Mannar is a popular destination for tourists in the island nation, of Sri Lanka, and it’s known for its fast growth. The best time to travel to Mannar is January to September and December because in this period the place will have a warm temperature with limited rainfall. It offers a variety of attractions that are worth exploring. You know why Mannar is a popular destination.
- Ancient Myths
- Natural Attractions
What is special about Mannar, let’s have a look
Mannar is a beautiful place in Sri Lanka. Most people come to see Ketheeswaram temple and it is an important place for worship. Mannar is famous for its old temples and forts. It is also known for its beautiful beaches and baobab trees.
Let’s Visit the Places of Worship
Mannar has many different places to worship but there are two most important places to visit in Mannar.
- The Thiruketheeswaram Kovil
- The Church of Our Lady of Madhu
The Thiruketheeswaram Kovil
It is an old Hindu temple built around 2500 years ago. It is worshiped the God Shiva, one of the most important temples in Sri Lanka. It is located near a holy lake called Palavi Tank.
You know, there are many stories hidden in this temple. Some people believe this temple was built by Kethu Bhagavan (Hindu God), some are told it was built by King Mayan (the father of King Rama’s wife) and some are told it was built by South Indian merchants. When the Portuguese destroyed the temple in 1575, the local people rebuilt it in the 20th century.
Today due to Maha Shivaratri many people visit and celebrate in February and March. The best time to visit the temple is from 7 am to 7 pm. The pooja timings are at 8 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm every day.
The Church of Our Lady of Madhu
The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is a catholic church in Mannar Sri Lanka. It is the most important place for Catholics in Sri Lanka. People of all religions visit the shrine of our Lady of Madhu.
This church was crowned by the Pope in 1924. During the August festival, many people visit the church every year. The Madhu festival is the most important catholic festival in Sri Lanka. It is in August and many people visit the church every year.
Mannar Wildlife
The Mannar Bird Sanctuary is in Mannar, Sri Lanka. It is a good opportunity for nature and wildlife lovers. It is a great place to observe birds. There are different kinds of birds, like Deccan avifaunal species, crab lovers, long-tail shrike, black Drongo, and Indian Courser.
Not only that, but you can also see animals like deer and waterbirds near the ponds. You can see some birds that live here all year around and some are visiting from other places.
You can visit the bird sanctuary in December and January. It is a 15-minute drive from Mannar
along the south coast road to Vankalai.
The Gulf of Mannar
It is a special place for many kinds of plants and animals. It is one of the richest coastal areas in all of Asia. There are 3600 different species and 117 kinds of hard coral.
You can see sea turtles, sharks, dugongs, and dolphins come to The Gulf Of Mannar. This makes it popular for tourists because of the Gulf of Mannar’s beauty and diverse marine life.
You can visit the Gulf of Mannar from October to March.
Thanthiri Male
Thanthiri Male is an old village located 80 kilometers outside of Mannar, Sri Lanka. This temple is an important and central part of the village. Once upon a time, Thanthirimale was a Buddhist temple. In the 1960s this temple was renewed by Buddhist monks.
During the dry seasons, July to September and December to February are the best times to visit Thanthiri Male, and avoid visiting during the summer because the temperatures can be very high. The best time to visit the temple is early morning till noon and after 4 pm.
Adam’s Bridge
This bridge is a path between Sri Lanka and India. It is a series of underwater rocks. It is a very interesting place with a long history and special meaning.
Muslims Say: Adam, the first human landed on Adam’s peak in Sri Lanka. Then he crossed to India using the Bridge.
Hindus Say: Ravana, the demon king kidnapped Sita, the wife of Rama. With the help of strong Monkey Warriors, Rama saved his wife. The Bridge was made by Monkey Warriors. They built this to reach the island where Sita was being held.
Not only that, but you must also visit more attractive places in Mannar like,
- Mannar Fort – plan your trip during July and September and between December
- ThalaiMannar Lighthouse – the best time to visit is Between December to February
- Arippu Dutch Fort – between July and September, or between December and February
- Giant’s tank – between July to September, or between December to February
- Keeri Beach – July to September and again from December to February
- Mannar Island – January to September and December
So, Explore with Mannar Holidays. Enjoy your holiday by visiting Sri Lanka. The beauty of nature and the atmosphere make your holiday worthwhile. Book your Mannar Holidays today and immerse yourself in the beauty of Sri Lanka.
