Nalloor Kanthasuvaami temple annual festival begins

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 August 2010, 06:06 GMT]
The annual festival of the historic Nalloor Kanthasuvaami temple in Jaffna will begin Sunday with the Sacred Festival Flag hoisting ceremony (Kodiyeattam) and will continue until 8 September. An unprecedented number of devotees are expected to attend the festival and transport and other necessary arrangements have been made by Jaffna Municpal Council (JMC) authorities which said that women attending the festivals should wear saree, sources in Jaffna said.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that JMC administration and Sri Lanka minister Douglas Devananda have decided to demolish the historical 'Navalar Ma'ni Ma'ndapam' located in the temple precincts. It is said that the decision has been taken due to the enormous number of devotees expected this season,

Navalar Ma'ni Ma'ndapam had been erected in meomory of Sri Arumuga Navalar who is chiefly remembered for his work to revive Saivaism in Jaffna and South India. He is also considered one of the important pioneers of Tamil revival in the 19th century.

Saiva religious organizations had expressed their strong protest against this decision to demolish the above memorial building in talks held earlier with JMC administration.

The chariot (Thear) festival will be held on September 7 and the Water Cutting (Theerththam) festival on September 8.