The annual festival at the sacred Nallur 'Sri Kandaswamy' Hindu Kovil will be commenced tomorrow.

The festival honoring the Hindu God Skanda will continue for 27 days until the 30th of this month. The festival includes chariot processions, drumming, dancing and acts of self-mortification, according to the organizers of the festival.

This is the third festival to be held following the defeat of terrorist LTTE in May 2009.
This colourful festival of Hindus at this historic sacred place dates back over 900 years. The temple that stood in Nallur in the 16th century was destroyed by the Portuguese. The festival at the present temple location dates back to the late 18th century, when the temple was rebuilt again.

The historic festival generally draws devotees from around the island as well as overseas and the organizers this time are expecting thousands of devotees to flock to the temple during the festival.