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Wednesday, September 8, 2010Nallur Festival
Historical Nallur Festival, also known as Nallur Kandaswamy temple annual festival, is the largest Hindu temple festival event in the Jaffna peninsula.The Nallur festival begins on August 15 and may last for 25 days. This year nearly two hundred thousand visitors visited the event and the Jaffna hotels were unable to cope with the influx, warm-hearted residents of Jaffna from all faiths opened their doors to the pilgrims.
The Nallur is the major highlight of socio, cultural and religious spirit of Jaffna society, Sri Lanka. The festival in August would be the second to be held following the end of the war in May last year. The historic festival generally draws devotees from around the island as well as overseas particular from United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, India and Australia, most from the Tamil Diasporas who were unable to roam freely in the island during the thirty years of bloody civil war.
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil or Nallur Murugan Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the Jaffna District of Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It stands in the town of Nallur. The presiding Deity is Lord Muruga in the form of the holy Vel.
According to tradition, Nallur Kantha Swamy Temple is said to be one of the few temples in the Peninsula that all the festivals, rites and observances as found in the Tamil Saivasim traditions are practiced and reflected with regularity, splendor and pageantry. It is said to be one of the impressive temples dedicated to Lord Murugan.
The annual Nallur Temple festival, which had in Hindus pay homage to Lord Murugan by way of offering flowers, burning incenses and coconuts amidst continuous recital of "Haro Haraa".
Nallur festival, lasting for 25 days will conclude with ‘Theertham’ (Water Cutting ceremony) on September 10, followed by the ‘Poonkavanam’ (ceremony of Eternal Bliss) held on the next day. ‘Ther procession’ is to be held on September 9.
uhunthan Murugaiah at 1:17 AM 3 comments Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz
Monday, September 6, 2010Arugam Bay in Eastern Sri Lanka
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Arugam Bay is located 220 km due East of Colombo. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination in Sri Lanka. I’ve been to Arugam Bay before in its tourist season and it’s an absolute beauty. The waves the wind and everything was so perfect. However in the raining season it’s not the case; you cannot even go out because of the rain. In the raining season it’s very hard to find a day without any rain. Thanks to a weather forecasting website I was able to find a day without any rain. It was 2010 nearly five and a half years after Sri Lanka was hit by the Tsunami in 2004, and surprisingly Arugam Bay is one of the very first coasts to get hit by the Tsunami in Sri Lanka.
Many of the buildings were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami. The post Tsunami recovery has by and large been very quick despite the remoteness of the area. Many NGO's and private organisations have help rebuild the area and some of the guest houses are now much better than before the wave. Both north and south of Arugam Bay there are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Sri Lanka.Due to its popularity among tourists they are managed a slow recovery by private initiatives only.
The main beach is Clean now, it was bit dirty as it is used as a garbage dump by some locals after tsunami. Nearby beaches are more aesthetically pleasing and also have excellent waves. Arugam Surf Point has a very long, consistent, section right hand break. Many organizations claim to have done extensive work in the area.
US 'Mercy Corps' has been the most active organization, funded by Oprah Whinfrey 'Angel Network', following a huge fund-raising TV series in the United States. Sadly, none of their projects survived the first year of operation. A bridge being constructed by USAID and It was opened for traffic in 2008. It replaced the 1960s, original landmark box girder construction linking Arugam Bay with Pottuvil. At km 313 on the main A4 road, an excellent shortcut link road exists, which ends up in the very middle of Arugam Bay itself. This picturesque drive avoids the dusty town of Pottuvil.
November to January is coolest and April to August, when the surf is best, could reach above 36 C in the shade. The three international renowned surf points close to Arugam Bay are Arugam Point, Pottuvil Point and Crocodile Rock.
The ISA (International Surfing Association) staged Arugam Bay's first international surfing competition in the summer of 2004, and despite the shocking destruction of the Tsunami, returned again in 2005 to give the battered local economy a boost. Recently in 2010 there were couple of Surfing competitions stage place here with the help of Sri Lanka Tourism and the Sri Lankan Airlines.
The nearby (4 km) village of Pottuvil is the center of commerce and transportation while tourist accommodations lie along the beach to the south of Pottuvil. There are now almost daily flights to Ampara with Sri Lankan Airlines sea planes. They are presently applying for a licence to land on Pottuvil Lagoon. Arugam Bay (4 km) is also the gateway and the only road access to the Yala East National Park. This area is known as Kumana (44 km), to be reached via Panama (17 km) and the shires at Okanda (32 km).
Whether you want to dine on the beach in view of the sea or watch the world pass by from a sidewalk cafe, the cuisine of Arugam Bay offers just what you’re looking for. A stroll along Main Street will take you past many traditional Sri Lankan restaurants serving some of the best rice and curry on the island. You’ll find a variety of accommodation in Arugam Bay with something suitable for every budget. Many of the hotels are small ‘guesthouses’.
Unfortunately Arugam Bay is on its way to become a major tourist destination, so you better hurry up while it’s still laid-back and original!
Posted by Muhunthan Murugaiah at 3:02 AM 0 comments Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz
Sunday, September 5, 2010Tourism in Jaffna Peninsula
Jaffna Peninsula is located in the far north of Sri Lanka in the Northern Province, and situated 398 km to the north of Colombo. The austere beauty of Jaffna unlike any other town or city in Sri Lanka sets it apart from other tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.
Currently over 500 domestic tourists are visiting to Jaffna daily from various parts of the country with the dawn of peace. There are also a small number of foreign tourists also visiting the peninsula. With the opening of the A-9 road for the public, the number of tourists visiting Jaffna has increased rapidly. Jaffna is a resource land, which was untouched for the past three decades and it is vital to adopt the concept of being green since it is timely to have a sustained tourism in the country.
Climate
The climate of Jaffna is dry and tropical as it lies within ten degrees of the equator. Humidity in the air and land-sea breezes makes the temperature conditions more equable on the sea board. The weather conditions in Jaffna are marked by extremes temperatures as it falls in the Dry Zone. The highest temperatures are recorded during the months of April - May and August - September, when the sun is directly overhead. December - January are the coolest period
Accommodations
Due to the large number of tourists and travellers coming in, lack of accommodation options are available, however currently a lot of small inns and guest houses are established for the convenience of travellers.
Transportation
Transportation in Jaffna is well connected. You can avail various local modes of transport like buses, cars and autos to travel to different parts of Jaffna. The prices charged are quite affordable. The Tourist Attractions in Jaffna can be conveniently visited by the travellers and tourists due to the good transport system of the peninsular.
Natural Beauty of Jaffna
Jaffna’s natural characteristics range from semi - deserts of sand dunes reaching heights of 12- 15 meters at Manalkattu to numerous expanses of water. The waterscape offered by the Jaffna lagoon, which is dotted by several islands is outstanding; the outriggers and catamarans of flamboyant colours that are sailing in the lagoon make a beautiful picture of the calm blue waters. The long stretches of unspoilt, secluded beaches (like Casuarina beach and Kalmunani point near Jaffna, Thondamannar, Senthankulam and Keeramalai) are ideal for sunbathing, swimming and water skiing, as well as for sailing. A drive along the causeways linking the chain of Jaffna islands (like Kayts, Karaitive and Pungudutivu) is rewarding for the beautiful sunset is affords with austere palmyrah palms stand silhouetted against the glorious sky. Other islands like Nagadeepa and Delft are reachable only by ferry.
Such a natural setting to Jaffna with its considerable water front has the potential to be developed as the “Venice of Asia” Delft, about 32 Km, south - west of the Jaffna peninsula is the outer most inhabited island. Its shore line is unique in that coral rock stands out on the beach and out at sea above the water, having peculiar and fantastic formations. Its beaches are unspoilt and the waters are shallow. It is rich in natural habitat, where one could hear the cries of sea birds, heighing of ponies, mooning of cattle, bleating of goats, and the boom of the surfs with a mix of gentle whisper of the wind. To a visitor interested in bird watching, the Jaffna islands will prove fascinating, with considerable presence of grey partridge, curlew, plover, ring dove, Indian courser, great stone plover, reef heron, lapwings, egrets and many more. It also offers fascinating bio – diversity.
The Culture
The culture of the Jaffna peninsula has been moulded by its harsh climate, and by the protean Hindu religion, its mythology and legend. The well at Puttur, which the inhabitants believe as bottomless, is some 45 meters deep and legend has it that Rama, the hero of Epic Ramayana of Indian fame, stopped here and plunged his arrow into the soil, whence water came spurting out and he quenched his thrust from this spring that never dies. The island Kayts, according to legend, is said to be the location, from which one of the three Magi came bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. It is also believed that ships of king Soloman traded at the Kayts’ harbour.
There are several Hindu temples of outstanding architectural characteristics in the peninsula, of which those at Nallur in the mainland and Nagapoosani Kovil at island Nagadeepa are the most popular. Hindu religious festivals have an atmosphere all its own. It is a feast of music, dance and colour. The last day of festival is marked by a colorful procession.
Heritage
There are numerous heritage sites dating from the pre - Christian time to colonial era. The Buddhist site at Kantarodai near Chunnakam dates from Pre - Christian times to about the 12th century A. D Sangalitoppu at Nallur was the residence of the provincial rulers of Jaffna, before the advent of Portuguese. Several remains including an ornamental entrance arch to the palace complex, depicting colonial influences, still survives.
Despite the Jaffna fort, which is the major heritage attraction of the peninsula, there are several monuments and sites of the colonial era. The island of Delft has monuments (like its castle) that still reflect Portuguese characteristics in a skeletal form. There are smaller Dutch forts at Elephant pass, Kayts, Pooneryn and at the small islet of Hammenhiel. The remains of Dutch Church with it Portuguese origin still stands at Chankanai. Considered as architecturally, the only one of its kind in the Island, it was constructed of coral masonry with its foundations going back to 1640’s.
Pilgrimage
Apart from such natural, cultural and heritage attraction, Jaffna peninsula is also a place of pilgrimage. The fresh water spring on the beach at Keeramalai are said to contain healing water and is a popular pilgrim destination. The island Nagadeepa is said to have been hallowed by a visit of the Lord Buddha. The Sinhala Buddhists from south visit the Buddhist temple in this island to pay homage to their Master. This island is also a popular pilgrim destination of the Hindus, and the Hindu temple of Nagapoosani and the Buddhist temple that stand side by in this island showcase the religious tolerance. Katchchativu and Palaitivu are popular destinations of Christian pilgrimage where Catholics from Sri Lanka as well as from neighboring India come there in thousands.
Therefore, for the local visitor, the extra-ordinary landscape features of Jaffna, with palmyrah trees, arid climate, and the presence of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian shrines are the main attractions. Apart from developing Jaffna as a major destination of tourism in Sri Lanka, it has the potential to build the ethnic and religious harmony of this war torn country.
For a foreign visitor, the contrasting landscape features, cultural and bio-diversity, the monuments of colonial era, etc. provide opportunities for eco - tourism and nature-culture tourism. Therefore from an international point of view, if promoted and marketed properly, Jaffna has all the potential to be developed as a major tourist destination in South Asia by tailoring it into a showcase which combines beach/marine experience and cultural legacy. The improved connectivity in the near future by air and land for tourists will also facilitate such a Development, The close connectivity to Trincomalee of eastern sea board and even to Southern India will further enhance to develop tourism.
Since the war has come to an end, with higher level of security and safety, Jaffna is slowly becoming conducive to develop tourism.Through the increased developments in the medium and long-term investments of the resorts, inns, restaurants and hotels, it would expand the Gross Domestic Production (GDP), foreign exchange earnings, and job opportunities within the area and as a result the per capita income of the people of Northern Province will also increase substantially. With the rapid development projects that are being carried by the government and the private sector will help and boost the tourism business in the Northern Province in the near future.
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