Jaffna Saivites observe Chiththirai Paruvam rites

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 April 2008, 12:05 GMT]
Saivites in Jaffna peninsula in their thousands observed Chiththirai Pa'ruvam (April Full moon day rites) in which offerings are made to one’s late mother, by bathing in 'holy waters'. It was observed with significance in Villu'ndi Theerththakea'ni near Jaffna town and Oo'ra'ni Theerththakea'ni in Valveddiththu'rai.


Sri Lanka Army (SLA), for the first time in several years, permitted people to observe this rite in areas of High Security Zones (HSZs). SLA has been consistently refusing to permit residents to carry out the rites for several earlier years.

Thousands of Saivites bathed in the holy water of Villu'ndi Theerththakkea'ni near Jaffna Fort, offering cooked food for their ancestors.

In Valveddiththu’rai in Vadamaraadchi, Saivities in their thousands bathed in Oo’ra’ni Theerththam of the Palk Strait, close to which SLA troops were posted in their sentry points.

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Dvora gun boats patrolled in Valveddiththu’rai seas near Oo’ra’ni while thousands of Saivites bathed and observed Chiththirai Pa’ruvam rites.