<span style="color: #222222;">In Sri Lanka, the annual festival at Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna is attracting thousands of Hindu pilgrims from within the country and abroad. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">During the 25-day festival, thousands of Tamil Hindu devotees attend the rituals in worship of Lord Murugan, Valli and Devanai Amman. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The colourful festival includes vibrant chariot processions, rhythmic drumming, dancing and acts of self-mortification.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> Colourfully decorated chariots are used for the transportation of the Gods. The festival in Jaffna began last Thursday with the sacred flag hoisting ceremony attended by thousands of devotees. </span>