Nainativu, Nagadeepa Island.

Nagadeepa Purana Vihara (නාගදීප පුරාණ විහාරය)

Lot of Buddhist used to visit here to worship Lord Buddha in Nagadeepa Purana Vihara while tourists too visit this Island too to view the beauty of this Island. Nagadeepa Purana Vihara is located in the Nagadeepa Island (Nainativu in Tamil) near to the Nagapoosani Amman temple. To visit here you have to travel by bus or vehicle and then by boat or ferry. There is no road connection to this Island from the Jaffna Main land. This dry and hot Island used to get very little rain fall and the water for the usage of the people living here in the island is bought daily by the Naval Ships. That is because the water in the island seems to be with salty taste. Lot of people live in this Island and 1 or 2 SLTB busses too are running to serve the local people.

In May 2026 a Buddha Statue was opend here for the worshippers. In stands tall with the height 88 feet in this Island.

How to reach Nagadeepa Island?

If you are starting your journey from Colombo take the Colombo Jaffna train and reach the Jaffna Railway station. Alternatively you can get SLTB or Private Luxury busses too. Buddhist pilgrims can stay at the Pilgrims Rest located near to the Jaffna station that is run by the Jaffna Nagadeepa Vihara. Also you can travel by private vans to Nagadeepa. First of all you have to reach Jaffna town and can rest. On the other day you can start your journey from Jaffna early morning. By evening you can come back to Jaffna town. You can start your journey in the night time from Jaffna back to Colombo.

Early morning catch the "Kurikattuvan Jetty" bus from the Jaffna bus stand. There are private and SLTB busses too are available.
The bus will stop at the Kurikattuvan Jetty after traveling around one hour through villages and roads penetrating the sea.
Walk to the Boat / Ferry ticket selling office on the Jetty. (If you are lucky you can get the ferry as it is not a regular one.)
At the Jetty Navy personal will assist you to get in to the Boat or large ferry.
It is compulsory to wear Life Jacket before boarding the boat.
Each passenger must pay the one way ticket fare Rs 80/- inside the boat to the conductor.
There are private Taxi boat services too available, which is expensive.

Nainativu Boat Service Timing.

Kurikadduvan to Nainativu, first boat service will leave at 07:30 am every day.
Last Boat service will leave Kurikadduvan Jetty at 05:30 pm
Nainativu - Kurikadduvan, first Boat service leaves at 06:30 am.
Last Boat Service leaves at 05:00 pm on both sides.
2025 Kurikadduvan - Nainativu - Nagdeepa boat service revised ticket price: Rs 80/- (One way)

Nainativu Nagapoosani Amman Temple is another popular destination in this Nagadeepa Island where thousands of pilgrims used to come for worshipping.
You must return back from the island by 2:00 pm as there will be not much public boat service from the island will not be available. Otherwise you have to pay extra payment for a private boat for the return journey. Normally every one hour, there is a boat service from both sides. On festival days there used to be many boat service from both sides.

Saturdays, Sundays and on Poya Days lot of Sinhala Buddhist pilgrims used to come over here for worshipping.
Also during the school holidays lot of people come here for worshipping the Lord Buddha.
During the Nagapoosani Amman Temple annual festival season there used to be a big crowed used to come over here to worship the Hindu Goddesses.

Take enough drinking water. (In addition local shops are selling mineral water ad soft drinks bottles in the Island)
White dresses and cap and umbrella are necessary as hot sun will be there on day time.

Local Boat service between this Island, other Islands and the main land will be interrupted underthe following conditions.
1. During Heavy Winds.
2. Heavy rains too can lead to boat service cancellation.
3. Unexpected events too can cause cancellation of regular boat service

Nainativu Video.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMLgCutCgtY

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