The world’s society is becoming more multicultural as the years go by. Every country you visit will have a multitude of people from various cultures and races living together, bringing a little bit of them to enrich society and to make it more accepting. Sri Lanka prides itself in being a vastly multicultural country with historic influences from the Aryan Indians back in 2000BC to the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences that reigned from the 1850s to 1948. This has allowed the Sri Lankan society to be understanding of how different cultures can be, making the Ceylonese people hospitable, welcoming and warm.
Presenting Jaffna: The Northern Kingdom of the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka, which blends different cultures together so seamlessly that it becomes its own unique paradise.
Architecture and Design:
The Jaffna peninsula and surrounding islands feel a world away from the rest of Sri Lanka, because the area has been influenced by different eras throughout history. Commonly believed to be the epitome of the Hindu-Tamil culture in Sri Lanka, the region is also important with regards to its Buddhist background, in places such as Nagadeepa. The historicity of Jaffna is exemplified by the existence of marvellous structures such as the Jaffna Dutch Fort and a host of other archeological monuments like the Kachcheri Building, Delft Lighthouse, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and many churches. The centre of a 30-year old civil war, this cultural gem of a city is a phoenix by its own right. Visit Jaffna to take a journey through time, amidst ancient remnants, ruins and a city that’s rising from the ashes.
Jaffna Cuisine:
A delightful mix of spices, aromatics, and colour, the food ethos in Jaffna alone are a perfectly valid reason to pay a visit to the north. With traces of south indian cuisine, and a distinct touch of local ingredients, the gastronomical scene in Jaffna is sure to keep you craving more. Treat your tastebuds to a range of local delicacies, such as the much-celebrated Lamb Curry, Jaffna Hoppers with a dash of ghee, Curry Crab, Pittu, and Modakam. You could have a sip of Rasam in between your courses to cleanse your palate as you prepare yourself for more of Jaffna delights.
The Local Lifestyle:
Jaffna being the cultural melting pot that it is, it’s no surprise that the residents of the area are interesting, to say the least. Take a stroll to the city centre, to drown in an authentic cacophony of smells, sounds and sights. The local people are a friendly bunch and would go out of their way to make you feel at home, having no limits to their warm hospitality. You could purchase the freshest catch of the day at fish stalls and munch on fresh produce as you continue your walk. With towering palmyra trees, vibrant local markets, scrumptious street food, and streets radiating with vitality, you won’t feel the time pass you by. For citizens from a town that was destroyed by the war, the people in Jaffna still manage to fill you with hope, happiness and optimistic thoughts.
