Nallur Festival

Genuine SriLankans - genuinesrilankans.com

Hundreds of Hindu devotees across Sri Lanka gather around to celebrate the holy Nallur Festival. It is the country's longest festival, lasting 25 days, and is hosted by the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna. It is held to pay homage to God Murugan in the month of August.

The grand festival kicks off with the hoisting of the flag, and continues with various religious ceremonies for the first 10 days. On the 24th day, it marks the end of the celebrations with the 'Ther Festival'. The sacred image of God Murugan is placed on a chariot and paraded around the city, while being accompanied by constant drumming, beautiful dances, and loud chanting.