Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil

Jaffna & the North


This lovely complex is an airy Hindu temple set amid mature neem trees. The main temple deity is the naga goddess Meenakshi, a consort of Shiva. (The term naga refers variously to serpent deity figures and to the ancient inhabitants of the island.) Women wishing to conceive come here seeking blessings, delivered during the trance-inducing midday puja. An impressive festival is held in June/July every year and attracts over 100,000 people. It's directly in front of the ferry jetty.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Jaffna & the North attractions

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3. Fort Hammenhiel

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A tiny islet in the bay is home to the pocket-sized Fort Hammenhiel, a small Portuguese-built bastion that passed on to the Dutch in the 1650s. The thick…

4. Kayts

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5. St Anthony's Church

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6. Chaatty Beach

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Chaatty Beach is no white-sand wonder, but it’s passable for swimming and has changing rooms, picnic gazebos and snack vendors. It's just 11km from Jaffna.

7. War Memorial

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8. Casuarina Beach

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