Puliyanthivu is pleasantly relaxed, and colonial edifices like St Michael’s College and the sturdy 1838 Methodist Church are understated and charming. Of the dozens of churches, the most eye-catching are the vaguely Mexican, earth-toned St Anthony’s and the grand, turquoise St Mary’s Cathedral , which was rebuilt in 1994 following its partial destruction during fighting between Tamils and Muslims. Of the many Hindu temples, Anipandi Sitivigniswara Alayar is visually the finest, with a magnificent gopuram . Jami-Us-Salem Jummah Masjid is among the town’s prettier mosques.
