Nallur Festival 2026 – Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Festival, Jaffna 2026 Dates

Nallur Festival 2026 dates: Sunday, 16 August – Saturday, 12 September 2026 (25 days) at Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, Jaffna.
Flag Hoisting (Kodiyetram) on 17 August, Chariot Festival (Ther) on 9 September.

நல்லூர் கந்தசுவாமி கோவில் வருடாந்த மஹோற்சவம் 2026.

நல்லூர் திருவிழா 2026 திகதிகள்: ஆடி 16 (ஞாயிறு) முதல் ஆவணி 12 (சனிக்கிழமை) 2026 வரை (25 நாட்கள்) நல்லூர் கந்தசுவாமி கோவில், யாழ்ப்பாணத்தில். கொடியேற்றம் ஓகஸ்ட் 17, தேர் திருவிழா செப்டம்பர் 9.

Nallur Festival 2026 Dates / Event Calendar

Nallur Temple Address:

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Kovil Road, Nallur, Kovil Road, Jaffna,
Northern Province, 40000, Sri Lanka.

FAQ – Nallur Festival 2026 

When does the Nallur Murugan Festival 2026 start and end?
The festival begins on 16 August 2026 with the Vairavar Santhi and runs for 25 days, concluding on 12 September 2026 with the Vairavar Shanthi Festival.

What is the Kodiyetram and when does it take place?
The Kodiyetram is the sacred flag hoisting ceremony that officially opens the festival. In 2026 it takes place on the morning of 17 August, a Monday.

When is the Chariot Festival (Ther Thiruvila) in 2026?
The grand Chariot Festival, known as the Ther or Irathotsavam, takes place on the morning of 9 September 2026, starting at 6:15am.

What is the Theertham ceremony?
The Theertham, or Water-Cutting Ceremony, is one of the most sacred closing rituals of the festival. In 2026 it takes place on the morning of 10 September at 6:15am, followed by the flag lowering that same evening.

What is the significance of the Velvimanam (Golden Chariot)?
The Velvimanam, also known as the Golden Chariot or Thanga Ratham, is one of the most visually spectacular events of the festival. It takes place on the evening of 6 September 2026 at 4:45pm.

Are non-Hindus and tourists welcome at the festival?
Yes. Visitors of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed to attend and experience the festival. Respectful behaviour and appropriate dress are expected at all times.

What should I wear to the Nallur festival?
Women are encouraged to wear a saree or modest traditional clothing. Men traditionally wear a veshti, with a bare torso observed during religious ceremonies.

Can I attend the festival if I am not Tamil?
Absolutely. The Nallur Murugan Festival welcomes people of all nationalities and faiths. Many international visitors attend each year specifically to witness this unique cultural and spiritual experience.

Which is the single most important day of the festival to attend?
Most devotees and regular visitors would point to the Ther Thiruvila on 9 September as the defining moment of the festival. However the Velvimanam evening on 6 September and the Theertham on 10 September are equally powerful in their own right.

Where is Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil located?
The temple is located in Nallur, Jaffna, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most significant Hindu temples in South Asia and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each year. Read more about Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Is there a specific time I should arrive for the main events?
For the Chariot Festival and Theertham, both beginning at 6:15am, arriving early is strongly advised as crowds gather well before the ceremonies begin. Evening events typically start around 4:45pm.

Where can I find the official festival programme?
For the most up to date timings and announcements, refer to the official Nallur Kandaswamy Devasthanam communications directly.
Temple Facebook Page | Website

Nallur Festival 2026  – Every Special Day That Matters

There are very few places in the world where you can feel history, faith, and community all at once. Jaffna’s Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil festival is one of them. Every year, for 25 days, this corner of northern Sri Lanka becomes something truly difficult to put into words — and 2026 is set to be no different.

It all begins on 16 August with the Vairavar Santhi, a quieter, deeply meaningful ritual that opens the sacred season before the main celebrations take hold. The following morning, 17 August, the Kodiyetram — the flag hoisting — goes up, and from that moment, the festival is alive.

What follows is 25 days unlike anything else. Morning and evening poojas fill the air with devotional music and the scent of incense, while Lord Murugan is carried through the temple in processions that have remained largely unchanged for generations. The Mancham on 26 August draws particularly large crowds, as does the Kailasa Vaganam on 5 September — a procession that tends to stop people in their tracks, regardless of whether they’ve seen it before.

The 6 September brings two remarkable events. The morning sees the Kajavalli and Mahavalli Festival, and by late afternoon, the Velvimanam — the golden chariot — takes to the streets. If you are only able to attend one evening, many long-time visitors would point you to this one.

By the time the Sapairatham rolls around on 8 September, the atmosphere in Nallur has reached a kind of sustained intensity that is hard to describe. Then comes 9 September — the Ther Thiruvila, the grand chariot festival. Hundreds of hands on the ropes, the slow movement of the great wooden chariot through narrow streets, the sound of the crowd — it is the kind of moment that stays with you.

The festival closes with equal meaning. The Theertham on the morning of 10 September and the Kodi Irakkam that same evening bring a sense of completion rather than ending. The Poongavanam on 11 September and the final Vairavar Shanthi on 12 September round off what has been, for many who attend, one of the most memorable experiences of their lives.

If you plan to attend, dress modestly out of respect — women in a saree or traditional dress, men in a veshti or sarong, with bare torso observed during religious moments. Beyond that, simply come with an open mind. Nallur tends to do the rest.