Nagadeepa, Nagavihara, Nainativu

The names Nakadive and the Naga-Vihara mentioned in many ancient texts. Legend holds that The Buddha visited Nagadeepa. The ancient reference seems to be for the whole of the Jaffna Peninsula, while a Vihara and a city center existed. Modern Nagadeep is in the island of Nainativu whose direction is indicated.

The name "Nagadeepa" may have applied to the whole Jaffna peninsula in antiqity.

"It is interesting to note that the earliest Tamil inscription discovered in the Jaffna District is by a Sinhala king, namely Parakramabahu I(1153-1186) who ruled at Polonnaruwa. This inscription was found at the entrance to the famous Nakapusani-Amman Temple in the small island now know as Nainativu or Nagadipa; and it contains certain trade regulations concerning wreckages off the port of Uratturai i.e. present day Kayts (UCR. Vol.XXI, pp.63-70). In the words of Dr. Karthigesu Indrapala, the editor of this inscription and the Professor of History of the University of Jaffna, 'the fact that this edict was issued not by any subordinate official, but by the king himself shows that the monarch was in supreme control of the northern most region of the island (UCR.Vo.XXI,p.66)."