The most iconic city of Sri Lanka - Jaffna

When we talk about Sri Lanka, we always talk about destinations such as Ella, Mirissa, Kandy, and Galle.

But do you know that the most iconic city in Sri Lanka is located in the Northernmost part of the country? yes I am talking about Jaffna

Located in the northern province, Jaffna is considered the capital of the Northern province, and a cultural hub for all the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Due to the 35 years of civil war, Jaffna is considered "untouched" as traveling was restricted, and infrastructure was not up to the standards to handle a large number of tourists.

13 years down the lane, Jaffna is now booming with tourists, Hotels have been reopened and all tourist attractions have been reopened for tourists.

By traveling to Jaffna you will be able to experience the real Sri Lankan Tamil culture, burnt down Asia's largest library, the unique Jaffna Dutch Fort, the Holy Nallur temple, the cleanest beaches of Sri lanka, and amazing seafood.

Jaffna is mostly visited by Tamils around the world at the time of the Nallur festival. The Jaffna Nallur Festival is one of the most vibrant and significant festivals in Sri Lanka. Taking place in the town of Nallur, located in the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka, this festival is a grand celebration of the Hindu god Lord Murugan. This annual event is a time for locals and visitors to come together, immerse themselves in the culture and tradition of the Tamil people, and experience a unique blend of religion, culture, and community.

The festival is celebrated over a period of 25 days, with the main events taking place in the final 10 days. The celebrations include processions, music and dance performances, and various religious rituals. The atmosphere is one of joy, excitement, and devotion, with thousands of devotees participating in the festivities.

One of the main attractions of the festival is the chariot procession, where a beautifully decorated chariot carrying an image of Lord Murugan is pulled through the streets by devotees. The chariot is surrounded by a sea of people, all singing and chanting in unison, creating incredible energy and atmosphere.

Another important part of the festival is the Vannam performances, where dancers perform traditional dances in praise of Lord Murugan. These performances are characterized by vibrant costumes, intricate choreography, and energetic music, and are a spectacle to behold.

In addition to these events, there are also many rituals and ceremonies that take place during the festival, including the hoisting of the holy flag, the offering of special prayers, and the lighting of lamps. These rituals are a way for devotees to express their devotion to Lord Murugan and seek his blessings.

However traveling to Jaffna during the festival period is a challenge from Colombo, by bus, it will take 10hrs, and most of the buses don't provide the most comfortable ride. On a train, it will take 11hrs, yet due to the reconstruction of the northern railway, the trains to Jaffna were suspended until November 2023. on a plane, it will take between 60 to 75 minutes. yet there are very limited air options available in Sri Lanka. Charter helicopters will cost over 2700 USD, Cinnamoair is the only domestic airline operator that provides scheduled flights to Jaffna from Colombo international airport.

Cinnamon Air is the only domestic airline operator in Sri lanka that operates scheduled flights and charter flights to Jaffna. Weekly there are 4 flights, every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. The flight will travel via Sigiriya to Jaffna and will only take just 65 minutes to land at the Jaffna International Airport

you can book your tickets online by visiting www.cinnamonair.com