Trincomalee celebrates Kumbam festival

[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 October 2004, 17:05 GMT]
Hindus held the Kumbam festival in Trincomalee Saturday evening on the completion of "Navarathiri" (Nine Nights) celebrations. Kumbam festival, unique to Trincomalee, was first introduced in Trincomalee by Indian (Punjabi) troops brought by the British to construct the naval dockyard after they captured Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), sources said.

Since then Hindus in Trincomalee annually hold the Kumbam festival, sources said.

Kumbam, made up of silver pot decorated with margosa leaves and other materials is taken on head by devotees who fast for nine days praying the Goddesses Thurga, Lakshimi and Saraswathie, each for three days in the nine day-Navarathiri celebrations of Hindus. Goddess Thurga represents Courage, Goddess Lakshimi Wealth, and Goddess Saraswathie-Education.



Kumbam in front of Pathirakali Amman Temple