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Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A square -shaped fortress built by the Portuguese and later taken over by the Dutch and then the British. The fortress displays the ancient development of architecture in Sri Lanka. The fortress lies right at the edge of the part of the District that is adjoined with Sri Lanka. The area is well preserved with a collection of fishery villages. Parking space is less, however the entrance is completely free. You can get a promising view of the Mannar bridge from the remains of the fort, and in the evening, it would be a brilliant location for scenic photography.
Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560 and christened São Jorge. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch.
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Largest tree in Sri Lanka, over 700 years of age and has a circumference of 19.5 meters. This tree was believed to brought to Sri Lanka by Arabian traders. Even though forty baobab trees have been identified in Sri Lanka (35 in Mannar), this tree is believed to be the largest and oldest out of the few. The location of the baobab tree isn't that special, and there is only so little to see there. The tree is surrounded by a few houses and is in the middle of a small dusty field. The tree is mainly used as a backdrop for photographs and it's considered to be customary to snap a photo when visiting the area.
When the Indians arrived at the coastal lines of Sri Lanka in the early centuries, they built many permanent kovils. The Kovil was destroyed many times and reconstructed throughout time. The temple premises are quite expanded and peaceful, although demolition and reconstruction is still happening. It is required that the males take off their shirts/t-shirts when entering, following the removal of footwear. The Temple shows many architectural phenomenons constructed by the Sri Lankan Tamils. The ruins are well preserved and well maintained by the Hindu devotees and locals. Great paintings and statues can be seen all around the temple, including demolished remains of the older buildings.
Secure beach on the coastal line of Mannar, a place to swim, frolic and even enjoy a beach picnic. You can also book hotels close to the beach to enjoy the view and get easy access to the beach itself. The location is scenic and it's best to visit it early in the morning or in the evening for photography or film making.
A tank, adjacent scrubland. A bird watching site, recommended by the Ceylon Birds Club. The best time to visit the tank is during the Northern Migrating season. The artificial reservoir is 3 km north-west of Mannar. It is an excellent location for evening photography as well.
Another place for bird watching. Frequently visited by Greater flamingoes. If you are into bird watching, the best time to visit would have to be the Northern migrant season. Has an amazing setting for evening and morning photography. Vankalai is an Open area with less trees and more water with a road with a double side view of the water bodies, hence It is an easy place to access through a vehicle. The sun normally peaks through and you cannot find much shade in the area so it is advised to bring some eye wear or headwear to protect yourself from the direct sunlight. Bringing along some binoculars will also be greatly beneficial since waders are mostly common in the area and it is unsafe to wander close to the birds as these water bodies are not inspected and are generally considered to be unsafe and unethical. Wearing a pair of shoes will also benefit you and this might even give you a chance to explore some of the more steep and dangerous areas (shrubberies and muddy pits).
A famous donkey clinic that has become a popular tourist attraction. The clinic allows you to interact with the animals with the necessary guidance. The clinic enforces a few health safety guidelines and will not tolerate any animal cruelty in the location. The clinic also sells souvenirs and accessories for the tourists at relatively cheap prices.