Mannar

WHAT

It is the main town in Mannar District. Formerly it was called Mathota, Manthei and Mawatuthota. According to the landmarks, it experienced the impact of the Portuguese and the Dutch. The most significant places and things worth seeing are Mannar Fort, Baobab Trees, Urumale Beach, Thiruketheeswaram Kovil, the bird sanctuary at the sides of Venkalai Bridge, Mannar Adam’s Bridge, Madhu Shrine, Dancing Islands Mannar, Mannar Fort, Palk Strait, Pomparippu Burial site, Mahathiththa Port, Mathota Raja Maha Viharaya. Historical data of Mannar go back to the period between the 5th century BC and the 13th century AD, when Mannar was a part of Rajarata. Hinduism and Buddhism influenced the culture and methods of ruling. Since the ancient time, Mannar has been very prominent because it is near India, because of pearl fishing and the Port of Mahathiththa. South Indian invaders and the Europeans, especially the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, posed the major threat to the town. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (L.T.T.E.) took control over Mannar for some years, but it regained its freedom in 2008 with the help of the Sri Lankan military.