Annual festival of the historic Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil was held in Jaffna for the 24th day with the special festival being celebrated today.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil was founded in 948 AD. It was developed in 13th century b Buvanega Bahu, Minister of King Chepaga Perumal who ruled Jaffna Kingdom at that time.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is one of the most significant Hindu temples in Sri Lanka.  Its history goes back to several centuries. The temple has the main entrance facing the East. It has an ornately carved five-storied tower or Gopuram in the Dravidian architecture style at the main entrance. In the Northern side big holy garden is located.

The newly built nine-storied Gopuram named ‘Shanmuha Raja Gopuram’ at Southern entrance was unveiled (the Kalas Abhishekam held) on 21st August 2011.

Another newly built Gopuram named Kubera Raja Gopuram at Northern side was unveiled (the Kalas Abhishekam held) on 04th September 2015.

. The importance given to the festival is so unique that it gives the feeling of a national festival for the Tamils living in the North. The festival goes on for 25 days and each day has its own significance. Nallur annual festival is well known for its religious rituals and the way these are done to utmost perfection keeping to a strict time schedule.

Religious Festival ‘Kandha Sashti Viratham’ is an important observance dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is observed in the Month of October (Tamil month of ‘Aippasi’) for six days. On the sixth day, (during the star ‘Sashti’) Lord Subramanyar or Murugan defeated the demon Soorapadman. This also celebrated in Nallur Kanthaswamy Temple in a grand scale. ‘Thai Poosam’ in the month of January, ‘Karthigai Theepam’ in November and several other religious festivals also observed here.

District: Jaffna

Divisional Secretariat division: Nallur

Local Authority: Jaffna Municipal Council

Location: 3km away from Jaffna town, along Jaffna – Point Pedro (AB20) road

Opening Hours of the main entrance of the Kovil:
Early morning: 4.00am to 5.30am.
Morning: 7.30am to 12.30 pm.
Evening: 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
During Fridays: Early morning 4.00am to evening 6.00pm.

Pooja held six times in a day. Hours of Pooja:
Early morning 4.30am, Morning 5.00am, Morning 10.00am, Noon 12.00, Evening 4.00pm, Evening 5.00pm and Evening 5.45pm.

For more information: visit http://www.nalluran.com