Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya stands on the island of Nainativu, reached by a short ferry from Kurikadduwan jetty, roughly 30 km from Jaffna town. It is counted among the Solosmasthana, Sri Lanka's sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines: tradition holds that the Buddha made his second visit to the island here, five years after enlightenment, settling a dispute between two Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara, over a gem-studded throne.
The chronicles credit kings Devanampiya Tissa and Dutugemunu with developing the vihara, and in 2011 a gold-and-silver-plated replica throne was installed. Pilgrims usually pair the temple with the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil a short walk away — two faiths sharing one small, sacred island.
Good to know
- Boats from Kurikadduwan (KKD) run roughly every half hour through the day
- The calm crossing over Palk Bay is part of the experience
- Combine with Nagapooshani Amman Kovil on the same island visit
- Modest dress for temple grounds; allow a half day from Jaffna