Jaffna * Sixtyexpress

Today we travel north to the city of Jaffna. This is an area of predominantly Tamil speaking people.

I don’t think the man in the boat is going to milk those cows for the baby formula, do you. He looks too comfortable.

It was an area that experienced some of the worst conditions during the civil war. The war started because of the discrimination of the Sinhalese government against the Tamil people because of their Indian heritage.

Jaffna library was a communal area for the Tamil people. It held over 90,000 books and irreplaceable manuscripts including many on the history of the Tamil people. Unfortunately it was set alight by Sinhalese police in 1981 just before the war started. It has been rebuilt but most of the original books and documents were destroyed.

There are separate sections for men and women. Children have their own area. Visitors are not allowed to enter any of the actual areas so we didn’t get to check them out and compare them to ours did we. The garden was pretty anyway.

Onwards to the Fort! The Portuguese built a fort here as well as at Galle. This one isn’t as well reconstructed yet but there are no hawkers either.Hurrah!

Most of the internal buildings have been destroyed but the parapet walls are still intact.

The well so you would be able to hold out if you were besieged, wouldn’t you and as long as it was land attack, you could fish.

The fort was made from rock cut from a coral bed You can see the shapes in the wall can’t you. With water, crocodiles and possibly crops growing inside the fort, you are set to fight of any marauders aren’t you….

Might need to renovate, I thing thawed has been a tree growing in your wall

Motorbikes and bicycles are the main form of transport here

Since we at in a Hindu area, you are going to see a few temples . Shoes off so make sure you have socks in case the ground is hot. Girls, cover those shoulders! Men you get to cover your knees and show your manly chests😄🤔

Hindu temples are often brightly coloured but some are painted all gold. You can only photograph them from outside The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil temple is a historical building. During the year they have colourfully processions and celebrations. They were just praying while we are here but you can get a blessing if you wish

Look at all those broken coconuts,hope they were broken for good vibes

Well having been blessed , we will be already for tomorrow when we go to the other major temple in the area. Dinner is amusing as the staff are all confused…..orders take for ever if they come at all….staff are berated….the chef( a huge) man had to have a rest….customers start to leave. It is a mess.

We are here…..a short walk with all the pilgrims to the boats.

Is that the island in the distance.There are two religious sites on the island: Nagadeepa Temple and Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman kovil. The first is a Buddhist shrine ( a passing visit only) and the second is the Hindu temple we will actually enter. Ready.

Some of the boats carry more than 200 people packed like sardines in a can. Do you want to travel like a local…..no, me neither.

Both religious sites have an emphasis on the cobra. This is due to the original settlers that used the cobra symbol.

A short walk brings you to the Hindu temple

Anoint yourself, special ash, red or darker pigment for men

The main door as you enter the courtyard is made up of segments with tiny bells. The other doors have symbols on them.

Doors at entry just before courtyard doors

It is colourful with the bright colours, drums playing and the Nadaswaram (a type of flute or horn). Everyone is wearing their best clothes or white. The ash is made by drying the dung from cows and then burning it to an ash.