Mannar

Mannar

Mannar (மன்னார்,මන්නාරම), formerly spelled Manar, is a big town, and It's the main town of Mannar District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. It is located on Mannar Island overlooking the Gulf of Mannar. It is home to the historic Ketheeswaram temple. Mannar is located 325 north of Colombo

Mannar District

Mannar district of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka consists of an area that is part of the mainland and Mannar island, the largest islet in the country. The road to Mannar is through the dry zone region of Sri Lanka. While the landscape in Mannar district varies from wooded jungles to paddy fields and palm trees.

Mannar Island

Mannar Island, a dry, barren peninsula located in the district of Mannar, though called an islet, is in fact a peninsula formed in a shape of a tongue. At Talaimanar, the westernmost tip of the island, it is almost connected to the Dhanuskodi, the easternmost tip of peninsula of Southern India by a reef of corals submerged in the Palk Straits.

Apart from the thin strip of land that joins the peninsula to the mainland, Mannar island is also connected by the causeway over the shallow waters forming a 3 km stretch of A14 Madawachchiya –Talaimannar main road.

The small fishing port of Mannar is located on the southeastern shore. Mannar Island has been known historically by names of “Manthei”, “Mathota”, “Mahathiththa”, “Mahaputu” “Mawatuthota”. Mannar.

Ketheeswaram Temple

Ketheeswaram temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Mannar, Northern Province Sri Lanka. Overlooking the ancient period port towns of Manthai and Kadiramale, the temple has lay in ruins, been restored, renovated and enlarged by various royals and devotees throughout its history. Ketheeswaram is one of five Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva and is venerated by Saivites throughout the continent. Madhu This church is Sri Lanka’s most hallowed Christian shrine. Its walls shelter Our Lady of Madhu, a diminutive but revered Madonna-and-child statue brought here in 1670 by Catholics fleeing Protestant Dutch persecution in Mannar. The statue rapidly developed a reputation for miracles, notably as a protector against snakebites. The church’s spacious grounds attract huge crowds of pilgrims (and superstitious non-Christians) to its 10 annual festivals, especially around 15 August. The church is 12km north of the Vavuniya–Mannar road. Turn at the 47km post, a lonely spot nicknamed Madhu Road.