Mannar Improving Competitiveness in Tourism
Mannar Island, 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 str
ip 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. Mannar Island has been known historically by names of “Manthei”, “Mathota”, “Mahathiththa”, “Mahaputu” “Mawatuthota”. A trip to Mannar means you see many beautiful and interesting places along the way. Wilpattu national park, the Yodhawewa tank and the bird sanctuary with its many migratory birds, the Thiruketheeswaram Kovil with its tall Vel carts, the old Mannar fort, untouched beaches and the sacred Madhu shrine where many people come to worship their beloved Lady of Madhu. Mannar is known for its baobab trees and for Allirani fort, built by the Portuguese in 1560 and taken by the Dutch in 1658 and rebuilt; its ramparts and bastions are intact, though the interior is largely destroyed. Formerly the town was renowned as a center of pearl fishing. All these places and beautiful beaches combined with shopping in Mannar town make the visit an unforgettable experience.
