Things to do in Batticaloa
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Old Batti
Wandering around Old Batti is particularly atmospheric late at night: cicadas call and water drips, but not a soul stirs on the eerily empty streets. Dim street lamps give lugubrious form to shadows around the various colonial edifices like the pompous sky-blue St Joseph’s Convent (St Mary’s St), St Michael’s College (Central Rd), which is so drenched in vines and creepers that the brickwork is starting to be broken away, and the sturdy 1838 Methodist Church (Post Office Rd). Of the dozens of churches, the most eye-catching is the huge blue, eight-sided, unfinished Our Lady of Sorrows (Trinco Rd), the vaguely Mexican, earth-toned St Anthony’s (St Anthony’s St) and the…
reviewed
-
A
Dutch Fort
The 6m-thick walls of Batti’s Dutch fort surround the rambling kachcheri (administrative office). The fort itself contains government offices and isn’t very interesting, but the stroll along the eastern fringe between the walls and the water is nice. By the eastern entrance gate you’ll find a couple of old canons guarding the District Secretariat Office, while inside, on the 1st floor of the office opposite the entrance gate, is a stone slab engraved with a 1707 VOC inscription; it was recently removed from the fort walls and now balances precariously on a chair.
reviewed
-
B
RN Buffet & Take Away
This superclean little eatery above a grocery shop offers a six-dish lunch buffet that’s not excessively spiced. Unfortunately, military restrictions in the neighbourhood mean it’s closed in the evenings. The restaurant also does a mean line in savoury pastries and cold drinks. It’s run by a delightful English-speaking couple who get their inspiration from a Delia Smith recipe book!
reviewed
-
C
Tiruchendur Murugan Alayam Temple
Built in 1984 as a stopping point on the Pada Yatra pilgrimage to Kataragama, its Murugan image is said to have opened its own eyes before the painter could do the job. The structure was slammed by the tsunami, leaving its small gopuram leaning at an alarming angle. Its colourful leaning tower sits near the beach between Third and Fourth Cross Sts.
reviewed
-
D
Lakshmi Diner
There’s no English sign, but this place, facing a scout statue, is easy to spot. Flies and rubbish-laden floors are off-putting, but the eat-with-your-fingers vegetarian curries are cheap and excellent.
reviewed
-
E
St Mary’s Cathedral
The grand, turquoise St Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most eye-catching churches. St Mary’s was rebuilt in 1994 following its partial destruction during fighting between local Tamils and Muslims.
reviewed
-
F
Riviera Resort
This guest house has a place to eat that serves fair local, Chinese and occasional Western options. There’s also a decent little bar. You need to allow at least an hour’s preparation time.
reviewed
-
G
Anipandi Sitivigniswara Alayar
Of the many Hindu temples, Anipandi Sitivigniswara Alayar is visually the finest, with a magnificent gopuram that’s decorated with a riotous festival of intertwined god figures.
reviewed
-
H
Aadavan Suvaiuzthu
Tickle those taste buds with something sweet at this pleasant snack bar and bakery decked out in bright colours.
reviewed
-
I
Our Lady of Sorrows
Of the dozens of churches, the most eye-catching is the huge blue, eight-sided, unfinished Our Lady of Sorrows.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
St Sebastian’s Church
Beside Kallady Bridge is the fairly modern St Sebastian’s Church, built in the shape of a whale.
reviewed
-
K
St Anthony’s
The vaguely Mexican, earth-toned St Anthony’s is one of the most eye-catching churches.
reviewed
-
L
Cargills Food City
For self-caterers, this branch of the excellent Cargills Food City is on Munai Rd.
reviewed
-
M
Auliya Mosque
The tiny Auliya Mosque has curious green minaret.
reviewed