Jaffna’s Temples and Living Festivals

Jaffna’s temples are more than places of worship; they are cultural landmarks. Towering gopurams

and carved stone walls reflect centuries of South Indian Hindu influence. Festivals transform

towns into vibrant centers of devotion. Streets fill with music, chanting,

and colorful processions, linking past traditions with present life. Devotees fast, pray,

and join rituals passed down through generations, blending faith with communal identity.

The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is the most famous, drawing thousands for its annual festival,

with chariots, music, and ceremonies that reinforce collective memory.

Other important temples like Kadurugoda Viharaya and Thissa Viharaya serve as spiritual anchors