Adi Vel along city streets after 16 years
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa
received the colourful Hindu Adi Vel 2010 procession when it
reached Temple Trees along the Galle Road yesterday. This is the
first time since 1994 that the 160-year-old Adi Vel Hindu
religious procession travelled in front of Temple Trees on Galle
Road. President Rajapaksa instructed that the Hindu Adi Vel
procession should be allowed to take its normal route after
terrorism was defeated. Pic: Sudath Silva
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The colourful Adi Vel procession conducted by Hindus, returned to the
streets of Colombo after 16 years. This procession of Lord Muruga
proceeded from Pettah and travelled through York Street, Echelon Square
and Galle Road, stopped to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa in front of
Temple Trees.
The procession was organised by the trustees of the Sri Kathir
Velautha Swami Temple and Manicavinayagar Temple.
The trustees and members of Sri Kathir Valautha Swami Temple and
Manicavinayagar Temple extended an invitation to President Rajapaksa at
Temple Trees to participate in the 2010 Adi Vel Festival.
Chief Trustee A. Manicavasagar handed over the invitation to the
President for the festival. Trustees, R. Sivarama, R. Asokakumar and P.
Sundaralingam were also present.
The 160-year-old Adi Vel festival, which could not be held for the
past sixteen years due to menace of terrorism resumed this year.
The President has extended the fullest cooperation and assured
security for the Adi Vel festival, said Temple Trustee Ashok Kumar. He
added that the Adi Vel procession will travel through many streets of
Colombo starting from Pettah and travel through York Street, Echelon
Square and Galle Road.
Enroute the procession, people without any religious and ethnic
discrimination, participated and expressed their happiness and
veneration to Lord Muruga.
Courtesy: Asian Tribune
The silver chariot |
A devotee walks along with the chariot |
A kavadi dance |
Devotees at Sea Street
Pix: P. Weerasingham |
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