11th August 2018 08:58:53 Hours
As a part of the ongoing “Mahotsavam” (Annual Grand Festival) - 2018 of the Historic Mamangam Pillaiyar Kovil, Batticaloa, the Chariot Festival (Sapparam) was held with the gracious presence of the Commander Security Force (East), Major General Santhusitha Pananwala in the morning on Friday, 10 August 2018.
Mamangam Pillaiyar Kovil is one of the oldest Kovils that is believed to be belonging to the periods of 2nd to 3rd Century AD. It is believed to be built at the exact spot where "Rama" performed his prayers to Lord Siva.
The Chariot festival and the procession commenced at the auspicious hour inside the Kovil and eventually the huge and heavy Chariot carrying the statue of God Pillaiyar was paraded around the Mamangam Pillaiyar Kovil, pulled by thousands of devotees. The Sacred Area of the Kovil was very densely jammed with anxious devotees with reverence and religious fervour from all the areas of Eastern Province and other parts of Sri Lanka.
Security Force Headquarters (East), facilitated this occasion as a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation. The troops of 10 GR Battalion, 231 Brigade along with 5(V) SLAWC conducted a ‘Dansela’ (free eatery) for the devotees at the Kovil premises with a view to enhance the cross cultural understanding and religious harmony in the area.
