Among the distinguished guests gracing the event is the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, underlining the cross-cultural significance of this sacred gathering.
The sacred water, drawn from the revered Saryu River in Ayodhya, India, marks the auspicious beginning of a journey destined for the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya.
India has initiated the process of sending sacred Sarayu river water to Sri Lanka for the construction of the revered Sita Amman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Sita.
The decorated car went around important streets of Woraiyur in Tiruchi before returning to its base. A special puja was performed to Goddess Vekkaliamman after the temple car reached its base.
The festival was held on Friday at midnight in the temple with much fanfare. The sight of devotees carrying 16-foot-long kavadis and stepping on the Theemithi (fire) made the onlookers enthralled.
The festival will start with flag hoisting from 9.55 am to 10.19 am at Mithuna Laganam. The celebrations will last for almost a month, from April 12 to April 23.
The 12-day annual Chithirai Festival at Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu's Madurai will commence on April 12 with the hoisting of the holy flag, the temple administration announced on Wednesday.