India has agreed to facilitate the travel of Sri Lankan pilgrims to Chennai on a ferry to participate in the 'Aarudraa Dharshana Festival' in Tamil Nadu, the External Affairs Ministry said today.
According to the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, India was approached by Lord Shiva devotees in northern Sri Lanka, who had expressed a desire to visit the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram to participate in the 'Maarkazhi Thiruvaathirai' (Aarudraa Dharshana Festival).
The festival starts from December 24January 3, 2018.
In response to the request, India has agreed to facilitate the travel of pilgrims on a ferry from Kankesanturai (near Jaffna) to Chennai.
"We expect this will permit a large number of Sri Lankan Tamil pilgrims to undertake this important and auspicious pilgrimage," Kumar said.
This is a major festival at a particularly sacred temple for both Indians and Sri Lankans.
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