Hindu devotees join festival at Sri Lankan temple to worship Tamil God

Colombo, Jul 29 (efe_epa). —  Hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered at Colombo’s Sivasubramania Swami temple on Thursday for an annual festival held to worship the Lord Murugan.

Crowds of predominantly ethnic minority Tamil worshipers flock to the temple built in honor of Murugan, or Kataragama as the deity is better known in Sri Lanka, to take part in the socalled Ther, or chariot, festival each year.

During the event, a large and intricately crafted statue of Murugan was carried on the shoulders of devotees and hoisted onto a golden chariot outside the temple before being marched through the streets, an epa journalist reports.

The statue was scattered with petals, while offerings, such as coconuts washed in turmeric or saffroninfused water, were made.

The celebrations also saw traditional dancers and musicians perform in honor of the Hindu god, who is often referred to as ‘Tamil Kadavul’ (Tamil God).

During the festival, devotees traditionally pray for blessings of rain to boost local crop cultivation.