Okay, let’s pick up where we left off – Jaffna! 😃😍
Following my solo excursion to Jaffna Fort, I rendezvoused with my brother at the Jaffna Public Library to explore the area. Conveniently situated on the same road is the Thanthai Chelva Memorial, which houses the library as well—just a few meters apart, in fact.
Thanthai Chelva – S J V Chelvanayagam – is known as the father of the Tamil people, and he was the man who was respeonsible for spearheading the Vaddukoddai Resolution; and he started advocating a separate Tamil state, which was ratified with the Vaddukoddai Resolution.
The Jaffna Public Library stands as an iconic landmark, once hailed as the largest library in all of South Asia until the tragic events of 1983. During this time, the library fell victim to a devastating fire deliberately set by state-sponsored Sinhalese mobs. The blaze consumed over 95,000 invaluable Tamil palm leaves, manuscripts, and books, leaving an indelible scar on the Tamil community. Even today, the burning of the library remains an unforgivable incident, often overlooked and ignored, yet deeply impactful.
Adding to this sorrowful history, in 2010, the library faced another act of vandalism by a group of Sinhalese tourists attempting to gain unauthorized access while the library was closed. These events underscore the need to prevent such tragedies from recurring, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring the safety of historical treasures like the Jaffna Public Library.
While the literature collection at the library today might not be as extensive, stepping inside still evoked a profound sense of reverence. It held a special significance, particularly as we had attempted to visit back in 2003, only to find it closed at that time. The opportunity to finally step foot inside this storied institution felt incredibly meaningful and poignant.
Afterwards, we took an auto/tuk-tuk to see some other places in Jaffna; Including Nallur (of course), Sankiliyan Thoppu (which is under reconstruction right now), Sankiliyan’s minister’s home, Jamuna Eri, Ariyakulam.
Following our visit to the library, we hopped into an auto/tuk-tuk to explore more of Jaffna’s wonders. Our itinerary included must-visit spots like Nallur, currently a sight to behold and seemingly a thousand times more stunning than my memory from 2003. The divine aura surrounding the temple was truly palpable, filling the air with a sense of spirituality and reverence 🙏🏽
Additionally, we toured Sankiliyan Thoppu, currently undergoing reconstruction, alongside Sankiliyan’s minister’s home, Jamuna Eri, and Ariyakulam. Each destination added its own unique flavor to our Jaffna exploration.
The supposed ruins of King Cankilian’s minister’s home offer an intriguing sight. The eerie atmosphere surrounding this place is truly unique and gives off a rather spooky vibe 😅 Despite the building’s association with King Canilian II’s era, the inscriptions tell a different tale, sparking curiosity and a need for thorough research 😆
The mention of Ambalavana Sinivasa Tambiapilly in the inscriptions raises questions – just who is this mysterious figure? 🤔
And of course the 3 important statues of the most important tamil kings of Jaffna – Ellalan, Bandara Vanniyan, and Pararasasekaran.
