Matale chariot festival today

The chariot festival of the historic Sri Muththumari Amman temple of Matale will take place today.

Five decorated chariots including the main chariot Gooddess Sri Muththumari Amman will parade the streets of Matale.

The Matale chariot festival is known as a spiritual event of religious, regional and racial integrity.

Todays' festival is unique in several ways as this is the only Hindu festival with five chariots taking place for 24 hours.

The chariots which will begin their parade at 11 a.m. today from the temple premises will return to the temple via Trincomalee Street and King's Street and Kings' Street of Matale around 11 a.m. tomorrow.

As this festival is considered as the first of this nature to taken place since the civil disturbances ended last year, thousands of devotees from various parts of the country including from the North are expected to attend it, the Temple management said.