of about 5000 people, is the only place with this sort of walls.
The other important sight in this island is the "growing rock'. The 'growing rock', situated fenced around at a Devala premises, grows in size according to the islanders.
The Christians believe Adam left his footprints in the island. The island has the ruins of a few old temples as well.
1 comment:
thanks, i love this place
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