NEW DELHI: The Central Government on Thursday has agreed to facilitate the travel of Sri Lankan pilgrims, through a ferry from Kankesanturai, near Jaffna, in northern Sri Lanka to Chennai.
The pilgrims, who are devotees of Lord Shiva, have expressed their desire to visit the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram town in Tamil Nadu. They will participate in the 'Maarkazhi Thiruvaathirai' (Aarudraa Dharshana Festival), which will be held from December 24, 2017, to January 3, 2018.
A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official said: "In response to their request, we expect this will permit a large number of Sri Lankan Tamil pilgrims to undertake this important and auspicious pilgrimage."
The temple festival is celebrated and also considered sacred by both Indians and Sri Lankans.