⛩️ Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya, located in Nainativu, Jaffna, is a sacred Buddhist temple. According to legend, Lord Buddha visited this place to resolve a dispute between two Naga Kings over a gem throne. The story is beautifully depicted through paintings on the walls of the Buddha Shrine. 🌳 One unique feature of this temple is the white bo tree, adding to the spiritual ambiance. As you enter, you'll also be greeted by a stunning water fountain. Inside the temple area, there's a museum housing numerous historical artifacts of great value. ⛴️ To reach Nagadeepa, you'll need to take a ferry from Kurikadduwan jetty. The boat ride from the mainland to the island takes around 20 minutes. The ferry operates hourly, starting from 7:30 am, with the last one at 8:30 am. 🚢 Since it's a public transport service, comfort may be limited, but the fare is affordable, ranging from around 60-100 units of currency. Life jackets are provided for safety, so please remember to wear them. It's advisable to arrive early to avoid being exposed to the sun for too long. 🚮 Please remember to take back whatever you bring with you. Let's keep the environment clean and preserve the sanctity of Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya. 👍 If you found this review helpful, please mark it as such to encourage more elaborate reviews that help others discover and appreciate places like Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya! ✅

Nagadeepa is considered as one of the most sacred places of the Buddhists. Apart from the historical story let me give you some travel tips... (01) You should come to the Kurikaadduwan Jetty, Sri Lanka as the first step to take a boat to the Island Nagadeepa, Sri Lanka. (02) If you are starting from Jaffna, I may recommend you to have a motor bike ride - from Jaffna to the Kurikaadduwan. Because, if you are a real explorer and travelholic; you could explore unlimited experiences over the road Jaffna to Kurikaadduwan. But, if you are unable to acquire a motorbike - you can go by bus. There is private and government bus transportation services available from Jaffna to Kurikaadduwan Jetty which is starting from around 6.00 am in the morning from Main Bus Terminal, Jaffna. (03) Start your journey as early as possible in the day. Because, it will take time around 1 to 2 hours to reach Kurikaadduwan Jetty from Jaffna. (04) Have something to eat, and have adequate water to dring during the journey. Don't expect to buy those on the way after leaving Jaffna. Because, Kurikaadduwan is sort of rural area far away from any town. (05) When you reach Kurikaadduwan Jetty, if you come by a private vehicle; you could park it safely close to the Kurikaadduwan Police Station. If you come by public transport; nothing to worry - your bus stops almost on the Jetty. (06) There are public and private boat services available from Kurikaadduwan Jetty. Public boat service is rotating shifts around 1hour cycles and the cost is really affordable - up and down cost between Kurikaadduwan and Nagadeepa is around 100 LKR per head as of December, 2021. If you hire a private boat you can travel at anytime; up and down cost per boat between Kurikaadduwan and Nagadeepa is around 5,000 to 6,000 LKR as of December, 2021. (07) From the Kurikaadduwan Jetty you will have a 30minutes boat ride - if you hire a private boat; or else 45minutes boat ride - if you travel through public boat services to Nagadeepa Jetty. Nagadeepa Jetty is a private jetty which administered by the Sri Lankan Navy Forces located on Nainathivu Island. The boats are simple transportation boats. Non of the meal or any other services provided. MAKE SURE YOU WILL WEAR A LIFE - SAVING JACKET WHATEVER THE BOAT YOU ARE ON. (08) The timings of the boat something you should really consider. The last boat on public boat services is leaving from Nagadeepa Jetty around 4.30 pm. If you travel through public boat services make sure about your time planning. Contact the local service provider and ensure the return boats timeline and be there on Nagadeepa Jetty at time. In case you missed the last boat, you simply walk to the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil Jetty. You can hire a private boat from the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil Jetty. Oneway trip to Nagapooshani Amman Kovil Jetty to the Kurikaadduwan Jetty is around 2,500 to 3,000 LKR as of December, 2021. If you hired a private boat, it will be parked on the same Nagapooshani Amman Kovil Jetty for you to have the return trip. (09) If you start Journey from Nagadeepa Jetty, simply you could access to Nagadeepa Buddhist Centre, Sri Lanka. After exploring all, just have a 15 minute walk to the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil there. That is also another wonderful travel destination in the same Nainathivu Island. (10) TRAVEL SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A MASK. USE ALCOHOL SANITIZERS AS FREQUENT AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU ARE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

This is one of the most valuable historical place for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Lord Buddha had visited this place for the second time to settle a fight which was about to happen between two Naga Kings. The story is nicely drawn beautifully inside the main shrine room Of the temple. Normal Boat ride took about 10-15 min and was much crowded.

The Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya in Sri Lanka is a peaceful Buddhist temple known for its spiritual importance. Located on Nagadeepa Island, it offers a calm and quiet place for people to find peace and connect with their spirituality. The temple has beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it perfect for meditation and reflection. With its rich history and stunning natural surroundings, the Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya is a must-visit place for those seeking a serene and spiritual experience.

The place is famous as it is ancient and historical valuable buddhist temple in jaffna. Now it is modified and easily can visit there. From jaffna town center it is just only 1h 20min ride by bus. And after you can travel there by public transport boat around 15 min. As it is public transporta boat they charge only Rs. 80 (11.11.2022). There is a superb view arround the temple and also arround all the area.

Nagadeepa Purana Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in the Jaffna district of Northern Province, Sri Lanka.

One of our long awaited trips. You can drive all the way up to Kurrikaduwan Jetty and take a boat from there to the Nagadeepa island. You can park your vehicle near the police station or at the jetty closer to the place you get into the boat. Boat was departing every hour from the jetty and the return was the same. Boat ride is not that comfortable as it’s most crowded and it lacks ventilation. Best is to try and travel during morning or the evening as it gets very hot during the day. The place is very well maintained and Sri Lanka Navy is doing lot of work to keep it up to the standard. This is believed to be one of the few places in Sri Lanka which Lord Buddha visited.

Nagadeepa is located in nainathive island. You have to travel by boat to get to the island and it will be a fantastic experience. Everyone who visit jaffna should visit this place because this is the one of three places that load buddha had visited in sri lanka. This place architect also merged with Tamils culture and it worth to study. Some peaceful and spiritual place in northern Sri Lanka.

🙏 A really amazing experience to come and visit this sacred and holy island! I came with a friend and we both really enjoyed, go to the Kurikadduwan port. It is a stunning drive where you can witness the raw beauty of Jaffna. The first boat leaves at 8am and they run every 20 minutes. I believe the price is 200rs (one way). (23/08/23) 🐍 Is it known as Nagadeepa in Sinhala and Nainativu in Tamil. The name can represent 'naga/snake people' as an indigenous tribe used to inhibit the island, they lived in the North of Sri Lanka and the South of India, it is said they were mythical humans who could take the form and shape of snakes. ☸️ It could be said that the temple here is the most important Buddhist site in the North region of Sri Lanka because it is one of the Solosmasthana's (16 sacred sites in Sri Lanka that were said to have been visited by Lord Buddha, he visited Sri Lanka on three occasions, the visit to this island was on his second visit - 5 years after enlightenment.) This makes it an incredible pilgrimage site for Buddhists and is famous for the large snake statue. 👑 Lord Buddha came here to settle a dispute between two Naga kings who were arguing over a precious throne. He taught that violence is not the answer and brought peace to the situation here. After the dispute was settled, the kings offered this throne to Buddha, he said to keep the throne as a relic for the temple/island. 🌴 On his journey from India to Sri Lanka, a deity who had used a baynan tree as their home came and accompanied Buddha. He uprooted the tree and carried it as a parasol/umbrella to shade Buddha from the sun. This tree was later planted on the island and I believe an off cutting from said tree is the one we see today, it is truly beautiful! ☮️ The whole area is incredibly peaceful and really stands out in my travels through Sri Lanka, to visit a country with such rich and deep history is really a blessing and I'm very grateful to have visited this site. The complex is quite big and you can take your time walking around, I would recommend bringing socks as the sun makes the sand very hot! Enjoy, much love, Ayubowan :)❤️🙏

Nagadeepaya situated in an island of northern province. You have to visit this pllace by a boat which takes 15 minutes from the Kurikattuwan Jetty. It is cost 40 rupees per person. It is called most highest place of buddhist in Sri Lanka. According to the history the Gauthama Buddha had visited this place to settle the dispute between two naga kings Chulodara and Mahodara. Inside the temples there are many beautiful places to see. There is a newly built Budda Mandiraya and you can also visit an ancient museum. 18/12/2022

Nagadeepa is an island of sri lanka in north. A buddist cultural archeological site. Once loard budda come to settle a battle between two naga kings. නාගදීප පුරාණ විහාරය, Tamil: நயினாதீவு நாக விகாரை) is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Jaffna district of Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is among the country's sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines (Solosmasthana). According to contemporary history, the Gautama Buddha visited the site after five years of attaining Enlightenment to settle the dispute between two warring Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara. Ancient history according to the Mahavamsa chronicles and the Tamil Buddhist epic Manimekalai mentions a gem-studded throne and a stone with the Buddha’s footprint at the island Nainativu, (also known as Nagadeepa) which pilgrims from India visited. The site is known as the place where Lord Buddha came during his second visit to Sri Lanka, after five years of attaining Enlightenment, to intervene and mediate in settling a dispute between two Naga Kings, Chulodara and Mahodara over the possession of a gem-studded throne. When Buddha arrived and saw the Naga Kings prepared for fighting, Budhha used psychic powers to appear in the sky performing miracles. This made the Nagas astonished and happy. After having listened to the Dhamma sermons displaying Buddha's masterly knowledge of unity and harmony, meththa and compassion, the Naga kings paid homage to Budhha with overwhelming faith. The throne was offered to him in unison and they became pious devotees. A deity named Samiddhi Sumana, who had made the banyan tree his abode, accompanied him to Thathagatha while in Jetavanarama, holding the uprooted tree (Rajayathana tree) as an umbrella (parasol) to him. The Naga King Maniakkitha, ruler of Kelaniya, moved by the compassion of the Buddha, thanked him profusely for settling the dispute. He further pleaded for a souvenir to worship and consequently the Buddha offered him the Rajayathana tree and the throne. The Nagadeepa Vihara has been reconstructed, and developed in the times of king Devanampiya Tissa and Dutugemunu and to convert it into a sacred place.

When I got to the temple, the policemen at the entrance asked me what country I was from and then told me that I had to pay almost 2,000 rupees to visit the temple. Local people do not pay admission. The temple and the surrounding views are beautiful. Everything very clean and well cared for. There are public baths only for the use of foreigners.

A buddhist religious place. People from all around the country come to worship this place. Nagadeepaya is only accessible by ferry (either from the Punkudutivu Navy Pier or the Punkuditivu Normal Pier). Nagadeepaya is considered to be a place where Lord Buddha visited.

Nagadeepa ancient Buddhist temple is situated in Nainativu Island, Jaffna district, Northern province. It is among the country's sixteen holiest Buddhist shrine. (සොලොස්මස්ථාන /solosmasthana). According to the history, gauthama buddha visited this place during his second visit of Sri Lanka after five years of his enlightenment. Gauthama Buddha visited this place to settle the war between two naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara. According to the history king Chulodara married King Mahodara's daughter. King Mahodara gave a gem studded throne (manimekalai) to King Chulodara as a wedding gift. But unfortunately daughter of king Mahodara died after few years of her wedding. After her death her father believed king Chulodara make necessary arrangements to return the wedding gift. But king Chulodara never return this gem studded throne . So that is the reason to start the war between these two kings. According to the "mahawansa" this manimekalai and stone with the Lord Buddha's foot print at the Nainativu Island. Nagadeepa Viharaya has been reconstructed by King Dewanapiyatissa and King Dutugamunu.

A buddhist temple situated in nainativu in Jaffna. The only way you can get here is throught the ferry line in kurikadduwan jetty. Its about a 20 min ride on the boat from the mainland to the island. There are boats every hour and the first one is at 7.30 am followed by one at 8.30am. Its better to get there early to avoid getting roasted in the sun. The boat ride is a public transport service so no comfort. Lot of crowds gather to reach the other end of the island. The buddhist temple is a silent place. Good for worship. Special in poya days.

The Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya in Sri Lanka is a peaceful Buddhist temple known for its spiritual importance. Located on Nagadeepa Island, it offers a calm and quiet place for people to find peace and connect with their spirituality. The temple has beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it perfect for meditation and reflection. With its rich history and stunning natural surroundings, the Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya is a must-visit place for those seeking a serene and spiritual experience.

Sacred place for Buddhists. Lord Buddha visited the place to settle a fight between two Naga Kings over who gets a gem throne. The story is depicted in paintings on the walls of the Buddha Shrine. Can be reached by boat from Kurikaduwan Jetty. Boat takes around 15 minutes and will usually charge Rs 60 per person/one way. The last boat will leave Kurikaduwan at 4pm and the last boat to return back from Nagadeepa to Kurikaduwan is at 5pm. Always check these times with the Navy officers. A personal boat could also be hired which would cost about Rs 3000+.

This is one of the sacred temples in the country. It is believed that Lord Buddha visited Nagadeepa during his 2nd visit to the island. There are pictures and murals at the temple which depict its long lasting history. To reach Nagadeepa temple, you have to take the boat from Kurikaadduwan Jetty and get down at Nainathivu Jetty.

Buddhist devotees come to worship Nagadeepa Temple. There's an ancient historical story behind this. Situated in Ninativu Island, Jaffna. You have to take a boat ride to visit this island from Kurikaadduwan Jetty. Better to take a private boat since public boats are fully crowded. It costs somewhat expensive but you can enjoy the boat ride to the fullest. Usually it takes less than 30 minutes to reach. Recently visited in 2017 September. Now it has almost developed. You can buy several food items bound with Jaffna culture and several ornaments, fancy items like things too.

A beautiful temple with a beautiful history. There’s a white Bo tree in the temple. And the dagaba is a silver one. A must watch place in Jaffna.

Historical Buddha temple. From Jaffna you have to reach the jetty by Kurikatwan bus and from there you have to go to Nainadivu by ferry. It is crowded during the holidays. You can hire a private boat on those days.

Must visit place for Buddhists in Jaffna. But the ferry service needs to be improved.

Nagadeepa is a sacred place for buddhists. It is considered that loard buddha visited Sri Lanka for the second time to here. Naga is derived from Naka which means sailor. So this may have been an island of sailors during ancient times..

You need to visit this place via a boat ride. This is the place where Lord Budda arrived Sri Lanka arrived for the second time. Some constructions have been made since the past and at present also, new statues and halls are under construction. There is a museum inside the temple area. I highly recommend you to visit this museum as it consists of a lot of old things which has a historical value like, ornaments, old vehicles etc... At the entrance, you can witness a beautiful water fountain as well. Another unique feature is a white bo tree in this place.

Nagadeepaya or Naintivu is a very religious place among Buddhists of all Over in world. Itn is about 37 km away from Jaffna. It will be a very good chance to travel in boat to see the temple. Very beautiful pleasant place to visit. Worth to visit there

All should visit this temple, the Nagadeepa kovil situated about 500m away from the temple on foot You have to take a ferry Boat to the island from Kurikadduwan jettty. There are public transport and Private. If you want to hire a private ferry, ask from Navy officers.

This is located about 30km towards the Kaytes island from the Jaffna town. This temple is one of the three places in Sri Lanka where lord Buddha has visited .“Purana Vihara” was constructed by the two warring naga kings ,Mahodara and his nephew Chullodara, at the site where lord Buddha during his second visit to Sri Lanka. Lord Buddha has mediated in setting a dispute over the possession of a gem-studded throne. This precious throne who was offered to the Buddha, was returned by him to the naga kings and was later enshrined in stupa located next to the temple. Many objects of historical significance have been found around the area. The beautiful “Naga Vihara” is also situated in the heart of the city. It is famous religious place of visit to Buddhist visiting “Nagadeepa raja maha vihara” is another unforgettable experience one could ever have.

Nagadeepa is another prime place to visit in Jaffna. The temple was located in island and to go there you need to come to the point in kurikattuwan. From kurikattuwan (Bus service from Jaffna town take 1 hour and 30 mins)you need to travel from boat about 20 mins ride. The condition of the boats are not much comfortable . Most of the architects in the temple seem to create recently and. Relaxed place surrounded by the sea.

One of the most ancient Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. 1 and 1/2 hour bus ride from Jaffna bus stand (Kurikadduwan - Jaffna bus) and about 20 min ferry ride from the Kurikadduwan jetty. There is a museum in the temple premises as well. You have to go to Nainativu North jetty to take the return ferry to Kurikadduwan jetty. It is about 15 min walk from the temple and close to Nainativu Naagapooshani Amman Kovil. There are buses in Kurikadduwan jetty for you to return to Jaffna