| Year and Month | June, 2014 (15th) |
| Number of Days | Two Day Trip |
| Crew | 04 (Myself, Wuminda, Dushan and Nirosh) |
| Accommodation | Four Tees Inn Thoddaveli, Mannar |
| Transport | By Car |
| Activities | Photography and Just travelling |
| Weather | Excellent |
| Route | Colombo -> Puttalama -> Sinharagama -> Oyamadu -> Mannar -> Thalaimannar -> Returned to Mannar -> Murunkan -> Silawatturai -> Arippu fort -> Return to A14 road -> Madu junction -> Madu church -> Oyamaduwa -> Puttalama -> Colombo. |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | Niroshan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
This was a long awaited trip for Wuminda and me. I could gather enough information about Mannar and places on the way to Mannar by reading Lakdasun reports. We started the journey from Colombo around 7.30am due to my job commitments. On the way we have visited some other places and reached Mannar around 8.30pm. (I will discuss it later by a separate report). We were warmly welcome by Mr.Rohan at Four Tees Inn.
Places we visited in Mannar and Thalaimannar
- Thalaimannar pier, light house and beach
- Urumalee light house and Adam’s mausoleum
- Baob tree and Dutch fort
- Thiruketeeswaram Kovil and Manthota ancient temple
- Giant lake
- Arippu fort/Doric bungalow.
- Madu Church.
We started our tour around Mannar and Thalaimannar in early morning from Four Tees rest inn. First we visit at Mannar beach which can be approached by beach road from Rest Inn in about 5minutes drive.
 Thoddaveli Railway station |
 Early morning Mannar beach |
Common friend met at Mannar beach
Then we came back to main road and drove towards Thalaimannar. Road condition from Mannar to Thalaimannar was good and development after war can be noticed.
First we came to Thalaimannar pier road and went to Thalaimannar beach.
 Thalaimannar new railway station. About to open |
 Thalaimannar beach. Fresh fish |
Thalaimannar beach and old pier
 Thalaimannar Pier. This old one is used by Navy. They usually don’t allow visitors to go there now as it is risky. |
 Thalaimannar light house. Not allowed to climb up |
Dry fish. Hall mark of Mannar
On our way back we noticed the Buddhist temple at Thalaimannar. Urumalee road starts in between Thalaimannar School and police. This road ends at Urumalee Navy camp. We could see remaining of old light house of Urumalee. To reach Adam’s mausoleum, you have to come back and take right hand turn at Christ’s statue. This road ends there.
 Buddhist temple at Thalaimannar |
 Decaying iron structure at Urumalee light house |
 Closer view |
 Thalaimannar church |
 Adam’s mausoleum. It has 20ft long two graves in bordered by a parapet. This is considered as a Islam religious place. They believe this belongs to two person came from middle east (mother and son) with 60ft height 600 years ago. Don’t know how it relates to Adam |
 Another view |
 Donkeys are common in this island and they are not used for any work |
Then we came back to Mannar town to visit Baob tree. You have to go along a by road about 1km to reach there.
 Baob tree |
 See how large it is |
Parameters
Tallady Bridge connects main land with Mannar Island. We have visited Old Dutch fort at Mannar before we leave the island. This fort was built by Portuguese in 1560 and it was captured Dutch in 1658 and rebuilt in 1696. This fort has four bastions.
 Mannar Dutch fort |
 Mannar Dutch Fort |
A monument
 Most attractive part of the fort |
Tallady Bridge
After came to main island back, we visited at Thiruketeeswaram Kovil. You have to travel along Poonaryn road and take a by road to reach there. We were able to visit at Manthota ancient temple which is situated closer to the Kovil. Palavi tank is also situated close to Kovil.
 Thiruketeeswaram Kovil. Photographs not allowed inside |
 This is one of the Kovils dedicated for God Siva in the country. According to historian it has been there even before Wijaya arrival to Sri Lanka as Mannar was an ancient port. It was destructed by Portuguese and used stones to build Mannar fort. This Kovil was rebuilt in early part of 20th century |
 Sacred Bo tree at Manthota ancient temple |
 Scattered ruins |
Some more
We drove along A14 road further and next destination was Giant Tank-Yoda Wewa. This is a famous place for bird watching.
 Giant tank-Yoda Wewa. Built by King Dathusena (459-477) by damming Malwathu Oya. This tank has a canal getting water from Malwathu Oya |
 Little Cormorant |
 Asian Openbill |
 Cotton Pygmy-goose ? |
Overspill of Giant Tank
Then we came to Murunkan and drove to Silawatturai junction. Arippu fort is situated about 5km north from this junction. Road condition was good till Silawatturai but it is under construction from Silawatturai.
Arippu fort was the house of first British Governor Sir Fredric North. This house had four small bed rooms and a dining room at down stairs. Master bed room was at up stair. This house was planned governor himself and built in 1804. The original construction had four Doric columns, that’s why it is called Doric Bungalow.
Initial building was situated about 1km away from the sea. It is under the threat of sea erosion.
 At Silawatturai Junction |
 Remaining of Arippu fort |
 How it has gone to the sea |
 Closer view |
 White bellied Sea Eagle |
 This tower is situated about 100m away from Doric Bungalow |
We came back to Murunkan junction and went along A14 road till we come across Madu junction. The road to Madu church was in good condition and the distance was 10kms from there.
 Entrance to Madu church |
 The shrine of our lady of Madu |
 Inside of the church |
 . |
It ended our short visit to Mannar and we followed the same route to come back home.
Thanks for reading.