Joanna James
Trincomalee is a less visited area on the eastern coast of the country, although the number of visitors is now rapidly on the increase. There's a lot to do in this coastal town.
Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country, where Buddhism is followed by the majority of the people. The northern and eastern parts of the island, however, see a majority of Hindu residents. Therefore, most of the better-known places of worship in Hinduism are to be found in the region. Koneswaram Temple is one such place of worship. The temple is located in a gorgeous natural location, with the Swami rock on one side and the Gokarna bat on the other. It is considered by the devotees as one of the five abodes of Shiva, a "Pancha Idhwarama", and is a place that is held in high religious respect. If there is only one site that you can visit in Trincomalee, you should make it the Koneswaram Temple. Try to visit during one of the poojawas, for the best effect.
Sri Lanka was invaded by many nations in the past, with the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English leaving lasting architectural remains. Just as the southern region has the Galle Fort built by the Dutch, and then taken over by the English, the Eastern coast has Fort Fredrick. It was originally built by the Portuguese, then taken over by the Dutch, and finally the English. Although it is not as large as the Galle Fort, there is a lot of rich history and architecture to observe here. Unlike in Galle, Fort Fredrick is currently being used by the Sri Lankan military. This means you can't wander through it as freely, although several ramparts are open to the public. However, the difference in management implies that you will not have similar luxuries here as you would find in Galle. While the latter functions as a tourist attraction and a commercial hub, the main purpose of Fort Fredrick is military; therefore, be prepared to follow certain regulations.
Although geographically removed from the ongoings of World War II, Sri Lanka was a part of the war effort of the allies due to its status as a colony. While most of the work and destruction did not directly affect the island, it was made the main air and naval base for the allied powers and the British after the Japanese took over Singapore. Thus being involved in the war efforts, Trincomalee has a Cemetery dedicated to British soldiers who perished during World War II. These soldiers represent a number of nationalities including Canada, East Africa, France, India, Myanmar, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is usually a part of Trinco tours organized by Trincomalee hotels. If you stay at Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes, for example, this is a part of the Trinco City Tour alongside Koneswaram Temple, Fort Fredrick, and a few other places of interest, such as Lovers Leap.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
