Deepavali celebrated in Jaffna on a grand scale

Poojas (offerings) to mark the Deepavali (Festival of Lights) were made by thousands of devotees in a number of Jaffna-based Hindu kovils (temples) on Deepavali Day, giving pride of place to the God Vishnu who occupies an important place in the ancient Hindu pantheon.

Temple bells heralded the dawn of the holy day as devotees in their hundreds lined up at entrances to the Jaffna Vishnu Kovil, Sri Vengadesa Vartharaja Perumal Kamalampihai Sammedha Kailasanadan Kovil in Vannai and Sri Vardaraja Perumal Kovil in Ponnalai with their offerings where those celebrations were marked on a grand scale.

Women were among the majority who took part in the ceremonies that marked this day of importance. The peaceful milieu that prevails in the peninsula appeared to have contributed to the successful commemoration of this holy day of the Hindus.

Troops and the Security Forces provided all possible assistance to the devotees for their easy movement from early hours of the day.