Prayers held in Keerimalai for the souls of Vanni victims

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 July 2009, 15:42 GMT]
The Federation of Saiva organizations in Jaffna peninsula observed the annual Aadi Amaavaasai Day, the day on which children perform religious rituals to pacify the souls of their late fathers, in Keerimalai Nakuleasvaram temple in Jaffna peninsula Tuesday, in memory of all the people who lost their lives in the war on Vanni Tamils waged by the Sri Lanka government, sources in Jaffna said.

Hundreds of persons including members of the Federation took part in the joint prayers held in Keerimalai Nakuleasvaram, a historically famous Saiva temple now enclosed within one of the High Security Zones (HSZ) of SLA in Jaffna.

Rajaraja Sri K. Nakuleasvara Kurukkal, the chief incumbent of Nakuleasvaram Temple led the prayers accompanied by Maharajaraja Sri T. Shanmuganatha Kurukkal, the chief priest of Maavai Kanthan Temple.

The Federation had earlier extended an appeal to the people of the peninsula to observe the Aadi Amaavaasai Day in prayers for the peace of the souls of Vanni victims killed.

On the darkest night of the month of Aadi (July - August) called Aadi Amaavaasai a fast is undertaken in remembrance of departed fathers.