Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple Festival 2026
දිනයන්: 16 August 2026 – 12 September 2026
Festival Commencement
The festival begins with the Vairavar Shanthi ceremony on the sixth day after Aadi Amavasi, marking the sacred start of the celebrations.
Duration & Planning
Spanning nearly a month, all arrangements by the Nallur Temple Authorities සහ Jaffna Municipal Council ensure a safe and smooth festival experience.
Street Accessibility
Streets surrounding the temple will remain closed from mid-2026 until the end of the festival for the smooth movement of devotees. Plan alternate routes.
Vehicle Routes for Kavadi
Enter: via Point Pedro route. Exit: through Chetti Street only. Please follow these routes strictly.
Drone Usage
Strictly prohibited throughout the festival to maintain sanctity and safety.
Temple Entry Policy
All visitors must remove footwear before entering the temple premises as a mark of respect.
This year’s festival continues the sacred legacy of Nallur Kovil. Plan your pilgrimage early for a peaceful and fulfilling spiritual experience.
Nallur Sri Kandaswamy Temple – High Festival Schedule 2026
From 16th August 2026 to 12th September 2026
| දිනය | Day | High Festival | කාලය | Festival Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 2026 | Sunday | Vairavar Shanthi Festival | Evening | - |
| 17 Aug 2026 | Monday | Flag Hoisting Festival | 10:00 a.m. | 01st Day |
| 26 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Mancham Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 10th Day |
| 02 Sep 2026 | Wednesday | Arunikarainathar Festival | 07:00 p.m. | 17th Day |
| 03 Sep 2026 | Thursday | Karthigai Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 18th Day |
| 04 Sep 2026 | Friday | Sooriyotsavam | 06:45 a.m. | 19th Day |
| 05 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Santhanagopalar Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 20th Day |
| 06 Sep 2026 | Sunday | Patti Thiruvila | 04:45 p.m. | 21st Day |
| 07 Sep 2026 | Monday | Kailasavaganam Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 22nd Day |
| 08 Sep 2026 | Tuesday | Kajavalli Mahavalli Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 23rd Day |
| 09 Sep 2026 | Wednesday | Vel Vimanam Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 24th Day |
| 10 Sep 2026 | Thursday | Thendayuthapani Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 25th Day |
| 11 Sep 2026 | Friday | Theertham Festival | 06:45 a.m. | 26th Day |
| 11 Sep 2026 | Friday | Valli Tiruaniyam Kattal | 04:45 p.m. | - |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Poongavanam Festival | 05:30 a.m. | 27th Day |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Vairavar Shanthi Festival | 04:45 p.m. | 27th Day |
16 Aug 2026 • Sunday
Vairavar Shanthi Festival
Evening — –
17 Aug 2026 • Monday
Flag Hoisting Festival
10:00 a.m. — 01st Day
26 Aug 2026 • Wednesday
Mancham Festival
04:45 p.m. — 10th Day
02 Sep 2026 • Wednesday
Arunikarainathar Festival
07:00 p.m. — 17th Day
03 Sep 2026 • Thursday
Karthigai Festival
04:45 p.m. — 18th Day
04 Sep 2026 • Friday
Sooriyotsavam
06:45 a.m. — 19th Day
05 Sep 2026 • Saturday
Santhanagopalar Festival
04:45 p.m. — 20th Day
06 Sep 2026 • Sunday
Patti Thiruvila
04:45 p.m. — 21st Day
07 Sep 2026 • Monday
Kailasavaganam Festival
04:45 p.m. — 22nd Day
08 Sep 2026 • Tuesday
Kajavalli Mahavalli Festival
04:45 p.m. — 23rd Day
09 Sep 2026 • Wednesday
Vel Vimanam Festival
04:45 p.m. — 24th Day
10 Sep 2026 • Thursday
Thendayuthapani Festival
04:45 p.m. — 25th Day
11 Sep 2026 • Friday
Theertham Festival
06:45 a.m. — 26th Day
11 Sep 2026 • Friday
Valli Tiruaniyam Kattal
04:45 p.m. — –
12 Sep 2026 • Saturday
Poongavanam Festival
05:30 a.m. — 27th Day
12 Sep 2026 • Saturday
Vairavar Shanthi Festival
04:45 p.m. — 27th Day
About Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (Nallur Murugan Kovil)
Location: Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil—also known as Nallur Murugan Kovil—is a major Hindu temple central to Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu identity. Dedicated to Lord Muruga (son of Siva), its sacred emblem is the Vel. The temple’s cultural influence has inspired homage temples in Europe and North America with similar names.
In the 10th century, Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi is said to have gifted the temple’s Nallur Devi idol, crafted in celebrated Sembian bronzes. Over centuries—amid invasions and relocations—Nallur has remained a living center of worship, heritage, and community.
Founding & Significance
- Founded in 948 AD on Kurukkal Valavu.
- එම Vel symbolizes Lord Muruga’s divine power.
- Beacon of Sri Lankan Tamil religious and cultural life.
Cultural Reach
- Influenced temples in යුරෝපය සහ උතුරු ඇමෙරිකාව.
- Houses icons tied to Sembian bronze traditions.
- Annual නල්ලූර් උත්සවය draws global devotees.
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 948 AD | Temple founded at Kurukkal Valavu. |
| 10th century | Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi donates the Nallur Devi idol (Sembian bronzes). |
| 13th century | Puvenaya Vaku, minister to King Kalinga Magha, expands the temple (per Yalpana Vaipava Malai). |
| 15th century | Sapumal Kumaraya (Chempaha Perumal) builds/renovates the third temple at Nallur—the Jaffna capital. |
| 1621 | Portuguese demolish the temple; churches later occupy the site. |
| 1734–1749 | Complex reportedly includes an Islamic Sufi saint’s shrine, later moved. |
Video About Nallur Festival
How to Reach Nallur Temple, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
| නගරය | Distance (km) | Estimated Travel Time | Route Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| කොළඹ | 396 km | 6 hours 30 mins | |
| මහනුවර | 315 km | 6 hours | |
| අනුරාධපුර | 196 km | 3 hours 30 mins | |
| ත්රිකුණාමලය | 285 km | 5 hours | |
| ඇල්ල | 402 km | 8 hours | |
| හබරණ | 238 km | 4 hours | |
| සීගිරිය | 251 km | 4 hours 15 mins | |
| මිරිස්ස | 455 km | 8 hours 30 mins | |
| ගාල්ල | 437 km | 8 hours | |
| මීගමුව | 360 km | 6 hours |
Interactive Map
About Jaffna
Jaffna is one of the most stunning towns at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, celebrated for its rich Tamil culture and deep-rooted traditions. Known for the warmth and hospitality of its residents, Jaffna offers visitors a blend of spiritual heritage, coastal beauty, and cultural charm that leaves a lasting impression.
For travelers seeking a destination that combines magnificence with genuine kindness, Jaffna is an unforgettable experience. The city’s transport network makes sightseeing, shopping, and temple visits effortless.
Why Visit Jaffna
- Rich Tamil cultural heritage and traditions.
- Warm and welcoming local hospitality.
- Historical temples and colonial landmarks.
- Delicious regional cuisine and fresh seafood.
Travel Highlights
- Well-connected transport for easy exploration.
- Unique festivals like the Nallur Kovil Festival.
- Peaceful coastal landscapes and islands.
- Blend of tradition, faith, and beauty.
Places to Stay in Jaffna
Discover comfortable hotels, guesthouses, and boutique stays near the Nallur Kovil and across Jaffna. Compare prices, read reviews, and book your perfect stay below.
Tip: Book early during the නල්ලූර් උත්සවය season (August – September) — accommodations fill up quickly!
යෝජිත කියවීම: ශ්රී ලංකාවේ සංචාරය කිරීමට වඩාත් ආකර්ශනීය ස්ථාන
යාපනයේ නැරඹිය යුතු ස්ථාන
From ancient kovils and Dutch-era forts to peaceful islands and scenic lagoons, Jaffna is filled with culture, history, and coastal charm. The region reflects a unique Tamil heritage and spiritual atmosphere — every site tells a story of devotion and resilience. Explore sacred temples, colonial landmarks, and vibrant local markets for an authentic northern Sri Lankan experience.
රවිඳු දිල්ෂාන් ඉලංගකෝන්
ශ්රී ලංකා සංචාරක පිටු වල සම-නිර්මාතෘ සහ අන්තර්ගත ප්රධානියා ලෙස, අප ප්රකාශයට පත් කරන සෑම බ්ලොග් සටහනක්ම විශ්මයජනක බව මම සහතික කරමි.
