[[H_0001]On Delft Island, wild horses and ponies roam freely. This natural scene is part of a Northern Province where religious sites, forts and varied landscapes invite exploration. The Northern Province is one of Sri Lanka’s nine provinces. On the Jaffna Peninsula and the surrounding islands, Hindu and Buddhist temples, beaches and other notable sights offer a variety of cultural and scenic perspectives.
Forts, Temples and Regional History
The dates associated with the forts reflect different historical periods: Jaffna Fort was built in Jaffna in 1618 by the Portuguese under Philip De Olivera; Mannar Fort was built by the Portuguese as early as 1560 and later used by the Dutch (1658) and the British (1795). In Jaffna District, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples. The Jaffna Archaeological Museum displays regional artefacts that illustrate the way of life of the population since prehistoric times, as well as traditional values of the Tamil community. Together, architectural history, religious significance and regional artefacts offer different cultural perspectives.
Landscapes and Natural Highlights
The Northern Province is almost entirely flat and characterized by extensive paddy fields. Iranamadu Tank is the second-largest reservoir in the Northern Province. Chundikulam was designated a bird sanctuary in 1938 and is considered a wildlife destination for visitors to Sri Lanka’s northern region; the area includes beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes, among other features.
Casuarina Beach in the Karainagar area features a long stretch of shore, shallow waters, distinctive casuarina trees and gentle waves. Keerimalai Spring is an underground freshwater spring near the sea and Naguleswaram Kovil. The natural highlights range from habitats and coastal features to an underground spring.
Regional Cuisine and Seasonal Produce
In Kaithady, Jaffna, Ammachchi Authentic Food Center offers vegetarian northern Sri Lankan dishes such as dosai, vadai, milk hoppers, string hoppers, piddu and kurakkan rotti; they are prepared on site. Seasonal produce from the Northern Province includes mangoes, plantains, jackfruit, pomegranates, wood apples and yams. People visit the region in particular during the season for these products as well; availability varies seasonally. The specific vegetarian menu in Kaithady and the province’s seasonal produce thus represent different culinary perspectives.
Getting There and Getting Around
Sri Lanka’s Northern Railway line runs through the Northern Province and ends at the northern port of Kankesanthurai. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable in advance; rail connections and timetables may change. In the wider region, Jaffna International Airport (IATA: JAF, ICAO: VCCJ) serves northern Sri Lanka. The locations differ: the railway line runs through the province, while the airport serves the north of the country.
Discover more destinations: Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Nelumkulama, Point Pedro, Allalppidi, Mullaitivu
For the main travel overview: Sri Lanka.
